Breastfeeding Help

Support from other moms may help new mothers stick with a practice that provides health benefits for their babies. Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for about the first six months of life.
Breastfeeding may help lower the risk of certain illnesses in children including ear infections, asthma, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.

In a new study from the journal Pediatrics, Australian researchers looked at 501 moms who took part in first-time parent support groups. The researchers categorized the groups according to when the moms stopped breastfeeding. They found that peer influence had an effect on length of breastfeeding. Women who belonged to a group in which many moms had stopped by six weeks were more than twice as likely to quit between six weeks and six months than those in a group where more women continued breastfeeding for longer.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, new moms can find breastfeeding support from lactation consultants, who they may find through hospitals or birthing centers. They may also find support group meetings for moms through the La Leche League organization.
IÕm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.