World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7! The global campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage action to support breastfeeding women. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years of age or older.
“Breastfeeding has so many benefits. For the baby, it helps establish their immune system and digestive system. It really is the perfect food for them,” said Emily Egbert, lactation consultant at AdventHealth Littleton.
The theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All. According to the CDC, 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend to. One way AdventHealth Littleton supports breastfeeding is through our lactation consultants, who are available to patients throughout their stay.
“We always want to get patients who choose to breastfeed started on the right path,” said Diane Short, lactation consultant at AdventHealth Littleton. “It’s common for a mom to struggle in the very beginning. We’re here to help and set them up for success long term.”
That’s why the support doesn’t end once moms head home. Our lactation consultants are available long after a patient leaves the hospital.
“Patients can call us as much as they need to at no charge. I always tell a mom that even months down the road I am still here to help,” said Diane.
That help is critical in supporting breastfeeding long term. While statistics show 84% of infants are breastfed at some point in their lives, that drops significantly once an infant is six months old. Only 60% of infants are still being breastfed at that age, and by one year, it drops to less than 40%.
“We know the breastfeeding journey doesn’t end when you first get the hang of it. So much changes over time, especially once an infant starts getting teeth, eating solids, and weaning. We are here to help patients through all of it,” said Emily.
For more information on breastfeeding support at AdventHealth, click here.
