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Congratulations on the birth of your baby! What an exciting time for your family's
life!
Hi, I'm Dr. Teresa Muñoz, part of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Team at Kaiser Permanente
in Northern California, and I'm here to talk to you about breastfeeding.
I'm sure you've heard that breast milk is the perfect food for you baby. However,
many moms get conflicting advice. And often wonder: How do I know if I'm making enough
milk? Should I supplement with formula? How can I breastfeed in public? Is breast milk
really better than formula?
We know there's a lot to think about, but just know this: breast milk has everything
your baby needs.
We encourage you to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of your baby's life
-- and to continue to breastfeed for a year, if it's comfortable for you and your baby.
Studies show that breastfed babies grow up having fewer illnesses. Breastfeeding can
also help prevent childhood obesity and diabetes, among other diseases.
There are also many benefits for the mom. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian
and breast cancer.
And both the mother and the baby benefit by developing a close bond through skin-to-skin
contact.
In short: the longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits for you and your baby.
We know that you may have questions about breastfeeding, or you may have challenges
as you and your baby adjust. We're here to support you with your most important job:
being a mom. We have dedicated staff to help you breastfeed every step of the way. Talk
to us. Talk to other moms. This is a precious time for you and your baby, and breastfeeding
is one of the ways you can give your baby a healthy start.
Learn more about raising healthy children by stopping by the Health Education Center
at your local Kaiser Permanente facility. Register at kp.org/mydoctor to gain access
to secure features like emailing your doctor. If you prefer to view this and other health
information in Spanish you can visit our dedicated website.