This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on breastfeeding. Maria Catrina D. Jaime, MPH, CPH, research coordinator for CTSI, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, talked about the importance of breastfeeding.
EB: Good morning, Catrina. I’m so glad we get to sit down and talk about breastfeeding. Since we have been working together, I’ve watched you through your pregnancy, and now your little boy, Sean, is 2-years-old. I appreciate you sharing your personal experience for this month’s health page and helping to point out the benefits and also the reality of breastfeeding.
MCDJ: Yes, you are right, Ms. Bush. Breastfeeding was a wonderful but also challenging experience for me. Research shows the health benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mom. A woman’s breast milk is rich with vitamins and minerals. Unlike formula, it has antibodies that can help strengthen a baby’s immune system and protect him or her from getting sick. Pregnancy changes a woman’s body, and breastfeeding can help the body recover.
EB: Catrina, what’s the best piece of advice you could give to breastfeeding moms or to women who may be thinking about breastfeeding?
MDCJ: That’s a great question. What I found most helpful was to be open about breastfeeding and talk to other breastfeeding moms. Hearing their stories made it easier for me to talk about my joys and challenges with breastfeeding—from getting my baby to latch onto the breast, to discomfort with having my milk come in and to the bonding experience with my child. I also asked my health care providers for support and information. I talked with a lactation nurse at the hospital and at my baby’s first follow-up appointment. I could ask questions and get hands-on support on how to breastfeed.
EB: I’m glad you had all this support. Every mom and baby is different. Having support really seems important, and we have those support systems available here in Pittsburgh. There are important resources on this page like the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle and the Three Rivers Mothers’ Milk Bank. I encourage all women to ask for support or to ask questions and share concerns they may have.
MCDJ: That is so true, Ms. Bush. It took me some time to get used to breastfeeding my baby and get comfortable with my new body. Breastfeeding takes a lot of time and energy. When I went back to work, I needed to learn how to use a breast pump. This was another adjustment. But having support and resources really allowed me to ask specific questions and learn more about how to include breastfeeding and pumping into my routine. Every mother has her own unique breastfeeding experience, whether she does it for two days or two years.
EB: Giving babies the best health foundation possible is fundamental to kids growing up to be as healthy and happy as they can be. It sounds as if breastfeeding can establish this foundation. Next month, we will be talking about palliative care, the other end of the life spectrum. I know support will continue to be an important theme when managing a person’s end-of-life care. If anyone has any questions or connections to resources, send an e-mail to partners@hs.pitt.edu.
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