Preparing for the birth of your child is an exciting time. From picking out a wardrobe for your new bundle of joy to decorating the nursery, expecting mothers have a lot of new experiences and decisions coming their way! One of the most important decisions you will make as a mother is what to feed your baby – starting with whether or not to breastfeed.

Many mothers may find it difficult to breastfeed, but breastfeeding is very important for your child’s health and well-being. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk provides newborns with a combination of antibodies, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients for the baby’s health and cognitive and physical development.

Additionally, studies have shown that breast milk:
 

• Helps protect infants from allergies, diseases and infections
• Is easily digestible for infants
• Protects your child from obesity

Not only is breastfeeding beneficial for infants, but it also provides health benefits for mothers, too! Studies show that mothers who breastfeed, recover from childbirth quicker than most mothers who choose not to breastfeed.

Additional health benefits for mothers can include:
 

• Losing pregnancy weight faster
• Reduced rates of breast and ovarian cancer
• Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Here at AltaMed, we provide support groups for new and expecting mothers. The best part of this service is that you don’t need to be a patient to join our classes or groups – so, your friends and family are more than welcome to join you! This course will help answer questions such as, “How will I know my baby is getting enough milk?” and “Why is correct positioning so important?” It will also dispel some of the myths that may keep some moms from breastfeeding.

We have seven locations between Los Angeles and Orange Counties that offer lactation support groups to help mothers learn the correct way to breastfeed and help them overcome any problems they may encounter. Mothers who attend will receive a breastfeeding starter kit to help with any needs at home.

For more details on how to join one of our lactation support groups or to schedule a lactation consultation, call (888) 499-9303 or click here for more details. We want to ensure our new and expecting mothers have all the tools and information they need for a happy and healthy baby.