Emily Marrison: Breastfeeding benefits mother and baby
A few months ago, my husband introduced me to the work of Simon Sinek. He is author of “Start With Why” and has one of the top three TED Talks with more 62 million views.
His theory is the most successful leaders and businesses have one very important thing in common. They know why they exist and why what they are doing is important and needed. Then they inspire others to action by communicating the why before focusing on the how and the what.
Therefore, I thought it was incredibly fitting the 2023 National Breastfeeding Month Theme is “This is Our Why.” There are so many reasons breastfeeding is the best choice for mothers and their babies. Breastmilk is the optimal source of nutrition and is tailor-made for babies, providing all the vitamins, proteins and fats they need for the first six months. Breastmilk helps babies build a strong immune system and protects against illness and disease. Breastfeeding keeps babies healthy by reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma, leukemia and infant mortality.
The benefits also extend to mothers. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breast and ovarian cancers. But breastfeeding is not easy for all families, especially those facing crises and emergencies. While 83.2% of infants start out breastfeeding, only 24.9% of babies are exclusively breastfed at 6- months of age.
Investing in breastfeeding programs and policies is a beneficial investment for any country. According to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, every $1 invested in enabling a mother to breastfeed generates $35 in economic benefits. Low rates of breastfeeding add more than $3 billion a year to medical costs for the mother and child in the U.S.
The Proving Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act was signed into law at the end of 2022. It expands the legal right to receive pumping breaks and private space to nearly 9 million more workers. Nearly all workers are now covered by the federal lactation break time and space requirements for breastfeeding employees to pump at work.
Though it has been well over a decade now, I still feel like breastfeeding my children was one of the best decisions and greatest blessings in my life. I stayed home with each baby for 12 weeks and then went back to work, which is very common for working moms. I never considered feeding infant formula - even though I worked for Abbott Nutrition creating Similac and other formulas. Abbott’s stance was always clear that breastmilk is best. I was thankful Abbott provided a special lactation room for pumping so I could continue to breastfeed.
There are many scientific and economic reasons to support breastfeeding. I’m sure these were a small part of my decision. But my biggest why was that my mom was a strong proponent of breastfeeding. For me, being able to connect with my babies through breastfeeding was a tremendous gift I will always cherish.
To celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Coshocton County Women Infant Children (WIC) is hosting the annual Baby Expo. It will be from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Coshocton County Commissioners Community Room, 637 Chestnut St. This event offers an opportunity to expectant and new parents or caregivers of children up to 1-year-old to learn about the services in the community that promote the overall health and well-being of their newest additions.
Today I’ll leave you with this quote from La Leche League: “Breastfeeding is an instinctual and natural act, but it is also an art that is learned day by day.”
Emily Marrison is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 740-622-2265.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: For many reasons, breastfeeding best choice for mothers and babies.
