Breastfeeding 101

Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful way for mothers to nourish and bond with their newborns. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advocates breastfeeding due to its numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. 

Benefits include:

• Breast milk is a perfect blend of essential nutrients, antibodies, and hormones that promote healthy growth and development. It helps protect against infections, reduces the risk of chronic illnesses like asthma and obesity, and contributes to optimal brain development.
• For mothers, breastfeeding aids in postpartum recovery by helping the uterus contract and reducing bleeding. 
• Breastfeeding has been linked to a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes in mothers. 
• The emotional bond formed during breastfeeding strengthens the connection between the mother and baby. 

 

Recommended Timelines for Breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization both recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first four to six-months of your baby’s life. Once your child reaches six-months, it then becomes appropriate to start incorporating other appropriate complementary foods.

Guidelines for Storing Breast Milk 

• Use breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers to store expressed breast milk. Make sure the containers are made of glass or plastic and have tight fitting lids.
• Never store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags that are not intended for storing breast milk.
• Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored:
  • At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 6 hours.
  • In the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
  • In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable. Although freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended storage times are important to follow for best quality.

If possible, we do recommend that our mothers breastfeed their babies. However, there are situations where this is not possible, or it might not be the best fit for a mother and her baby. In those cases, we are here to help support you both so that your baby gets the nutrition they need and you can establish a healthy and happy feeding routine. 

For questions or any other concerns, Augusta Pediatrics can be reached at (706) 868-0389. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.