Breastfeeding Awareness Month: New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition – Expressing At Workplace Info
N.J. Resources: ZipMilk.org – Dept. of Health – NJ Lactation Consultants
Sources: NJ Family.com; Gerber.com
Can Breast Milk Make Your Baby Smarter? A 30-year study in The Lancet Global Health says yes.
Researchers in Brazil followed nearly 3,500 babies and found those who were breastfed until at least their first birthdays grew up to have higher IQs (by four points), higher levels of education (an extra .9 more years of school) and more financial success (one-third greater than the national average) than infants breastfed for less than a month — and that’s after controlling for 10 variables that could impact a child’s future.
Researchers believe long-term exposure to DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid shown to boost learning ability, made the difference. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says New Jersey breastfeeding rates are slightly better than average: 56.2 percent of NJ babies are still breastfed at six months old compared to 49.4 percent of babies nationally.
Breastfeeding should not hurt. Do not wait to get support if you feel pain or discomfort while trying to breastfeed.