Why Do Doctors Tell Me ‘Breast Is Best’?
Breast milk is nature’s supply of the best food for babies during their first year of life, as it helps them grow healthy and strong. Breastfeeding also helps infants who are too young to be vaccinated, as it helps them to build immunity. It’s best to breastfeed/nurse your baby for at least six months and to keep breastfeeding for 12 months, even as the baby transitions to eating solid foods.
Some of the reasons “breast is best” and superior to baby formula include:
- Nutrition: Breast milk is the right temperature and has the perfect amount of protein, sugar, fat, and vitamins that babies need to grow healthy and strong.
- Immunity: The antibodies in breast milk help protect your baby from many illnesses and other types of harm. Breastfed babies tend to get sick less often than those fed with formula, avoiding ailments like ear or lung infections or UTIs.
- Reduced risk of SIDS: Although it is uncommon, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is less likely to occur among breastfed infants than formula-fed babies, although the reason why is still unclear.
- No need to buy formula: As a parent, the cost of diapers, toys, and hygiene products can be a new expense you never really anticipated fitting into your budget. Breast milk is free, and the more you breastfeed, the more milk your body will make.
- Easily digestible: Breastfed babies tend to have less gas and upset stomachs than formula-fed babies.
- It helps the mother, too: Breastfeeding increases the oxytocin hormone, also known as the bonding chemical, between mother and child. It also burns extra calories and can help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. Other benefits include lowering your risk for diabetes, breast/ovarian cancer, and more.
There are instances where breastfeeding is not recommended. Mothers who take certain medications, have specific medical conditions, or use illicit drugs should not breastfeed because they can pass potentially harmful substances through their breast milk. Learn here how to keep your breast milk healthy and safe for your newborn.
For more information about breastfeeding, please visit the California Department of Public Health WIC breastfeeding page.
If you are an expectant or new mother (and in some cases, single fathers are eligible) please call (661) 862-5422 or contact the WIC program for benefits or breastfeeding support.
About Clinica Sierra Vista’s WIC Program
- At Clinica Sierra Vista, our WIC Program is known for its client-centered approach and customer-friendly staff.
- Each month, over 43,000 participants are benefited by our services.
- With over 100 staff members, including 7 Registered Dietitians, 12 Degreed Nutritionists, 7 International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, and over 26 Certified Lactation Educators, our participants receive the highest quality of nutrition care and breastfeeding support available.
- 80% of our staff members are bilingual, enabling us to provide culturally sensitive counseling and education.
- We have 25 locations in Kern County and 5 locations in Fresno County.
