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Prenatal Education

During your pregnancy, you may have questions about lactation and how to prepare for your journey. Keep reading... 

Bonding

  • After 3 months of human milk feedings (chest, breast, or pumping), parents were more aware of their baby's needs than formula-fed parents.

  • After 12 months of human milk feeding, parents have a positive and richer relationship with their infants compared to those who never human milk fed.

  • Infants who drink their parent’s milk for over half their feeds have stronger emotional bonds with their parents than formula-fed infants. 

  • Chest/breastfeeding parents get slightly more sleep than formula-feeding parents because human milk-fed babies stop crying faster than formula-fed babies.

Decreasing Stress & Anxiety

  • If you have any concerns about your mental health, please call your healthcare provider or call 988 (free mental health hotline).

  • It is normal to feel nervous to take care of your baby. It will take time to adjust to a new schedule, roles, and a feeding routine once at home. 

  • "Baby blues" after childbirth include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first 2 to 3 days after birth and may last up to 2 weeks. 

  • If you are feeling depressed, speak with your healthcare provider. Help is available! Your body releases certain hormones when nursing, chest/breastfeeding, and pumping can reduce depression.

  • Parents who human milk feed have lower stress hormones.

  • Animal research has shown that chest/breastfeeding made the parent more resistant to stress than non-lactating animals.

Financial Benefits

  • Providing your baby with your milk will save YOU money. Formula costs more than food for a lactating parent. 

  • Human milk feeding lowers the costs of healthcare! Children who were chest/breastfed are less likely to get sick throughout their lives.

  • Human milk feeding prevents poor health outcomes more than other health initiatives.

Fun Facts

  • In 1792, Prussia mandated that parents must chest/breastfeed to protect their children. The research at the time showed the extensive health benefits of lactation. 

  • Justus von Liebig created the infant formula to provide an alternative to wet nursing.

Health Benefits for YOU

  • Chest/breastfeeding or pumping can: 

  • Lower the risk of postpartum hemorrhage after birth.

  • Stop periods and prevent pregnancy, but is NOT an effective form of birth control. 

  • Lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

  • Lower lifetime risks for obesity and diabetes.

  • Decrease chances of heart disease and stroke when older.

Health Benefits for YOUR Infant

  • Infants with only human milk have Feeding your infant your milk has many health benefits that last throughout childhood and possibly into adulthood.

  • Human milk feedings will:

  • Prevent newborn and child deaths more effectively than any other intervention.

  • Decrease the chance of sudden infant death (SIDS) by 15-36%.

  • Decrease risks of being overweight or having high blood pressure as a child and adult.

  • Decrease risks of developing insulin-dependent diabetes.

  • Decrease your infant's asthma and atopic dermatitis risks.

  • Decrease the risk of stomach problems (acute gastroenteritis) by half to a third.

  • Protect babies from infections.

  • Protect infants from certain childhood cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia.

  • Help develop strong jaw bones, decrease jaw and tooth problems, and prevent osteoporosis.

  • Help infants have normal hemoglobin levels for the first six months.

  • Increase the rate of infant brain development.

  • Increase teen and adult IQ scores by 2-3 points than formula-fed infants.

Nutritional Facts

  • Unlike formula, your milk will change as your child grows to meet their changing needs.

  • The nutrients in your milk are balanced and easier for your baby to digest than formula.

  • You can trust that your milk is fresh and does not contain harmful bacteria.

  • Human milk is 

  • Packed with ALL the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your infant needs during the first six months of life. 

  • Contains lactose, the main carbohydrate in human milk, a large part of an infant’s diet for the first six months.

  • Contains immune factors that prevent gut problems (like diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease) for your baby.

  • The baby absorbs fat from your milk better than other animal’s (cow, goat, etc) milk.

  • The iron in human milk absorbs better (50%) than in cow’s milk, iron-fortified products, or infant cereals.

  • Human milk-fed infants show greater intestinal variation compared to formula-fed infants.

Planning Tips

  • Planning Tips

  • The more you learn about human milk feeding before your baby is born, the more likely you are to chest/breast/pump feed once your baby is born. 

  • Have you never human milk-fed or had a bad first-time experience? Have a support group to help you through your chest/breast/pump feeding journey.  Suppose you cannot attend an in-person class. In that case, online support groups can help you build relationships with other parents going through the same thing. 

  • Before giving birth, ask your provider about moderated group discussions, group prenatal visits, systematic case management, or referral to a support organization. 

  • Consider contacting local lactation support groups. 

  • Chest/breast/pump feeding is easier for those with support (doula, partner, or family member) in the birthing room. What's a doula? Check out Dona. 

  • What you read online will influence your chest/breast/pump feeding-related attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, leading to a longer time of chest/breast/pump feeding. Make sure you are following influencers that support your feeding decisions.

  • Are you thinking about returning to work and continuing to chest/breastfeed or pump?

  • Have you found a chest/breast pump to meet your needs? 

  • Ask your lactation or health provider for some suggestions. 

  • Did you know, your employer is required to give you breaks for you to pump?

  • Have you made a plan with your employer for work breaks?

  • Know your rights. 

  • Look at this resource by Michigan Breastfeeding Network: Federal Comparison - MIBFN Workplace Protection for Pregnant, Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Parents.

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