It’s National Breastfeeding Month, and in celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is highlighting breastfeeding’s benefits and urging expectant mothers to give it some thought.
According to Dr. Brannon Traxler, director of public health at DHEC, “There are so many positives that come with breastfeeding, which is why we encourage expectant mothers to consider breastfeeding so the mother and child can take advantage of these benefits.”
The CDC states that breastfeeding is beneficial for mothers and babies, and that breast milk is generally the best source of nutrition for infants. Breast milk adapts as a baby grows to meet their changing nutritional requirements.
Mothers who are breastfeeding can get information and help through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program of South Carolina. WIC also offers peer counselors to help mothers with newborns learn safe and effective breastfeeding techniques.
The CDC also lists five outstanding advantages of breastfeeding, such as:
- Breastmilk being the best source of nutrition for most babies
- It protects babies against many short-term and long-term illnesses
- It provides babies with antibodies for up to six months
- It can reduce a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure
Visit WIC’s Breastfeeding Support page for further details and information about breastfeeding.
For additional information about National Breastfeeding Month, you can visit the US Breastfeeding Committee’s website.
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