We live in a culture where a majority of young women and men have not seen newborns breastfeeding.

Increase your knowledge by attending a breastfeeding class, watching a breastfeeding video (such as Dr. Jack Newman’s Visual Guide to Breastfeeding at www.drjacknewman.com), and going to a breastfeeding support group meeting such as La Leche League. Better yet, ask a close friend if you could watch her nurse her baby. When your baby is born, you will have a better understanding of how to breastfeed.

During pregnancy, your breasts may increase in size and appear more rounded. Some women begin to leak a clear to yellowish, thick substance called colostrum from their breasts. Colostrum is your first milk. Your body begins to produce colostrum at around 20 weeks of pregnancy. Whether you leak or not, colostrum is being made. After your baby is born, your breasts should become fuller and heavier by at least day five.

The power of breast milk

Breast milk is designed to provide nutrition and immune factors to babies. The properties within breast milk change over time to meet the baby’s specific nutritional needs. For example, mothers of premature infants make higher calorie milk that mothers of term babies. This allows premature babies to grow well on less milk volume. How smart our bodies are!

Another incredible part of breast milk is antibodies. Antibodies fight off infections and illnesses. When babies are born, they do not have the ability to produce many antibodies. Babies were designed to receive these antibodies directly from their mother’s milk. When a lactating woman is exposed to bacteria and viruses, commonly found in everyday life, her body makes antibodies that protect her from getting sick. These same antibodies are placed into her milk and then given to the baby as the baby breastfeeds. These wonderful antibodies help prevent the baby, who is also exposed to the same bacteria and viruses, from getting sick. Powerful stuff!

Colostrum and breast milk provide critical immunity factors to babies. Formula preparations do not contain antibodies, which is why research has shown that formula-fed infants have more illnesses, including ear infections, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, to name just a few. Breast milk continues to provide both adequate nutrition and antibodies throughout your baby’s first year of life and longer. Protection continues into adulthood for this new baby. There is an association of reduced gastrointestinal illnesses such as Crohn’s and Celiac disease, Type 1 and 2 diabetes, and obesity. Breastfeeding is the foundation of a lifetime of good health.

The power of breastfeeding for mothers

Immediately after delivery, breastfeeding helps protect mothers against postpartum bleeding. There are two hormones (oxytocin and prolactin) released during breastfeeding. Oxytocin causes contractions of the uterus, which causes blood vessels within the uterus to likewise contract. Thus breastfeeding helps reduce the probability of excessive bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding is designed to occur every few hours, which is often enough to keep the uterus contracted. Over the next six weeks, the uterus decreases in height and size while going back down to its normal position in the pelvis.

One recent study found a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer in women who had breastfed. Not breastfeeding or only breastfeeding for a short time, were associated with an increased risk for postpartum depression.

So now that you know the reasons to breastfeed, let’s discuss what you can do to help your baby get off to the best start. Frequent and effective breastfeeding in the early weeks of your baby’s life help program your breasts for an adequate long-term milk supply. This is why so many lactation experts are advocates for exclusive breastfeeding during the first weeks after birth. Some women talk about the work of exclusive breastfeeding. I believe many things in life require work and commitment, and in this instance the results are confidence along with the joy of giving your child the best start in life. So, read, meet other breastfeeding moms, and get ready for the most unique and wonderful time of your life.

By Linda Yandell Smith RN, MSN, IBCLC Co-author of The Triumphant Child-Caring for your newborn: How to enjoy the first 60 days as a new mom.

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