9 tips to help make breastfeeding easier
This natural process can come with challenges, but these expert-backed strategies can help.
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Breastfeeding may have many benefits for baby and parent. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding helps protect against asthma, ear infection, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The practice may also help reduce the chances of developing diseases like type 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia (a type of blood cancer), eczema (an condition that causes inflammation and rashes on the skin), and lower respiratory tract infections. Research also shows that the practice may benefit parents who breastfeed by lowering the risk of both breast and ovarian cancers.
At the same time, breastfeeding may pose some challenges. Here are some tips to make the process easier from Erin Young, MD, a primary care physician in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Sources: Pediatrics. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. March 2012. + 15
- Pediatrics. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. March 2012.
- Office on Women’s Health. Making the decision to breastfeed. March 14, 2019.
- Babic A, Sasamoto N, Rosner BA, et al. Association Between Breastfeeding and Ovarian Cancer Risk. JAMA Oncology. April 2, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfeeding for Cancer Prevention. August 1, 2019.
- Mayo Clinic. Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia). May 15, 2018.
- La Leche League. Breastfeeding with Sore Nipples. Accessed June 18, 2021.
- La Leche League. Pain: General. Accessed June 18, 2021.
- La Leche League. Positioning. Accessed February 24, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently Asked Questions: Breastfeeding. May 28, 2020.
- Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Our Work. Accessed June 18, 2021.
- Mayo Clinic. Mastitis. July 22, 2020.
- University of Michigan Health. Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples. Current as of October 8, 2020.
- Chow S, Chow R, Popovic M, et al. The Use of Nipple Shields: A Review. Front Public Health. 2015;3:236. Published 2015 Oct 16.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Ibuprofen. [Updated 2023 Nov 15].
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Naproxen. [Updated 2019 Jun 30].
- Mayo Clinic. Breastfeeding and medications: What's safe? August 24, 2022.
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