{"id":5496,"date":"2018-08-15T04:46:36","date_gmt":"2018-08-15T04:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eatrightpa.org\/?p=5496"},"modified":"2021-10-30T03:37:52","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T03:37:52","slug":"breastfeeding-the-amazing-benefits-and-downplayed-struggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/2018\/08\/15\/breastfeeding-the-amazing-benefits-and-downplayed-struggles\/","title":{"rendered":"Breastfeeding: The Amazing Benefits and Downplayed Struggles"},"content":{"rendered":"
By: Kelly R. Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n
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The first week in August is \u201cWorld Breastfeeding Week\u201d and this year women all over the world opened up on social media to promote the \u201cliquid gold\u201d that is the most natural way to feed our precious infants. This year\u2019s theme was \u201cBreastfeeding: Foundation of Life.\u201d After decades where formula was more popular and less women opted to nurse, and despite recent <\/span>political battles over the World Health Organization\u2019s recommendations<\/span><\/a>, hospitals and OB\u2019s are now promoting breastfeeding more than ever due to all of its research-based benefits. However, with something being so natural, nutritious and beneficial for both mom and baby\u2019s mental health, the challenges of breastfeeding are often not discussed and many mom\u2019s feel guilty when breastfeeding doesn\u2019t work out for them. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Here we will discuss the guidelines and benefits as well as what can make the process difficult, so that new parents know what to expect.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Guidelines<\/b><\/p>\n

The <\/span>World Health Organization<\/span><\/a> (WHO) states that, globally, 820,000 lives would be saved each year if babies were breastfed exclusively the first 6 months of life. The also state it is \u201cthe \u00a0normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. While the <\/span>American Academy of Pediatrics<\/span><\/a> (AAP) has the same recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding, they differ in recommending breastfeeding continue with complimentary foods to one year minimum versus the two suggested by WHO. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Benefits <\/b>(via WHO & AAP)<\/span><\/p>\n