Breastfeeding and immunizations are two of the best ways parents can help their babies stay healthy, according to public health nurses at the local health department.
“We encourage mothers to breastfeed and immunize their babies,” said Patricia Fralick, director of Family and Community Health Services for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “And it’s important that moms and dads get their immunizations too, especially flu shots. Babies under 6 months old cannot get flu shots. So when family members are immunized against seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses, that helps babies from getting the flu.”
Flu can cause serious illness in babies, she said.
The health department will be offering flu shots in the fall and will announce times, dates, and locations soon.
To support new moms who breastfeed, health department staff are working together with MSU Extension offices and local hospitals in Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties. A breastfeeding peer support counselor is on-call 24 hours a day in each of the four counties to help and support new breastfeeding moms by answering questions and providing encouragement.
In recognition of World Breastfeeding Month (August), the International Lactation Consultation Association recommends these actions for family and friends to support breastfeeding mothers:
— Look for ways to help breastfeeding mothers with household chores and other tasks so that she will be free to breastfeed her baby.
— Respect breastfeeding mothers’ infant feeding choices by checking with them before feeding their babies any foods or drinks.
— Don’t expect breastfed babies to eat and sleep the same way that your formula fed babies did.
— Listen to breastfeeding mothers, but do not rush to tell them what they are doing wrong. Sometimes just listening is the best help you can give breastfeeding moms.
— Keep in mind that new parents can be sensitive. The way you say something can be just as important as what you say.
— Encourage breastfeeding moms if the going gets tough. Remind them that they are doing what is right for their baby.
— Breastfeeding is a learned skill. If moms or babies are having difficulty with breastfeeding, suggest kindly that the mother contact the lactation counselors or consultants at their local hospital or the breastfeeding peer support counselor at the health department.
Recent studies show that babies who are exclusively breastfed until they are 6 months old are less likely to develop a range of infectious diseases including ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses, and have fewer hospitalizations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, some studies suggest babies who are breastfed have lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Older children who were breastfed have lower rates of diabetes, certain types of cancer, overweight and obesity, high cholesterol and asthma. T
he Health Department of Northwest Michigan is mandated by the Public Health Code to promote wellness, prevent disease, provide quality health care, address health problems of vulnerable populations, and protect the environment for the residents and visitors of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties. For more information about breastfeeding, contact your health care provider or local health department office.