Latest information on infant breast/chestfeeding

Caring for an infant is as challenging as it is rewarding. New parents are bombarded with advice all while getting to know their new, tiny human. Recommendations and guidelines for taking care of an infant can change over time, especially as new information comes to light.

Despite being a natural process, breast/chestfeeding may be difficult for some and may feel confusing and overwhelming. Plus, breast/chestfeeding is hard work. Thankfully, there is now greater awareness of the well-known health benefits :

• Protecting infants from short and long-term illnesses through antibodies in human milk.
• Lowering the infant's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and later development of asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• The ability of human milk to adjust to the needs of a growing infant, starting with thick colostrum, which promotes cell growth and develops into mature milk to keep baby nourished and hydrated.
• Human milk can change month-to-month, day-to-day and even throughout a single feeding to meet the baby's nutritional demands.
• Decreasing the lactating parent's risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Boosting prolactin and oxytocin, feel-good hormones.

For some new parents, breast/chestfeeding as a sole source of their child's nutrition may not be possible due to medical conditions or delivery circumstances. For the parents who can feed their child solely with human milk, the cost of formula is avoided, but there are other expenses to consider. Breast/chestfeeding may take time away from professional opportunities, add stress to parents at home or limit moments of self-care.

Additionally, producing human milk takes energy. Lactating people should eat about 500 additional calories every day in the first six months. However, calorie needs for nursing depends on the extent of breast/chestfeeding. This could mean $10 to $25 extra dollars spent on groceries each week.

To satisfy your hunger and additional calorie needs, consider these nutrient dense snacks:

There are many considerations when deciding how to feed a baby. Often, it's a process of trial and error. If breast/chestfeeding is possible, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends infants be exclusively fed human milk until six months of age. If mutually desired by the lactating parent and infant, the WHO encourages continuation of human milk feeding for two years or longer.

Every family will find what works best for them. Breast/chestfeeding and pumping human milk are among the options available. Families should work with their care teams to determine the best options for them and their baby.

For more information about healthy eating while lactating or any other nutrition concerns, please contact your local VA Registered Dietitian. Many VA facilities also offer lactation services and programs.

Contact your local VA to inquire about VA resources to help you with breast/chestfeeding supplies, education, and support.

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