August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the powerful bond between moms, babies, and to recognize the people and resources that help make breastfeeding possible.
While breastfeeding is natural, it’s not always easy. Many new moms face challenges that can make it difficult to get started or stay on track. With the right education, support, and community, families are more likely to meet their feeding goals, and give babies a strong, healthy start.
Why Breastfeeding Matters
Breast milk is the best food for most babies. It gives babies the perfect mix of fat, protein, and vitamins they need to grow. Plus, it helps protect babies from getting sick, especially in their first year.
Breastfeeding also helps babies build a strong bond with their mom. Skin-to-skin contact during feedings can calm babies, regulate their temperature, and help to foster the special relationship between moms and babies.
Breastfeeding is good for moms, too! Breastfeeding helps your body recover from birth, and lowers the risks of certain health problems, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. It can also make it easier for moms to return to their pre-pregnancy weight.
Whether you nurse for one day, one month, or one year, every feeding matters. The important thing is to do what works for you and your baby.
The Struggles Many Moms Face
While breastfeeding has many benefits, it also comes with challenges, especially in the early days. Every mom and baby is different, and it’s completely normal to need help.
Some common challenges include:
- Painful latching: if a baby doesn’t latch properly, it can cause sore, cracked nipples or pain with feeding.
- Milk supply: some moms worry they’re not making enough milk, while others may make more than their baby needs, which can be hard to manage.
- Tongue or lip ties: these conditions make it hard for a baby to latch or suck properly.
- Sleep and feeding schedule stress: newborns eat often, sometimes every two to three hours, which can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
- Postpartum anxiety or depression: hormone changes, lack of sleep, and stress can take a toll on mental health.
- Pressure to be perfect: many moms feel they’re failing at breastfeeding if it doesn’t go smoothly, but the truth is you’re doing your best and that’s enough.
These struggles are common, and they’re all treatable. With care, support, and good information, most families find a way forward that works for them.
Meet Hancock Health’s Lactation Consultants
在漢考克健康中心， we have certified lactation consultants who are trained to help. They work with moms before, during, and after their hospital stay, and can:
- Help your baby latch properly
- Talk through milk supply issues
- Teach you how to pump and store milk
- Help you build a feeding plan that works for your family
Hancock Regional Hospital is also proud to be one of just over 600 hospitals in the U.S. recognized as a Baby-Friend Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA. This designation reflects our commitment to safe, evidence-based breastfeeding support for every family.
You can schedule a one-on-one visit with a lactation consultant at any time, even after you leave the hospital. Hancock Health even offers a Milk Bank to provide extra milk supply to families who need it.
What is a Milk Bank?
Sometimes babies, especially those born early, need extra help. If a mom can’t provide her own milk, donor milk is a safe and healthy option. A milk bank takes breast milk donated by approved moms. The milk is carefully tested, cleaned, and prepared so it’s safe to give to sick or fragile babies. This milk can help save lives.
Hancock Health is proud to be an official Milk Bank Express Site. This means local moms can conveniently pick up their Milk Bank orders right here, instead of traveling to Indianapolis or further. It’s just one more way we’re making it easier for families to get the nourishment their babies need, close to home.
How You Can Help
Even if you’re not a mom or currently breastfeeding, there are ways you can take part in Breastfeeding Awareness Month:
- Donate milk, if you’re eligible
- Share resources with friends and family who are expecting a baby
- Attend one of our free, informal Breastfeeding Support Group sessions
- Ask for help if you’re a breastfeeding mom who needs support
We’re here for you, no matter where you are in your feeding journey.
SOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/php/about/index.html
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/breastfeeding