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A mother’s milk could make her child healthier
By ALLEN JONES
When it comes down to it, a mother’s milk is tailor-made for her baby.
Locally, there is no one who may be more familiar with the benefits of breastfeeding than Penny Piercy, the local La Leche League group leader. The Tomball nonprofit group provides information and “mother-to-mother” support to those who are interested in breastfeeding their babies.
Now 41, Piercy breastfed all four of her children. She is currently breastfeeding her 8-month-old son.
“There are many benefits to breastfeeding,” she explained. “A mother’s milk provides the specific nutrients her baby needs to grow both in size and maturity.”
One important benefit of breastfeeding is the antibodies in mother’s milk that protect the baby from illness. According to Piercy, one study on ear infections showed that infants exclusively breast-fed for four or more months had half the number of acute otitis media episodes as did those not breastfed at all.
“Breastfed babies also have a reduced risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, as well as a decreased likelihood for allergies and asthma later in childhood,” Piercy said.
Gary DeBakey, a Tomball obstetrics and gynaecology physician, said there are indeed medical benefits to breastfeeding babies, mainly boosting the number of antibodies which help a baby’s immune system.
“How long a mother breastfeeds becomes a bonding issue,” he added. “Doctors would like to see a mother breastfeed for six to eight weeks, but there is not maximum time. It is really up to each individual. I have known several other who breastfed their child up to 3 years old. But if they are growing teeth, I’m sure that can become painful.”
When it comes to breastfeeding, a healthier baby may have a trickle down effect on the working mother.
“Breastfed babies are healthier babies; thus, mothers who are employed outside the home are likely to miss fewer days of work to tend to sick babies,” she said. “Some of the physical benefits of breastfeeding for the mother included reduced rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Most mothers find breasfeeding saves them time and energy, as well as money. Of course, both mothers and babies enjoy the close relationship fostered by breastfeeding.”
Piercy was among more than 280 La Leche League volunteers, health care provider and parents who attended the conference. In attendance was Marian Tompson, one of the founders of La Leche League International. Thompson and six other women funded the league in 1956 after recognizing a need to provide accurate information and support to breastfeed successfully.
“Today La Leche League International is represented in 64 countries and it is recognized internationally as the world’s foremost authority on breastfeeding,” Piercy said.
But when it comes to breastfeeding successfully, Piercy said mothers define their own success.
“Different mothers have different goals,” she said. “One mother may plan only to breastfeed during maternity leave and then to switch to using bottles; another may plan, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, to breastfeed exclusively for six months and then to continue breastfeeding after the introduction of solids until her baby is a year or more. It is not possible to breastfeed ‘incorrectly’ as such, however there are approaches to breastfeeding that will help or hinder a mother in meeting her breastfeeding goals.”
Unfortunately, she said, many mothers are given bad advice about breastfeeding that interferes with their ability to successfully meet their own goals.
“That’s often why mothers contact La Leche League,” she said. “We then try to offer information based on the recommendations of our medical advisory board and on the experiences of other breastfeeding mothers. Mothers use that information to make the choices that will work for their families and best fit their personal situations.”
Dr. DeBakey said new mothers who are thinking of breastfeeding their babies should check with their doctors to make sure any prescribed or over-the-counter medications, such as diet pills, they may be taking will not pass through the milk and harm the child.
“Approximately 10 percent of medication can cross through the breast,” he said.
DeBakey said women must also watch out for breast infections which become more common in women who nurse because bacteria can cause engorgement of the breast. Also, blocked milk ducts can cause swelling and fever.
DeBakey said baby formulas available in grocery store isles have improved over the years, but certain formulas can cause a baby to develop colic.
“It is generally trial and error when it comes to selecting the best baby formula,” he said.
Women who do decide to breastfeed, he said, should consult their doctors and groups such as the Tomball La Leche League chapter.
The Tomball group was started in 2002. Members come from the Tomball, Magnolia, Pinehurst, Spring, Klein, Cypress and northwest Houston. Typically, two to 10 mothers may attend a group meeting in any given month.
“Mothers also contact group leaders by telephone or e-mail for help with their breastfeding problems,” Piercy said.
Piercy began attending La Leche League meetings in 1993, when her oldest child was an infant.
“At that time, I was eager as a new mother to find a social activity I could engage in with my young son at my side,” she said. “I found a community of women who supported my breastfeeding and parenting decisions -- support that is hard to come by in the culture at large.”
Piercy went on to become a group leader so that she could offer the same help and encouragement she received to other new mothers. She was accredited as a group leader by the La Leche League in 1995.
“I continue to volunteer because mothers continue to need support,” she said.
Locally, there is no one who may be more familiar with the benefits of breastfeeding than Penny Piercy, the local La Leche League group leader. The Tomball nonprofit group provides information and “mother-to-mother” support to those who are interested in breastfeeding their babies.
Now 41, Piercy breastfed all four of her children. She is currently breastfeeding her 8-month-old son.
“There are many benefits to breastfeeding,” she explained. “A mother’s milk provides the specific nutrients her baby needs to grow both in size and maturity.”
One important benefit of breastfeeding is the antibodies in mother’s milk that protect the baby from illness. According to Piercy, one study on ear infections showed that infants exclusively breast-fed for four or more months had half the number of acute otitis media episodes as did those not breastfed at all.
“Breastfed babies also have a reduced risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, as well as a decreased likelihood for allergies and asthma later in childhood,” Piercy said.
Gary DeBakey, a Tomball obstetrics and gynaecology physician, said there are indeed medical benefits to breastfeeding babies, mainly boosting the number of antibodies which help a baby’s immune system.
“How long a mother breastfeeds becomes a bonding issue,” he added. “Doctors would like to see a mother breastfeed for six to eight weeks, but there is not maximum time. It is really up to each individual. I have known several other who breastfed their child up to 3 years old. But if they are growing teeth, I’m sure that can become painful.”
When it comes to breastfeeding, a healthier baby may have a trickle down effect on the working mother.
“Breastfed babies are healthier babies; thus, mothers who are employed outside the home are likely to miss fewer days of work to tend to sick babies,” she said. “Some of the physical benefits of breastfeeding for the mother included reduced rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Most mothers find breasfeeding saves them time and energy, as well as money. Of course, both mothers and babies enjoy the close relationship fostered by breastfeeding.”
Piercy was among more than 280 La Leche League volunteers, health care provider and parents who attended the conference. In attendance was Marian Tompson, one of the founders of La Leche League International. Thompson and six other women funded the league in 1956 after recognizing a need to provide accurate information and support to breastfeed successfully.
“Today La Leche League International is represented in 64 countries and it is recognized internationally as the world’s foremost authority on breastfeeding,” Piercy said.
But when it comes to breastfeeding successfully, Piercy said mothers define their own success.
“Different mothers have different goals,” she said. “One mother may plan only to breastfeed during maternity leave and then to switch to using bottles; another may plan, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, to breastfeed exclusively for six months and then to continue breastfeeding after the introduction of solids until her baby is a year or more. It is not possible to breastfeed ‘incorrectly’ as such, however there are approaches to breastfeeding that will help or hinder a mother in meeting her breastfeeding goals.”
Unfortunately, she said, many mothers are given bad advice about breastfeeding that interferes with their ability to successfully meet their own goals.
“That’s often why mothers contact La Leche League,” she said. “We then try to offer information based on the recommendations of our medical advisory board and on the experiences of other breastfeeding mothers. Mothers use that information to make the choices that will work for their families and best fit their personal situations.”
Dr. DeBakey said new mothers who are thinking of breastfeeding their babies should check with their doctors to make sure any prescribed or over-the-counter medications, such as diet pills, they may be taking will not pass through the milk and harm the child.
“Approximately 10 percent of medication can cross through the breast,” he said.
DeBakey said women must also watch out for breast infections which become more common in women who nurse because bacteria can cause engorgement of the breast. Also, blocked milk ducts can cause swelling and fever.
DeBakey said baby formulas available in grocery store isles have improved over the years, but certain formulas can cause a baby to develop colic.
“It is generally trial and error when it comes to selecting the best baby formula,” he said.
Women who do decide to breastfeed, he said, should consult their doctors and groups such as the Tomball La Leche League chapter.
The Tomball group was started in 2002. Members come from the Tomball, Magnolia, Pinehurst, Spring, Klein, Cypress and northwest Houston. Typically, two to 10 mothers may attend a group meeting in any given month.
“Mothers also contact group leaders by telephone or e-mail for help with their breastfeding problems,” Piercy said.
Piercy began attending La Leche League meetings in 1993, when her oldest child was an infant.
“At that time, I was eager as a new mother to find a social activity I could engage in with my young son at my side,” she said. “I found a community of women who supported my breastfeeding and parenting decisions -- support that is hard to come by in the culture at large.”
Piercy went on to become a group leader so that she could offer the same help and encouragement she received to other new mothers. She was accredited as a group leader by the La Leche League in 1995.
“I continue to volunteer because mothers continue to need support,” she said.
League of Mothers
La Leche League members are pregnant or breastfeeding mothers who attend meetings seeking information or support. Anyone who wishes may become a member. La Leche League group leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers (and former group members) who have also undergone a training process to become accredited volunteer counselors. The Tomball group holds mothly support meetings at the Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St. For more information about the local La Leche League, call Piercy at 832-934-2820 or contact co-leader Jeanie Mohr at 281-580-1903.
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