Breastfeeding
The most nourishing and perfect food for your baby is breast milk.
Although breastfeeding is a natural process, learning to breastfeed takes time and practice to master. Breastfeeding can be difficult and stressful for any mom at first, but with support and troubleshooting help from other mothers and lactation consultants through the Pennyrile District Health Department, you can provide your baby with the best possible start.
Your right to breastfeed is protected.
Kentucky Senate Bill 106 gives mothers the right to breastfeed in any public or private location.
Breastfeeding Benefits
Benefits for Baby
- Breast milk is the perfect food for babies. It’s easy to digest and contains all of the nutrients babies need to grow and thrive.
- Babies who are breastfed are less likely to get sick. This is because mothers are able to pass on antibodies to their babies through their breast milk.
- Studies show babies who are breastfed have less frequent:
- Ear Infections
- Stomach Bugs
- Allergies
- Special tissues in the breast can also tell from the baby’s saliva if they’re getting sick, and work to provide specially formulated food for your baby.
- Breast milk provides the perfect nutrients to support healthy brain development, which could lead to your baby having a higher IQ.
- Breastfeeding helps your baby’s mouth, teeth, and face to develop correctly.
- The skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding is comforting to your baby and makes them feel safe
Benefits for Mother
- Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby, build confidence in your ability to parent, and can provide an opportunity to learn about your baby’s likes, dislikes, and cues.
- Breast milk is always ready and the perfect temperature for your baby, so it is convenient for travel or emergencies.
- Breastfeeding saves money AND saves the time you’d use to prepare, warm, and clean bottles.
- Breastfeeding may reduce your chance of getting uterine or breast cancer.
- Producing breast milk to feed your baby uses a lot of calories, so breastfeeding can help you lose the weight naturally gained during pregnancy.
- Since breast milk helps boost your baby’s immune system, breastfeeding moms miss less work due to their baby’s illness.
Breastfeeding FAQ
Learning to breastfeed can be challenging. We’re here to help. Here are some of the most common questions we hear at the Pennyrile District Health Department that we can help with:
- Is my baby getting enough to eat?
- How can my partner or family still have the closeness of feeding if I’m breastfeeding?
- What’s the payoff of breastfeeding?
- Should I supplement with formula?
For the answer to these questions and more, contact us here.
Resources
Here at the Pennyrile District Health Department, we want to provide support and promote longevity for mothers through their breastfeeding journey. We provide local mothers with the following resources:
Health Department
- Local Certified Lactation Consultants
- We have two certified lactation consultants on staff to assist with any issues you may have during your breastfeeding journey.
- These services are available to any mother in the Pennyrile District.
- Contact us to set up an appointment.
- Peer Counselors
- We offer a peer counseling program to any mother in the local area who is qualified for WIC.
- Through this program, mothers in need of support are partnered with mothers experienced in breastfeeding who used to be or currently are receiving WIC benefits.
- Support is available to those who qualify for the entirety of their breastfeeding journey.
- Assistance is available outside of clinic hours typically within 12 to 24 hours.
- For more information on this program or to get involved, contact us here.
- Educational resources
- Various educational resources are available at your local health department to provide support and promote the longevity of breastfeeding. For more information, contact your local health department.
