To the editor:
At Community Health Programs, we are looking forward to World Breastfeeding Week Aug 1-7, when the world honors and learns about the value of breastfeeding. This year’s theme, “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding,” encourages support for all parents in achieving their breastfeeding goals.
With innumerable pressures on families today, one of the gifts we can give parents when a new baby arrives is support. When nursing mothers have this help and support, they are more likely to not just try breastfeeding, but to continue for six months to a year, as recommended by the World Health Organization. This is as important for a single young mother as for a well-to-do, well-connected older mom.
There are innumerable advantages to breastfeeding. After childbirth, breastfeeding supports the expulsion of the placenta and protects against hemorrhage. Breastfeeding promotes the release of oxytocin that supports well-being in mother and child. Breast milk provides all the nutrition a baby needs during the first six months of life. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between infant and mother.
Research shows that a woman’s breast milk changes its nutritional profile daily, even hourly, based on the growing infant’s nutritional needs: brain development, gut health, nervous system and more. Isn’t it amazing that a female body can instinctively respond to those demands?
Here in Berkshire County, we have great breastfeeding initiatives rates: over 90 percent among South Berkshire WIC moms. But many mothers stop breastfeeding early if they lack help, time and privacy. When fathers, partners, families, employers and communities support new mothers, breastfeeding rates and duration increase.
Breastfeeding is a learned skill. New moms need time, practice and encouragement as the process falls into place. CHP Family Services and WIC offer free, one-on-one breastfeeding counseling and classes for all parenting partners, infant nutrition classes, fussy baby classes and more. If breastfeeding is not an option, which we know it might not be, we encourage a mother to speak with her baby’s health care provider about newborn nutrition.
We support women and babies to be their best, healthiest selves. On Friday, Aug 2, from 10 a.m. to noon, CHP Family Services in Great Barrington will host a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. We invite expecting and breastfeeding mothers to join us. Children are welcome.
MaryBeth Merritt, Ph.D.
Great Barrington
The writer is the Pre- and Perinatal Health Educator, Certified Lactation Counselor and Family Health Advocate at CHP Family Services in Great Barrington
