A Doctor's note about Breastfeeding

Aug 28 2023 • 29 mins

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and today we're looking at things from a doctor's point of view.

Breastfeeding isn't always easy and for the best health outcomes the American Academy of Pediatrics( AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with foods for at least two years and beyond as mutually desired. My guest is Dr. Jennifer Schwab. Dr. Schwab is a pediatrician with Rocky Hill pediatrics. She's a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She graduated Coombe laude from the College of Holy Cross and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She serves as Chair of the Connecticut Children's Care Network, an organization of about 200 pediatricians in Connecticut, which focuses on improving the quality and affordability of health care for children and their families, which is a huge problem. She's also the Division Chief of community Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and on the board of directors at CCMC.

We talk about the health reasons to breastfeed for Mom and for the baby. The dr. wants to make sure patients know their goals and she as a doctor tries to help patients to meet those goals. We also talk about peri-partum mood and anxiety disorders.

Resources:

Rocky Hill Padiatrics: Rocky Hill Pediatrics
The Nest collaborative: Nest Collaborative | Lactation Experts | Breastfeeding Help
La leche League: Breastfeeding Support / La Leche League of Connecticut (lllct.org)
Breastfeeding Coalition : Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition - Home (breastfeedingct.org)

State of CT: Breastfeeding Resources for Connecticut Families – United Way of Connecticut – 211 and eLibrary (211ct.org)

LactMed: Medication Safety in Breastfeeding | AAFP

CT Paid Leave: CT Paid Leave Authority (PFMLA)| Home | Official Site