Although most infants receive some breast milk, a majority are not exclusively breastfed or continue to breastfeed for the recommended period. August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the positive effects of breastfeeding for mothers and their children.

“Breastfeeding has many wonderful benefits to mom and baby,” said Julie Hobden, New Beginnings Birth Center Manager at Prowers Medical Center. “When everyone is aware of the benefits, it fosters a supportive environment for the mother, increasing the chance of continued breastfeeding.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies are breastfed for the first six months, with appropriate complementary foods introduced until 1 year of age or older. The World Health Organization also recommends exclusively breastfeeding for six months, but with continued breastfeeding and introduction of complementary foods until 2 years of age or older.

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018, the breastfeeding rate in Colorado for 3-month-olds was 58 percent and only 37 percent by the time infants reached 6 months old. Infants in rural areas are less likely to ever breastfeed than infants in metro areas.

Breastfeeding Benefits

In 2020, 50 percent of mothers at Prowers Medical Center exclusively breastfed from their delivery stay to their discharge from the hospital. Most healthcare professionals today agree that breastfeeding should be the primary form of feeding if the mother is able and willing.

“Breastfeeding during the pandemic is a good thing to do,” Hobden said. “Although it is not shown that breastfeeding prevents babies from getting COVID-19, antibodies that target the virus have been found in breastmilk.”

In general, breastfed babies have lower incidents of ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, wheezing, bronchiolitis, bacterial and viral infections, obesity, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), colitis, asthma and some cancers. For moms, breastfeeding decreases the risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity.

Breastfeeding Barriers

One barrier for breastfeeding moms is the misunderstanding of colostrum. Colostrum is the first form of milk and a thick, sticky substance produced immediately after birth.

According to the Office on Women’s Health, colostrum contains antibodies that babies need to help prevent infections and special proteins that protect the babies’ stomachs from harmful bacteria. Colostrum also contains 10 times more beta-carotene than mature breastmilk and more vitamin E and zinc to develop babies’ skin and eyes.

“A mom’s full milk will come three or four days after delivery, but the colostrum is generally more than enough to sustain the baby for a few days,” Hobden explained. “During this time, supplements for the baby are not necessary.”

Another barrier seen among new mothers is marijuana use and its negative impact on breastfeeding. Although marijuana use is legal in Colorado and many mothers across the nation believe it to help with pregnancy-related nausea, it has harmful effects on developing babies.

The American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) states the metabolization of THC occurs in the liver. THC can cross the placenta and reach the baby’s brain, affecting normal brain development.

The ACOG reports children exposed to marijuana before birth score lower on visual problem-solving, visual-motor coordination and visual analysis when compared to children who were not exposed. Exposure of marijuana can also lead to decreased attention span and behavioral problems in children.

What does this mean for mothers who want to breastfeed? Studies show that THC can be found in breastmilk six or more weeks after the last use. The AAP strongly encourages mothers who use marijuana to not breastfeed for the safety of their newborns. Mothers who are pregnant or women who are thinking about having children should not use marijuana and seek assistance if needed.

The team at New Beginnings Birth Center at Prowers Medical Center offers high-quality labor and delivery support. Staff can help new mothers facilitate their feeding choices and determine what is best for their newborns. For more information, call 719-336-6759 or go to prowersmedical.com/services/new-beginnings-birth-center.