GOT PINK?!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

DID YOU KNOW??!!  Breastfeeding for longer than 1 year can lower breast cancer risk! This benefit decreases for women who nurse less than a year.

The reduction is 4.3 percent for each year of breastfeeding in one meta-analysis and 28 percent for women who breastfeed 12 or more months in another.

How does breastfeeding lower your risk?

–          Making milk 24/7 limits breast cells’ ability to misbehave

–          Most women have fewer menstrual cycles when breastfeeding (including missing  9 months while you are pregnant) resulting in lower estrogen levels

–          Women tend to eat healthier foods and follow healthier lifestyles while breastfeeding

(Limiting smoking and alcohol use)

Currently the American Academy of Pediatric guidelines state to “exclusively breastfeed for about the first 6 months of baby’s life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with introduction of complimentary foods until at least 12 months of age, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.”

All the more reason to breastfeed your babies!!

If you are currently a patient at Pediatric Associates and wish to see our Lactation Counselor, Jenny Desmarais CLC,NCMA call today to make an appointment 207-784-5782.

Jenny Desmarais, Lactation Consultant