Frequently Asked Questions

For women, your risk of both ovarian and breast cancer is reduced. 

-Gestational diabetes, breast feeding reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. 

-You can breastfeed ANYWHERE! No bottles to clean, no formula to milk, no worries about finding a clean source of water. 

For babies,  lowers their risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 

-Breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs. 

-Breastmilk serves as babies first vaccine providing antibodies to protect against disease.

I would really like to see the word "should" removed from our vocabulary. The reality is that every decision we make has pros and cons. You have to make the best decision for your and your family that includes many factors such as support, health, medications, return to work, financial concerns, and the many faucets of the whole person you are.   

#1 It is up to you!! It is your choice, your body, your baby.

#2 Whether you decide to breast feed for minutes, hours, days, months or years there are benefits for both you and your baby! Longer duration does have added benefits, but any breast feeding provides some benefits for you and baby. Simply providing your baby colostrum right after birth is liquid gold for your little one. 

#3 Recommendations by health professionals 

Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend:

• Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months, with no additional solids or liquids.
• Breast feeding with the addition of complementary foods around 6 months.
• Continued breastfeeding until baby's 2nd birthday.

#4. Again, it is your baby, your body, your choice! There are so many ways to feed your baby beyond exclusive breastfeeding. Whether you pump, chest feed, bottle feed, or formula feed, fed is best. 

Let us help you make an informed decision on the best feeding option for the health of you and your baby that is right for your unique family. 

From conception through a little's 2nd birthday is considered the first 1000 days of life. 

https://thousanddays.org/wp-content/uploads/1000Days-Nutrition_Brief_Brain-Think_Babies_FINAL.pdf

The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice oversees the Certified Lactation Counselor® (CLC®) credential. The CLC certification identifies a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to provide breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation. 

Want to learn more about what a CLC can do?

CLC Scope of Practice lists the knowledge and competencies of a lactation health professional that has achieved this credential.

Is a certified health care provider skilled in the Nutrition Care Process. This person has a Science based Bachelors or Masters degree, has completed 1600 hours of supervised nutrition and clinical training, and has passed an exam supervised by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists use evidence based tools for Medical Nutrition Therapy. We conduct a detailed nutrition assessment to determine a specific nutrition diagnosis and identify a nutrition intervention/plan of care to improve patient health. We continue nutrition monitoring and evaluation while patients remain in our care.  We work closely with other health professionals to provide nutrition support and continuity of care. 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a great resource to learn more about Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.