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Breast-Feeding Helps Moms and Babies Studies link breast milk to higher IQs, less asthma and more benefits Carol Hartley, M.D There’s nothing like breast-feeding to put kids on the path to good health. “Breast-feeding is the most precious gift a mother can give to her infant,” says Carol Hartley, M.D., a pediatrician at Kapi‘olani. Breast milk offers many benefits — and some of them may surprise you: Breast-fed children are 20 percent less likely to become overweight adolescents than formula-fed infants, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Breast-feeding seems to make kids smarter. A New Zealand study showed that children breast-fed for at least six months had better IQs, reading and math skills than formulafed children. Breast milk offers building blocks of brain and nerve tissue that don’t always show up in formula. Formula also can’t offer the same protective agents. Breast milk’s ingredients can help head off a wide range of problems. Among them are diarrhea, upper respiratory and ear infections, asthma, leukemia, diabetes and allergies, says Dr. Hartley. Moms win, too. Women who nurse are less likely to get breast and other female cancers. Breast-feeding also helps you lose the pounds you put on during pregnancy, adds Dr. Hartley. And breast-feeding spurs hormones that help to reduce stress. Tips for breast-feeding success While breast-feeding is the natural way to feed a baby, it is a learned technique and requires practice and patience, says Dr. Hartley. She reminds women to keep things in perspective and avoid placing undue pressure on themselves. “Breast-feeding is just one of many opportunities you will have to bond with your new baby,” she says. It’s common for new moms to feel anxious about breast-feeding. Unfortunately, this anxiety can add to the difficulty when problems arise. Sore nipples and concerns about how much milk your baby is getting may make you want to give up. But help is available for these and other common breast-feeding problems. Dr. Hartley offers these tips: Scrap feeding schedules. Breast-fed babies tend to eat more often than formula-fed infants. These frequent feedings stimulate your body to make milk. Just watch for your baby’s hunger cues — sucking motions, mouthing a fist or turning toward your breast. Once he or she is crying, latching on may be more difficult. Check your baby’s position. When your infant latches onto your breast, make sure both lips cover your nipple and most of the dark area around it. This helps prevent nipple soreness. Care for your breasts. When your milk comes in, your breasts may feel painful and swollen. Warm, wet compresses and an over-the-counter pain reliever may help. But, talk with your doctor before using medication. If you have a fever or painful lumps, call your doctor. Tips for Moms Who Work Start the day with a long nursing session so your baby is content during the morning rush. Buy a reliable, comfortable breast pump. Start to pump before you head back to work, and store the milk in the freezer. You’ll feel better knowing you have a back-up supply. Breast-Feeding Class Kapi‘olani offers a two-hour class to help prepare expectant parents for breast-feeding. It covers lactation, advantages and disadvantages of breast-feeding and bottle-feeding, feeding cues and techniques, how babies nurse and problem-solving tips. Fee: $40 per couple