A recent U.S. government ad campaign using scare tactics to tout the benefits of breastfeeding has led to more questions than answers and has inspired some fiery debate. Dr. Joan Meek, a pediatrician and author of the American Academy of Pediatrics' new mother's guide to breastfeeding, answers your questions and explains the benefits of breastfeeding.

What are the most common questions about breastfeeding?

Is breastfeeding going to hurt? It should not hurt if the baby is latched on properly and positioned well at the breast.

Am I going to be able to do it? Yes, most women can breastfeed. Before your baby is born, get advice and tips from books and from your pediatrician. Once the baby is born, a hospital nurse or lactation specialist can help with proper latching-on techniques. For more information, see Quick tips for the new mom, below.

How do I know the baby is getting enough milk? You'll know the baby is getting enough milk by checking the diapers. Breastfed babies have lots of stools; often they stool every time they eat because breast milk has a natural laxative effect. Also, your pediatrician will check the baby's weight at each visit to make sure the baby is gaining enough weight.

How long should a mother breastfeed?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months (that means no water, juice, formula or solids are needed). After that, continued breastfeeding through at least the child's first birthday, with the addition of solids. The mother and baby should decide when to wean. What I try to teach mothers is that any breastfeeding is better than none at all, and that the longer the baby is breastfed, the greater the benefits will be. And breastfeeding does not have to be exclusive. Some mothers may choose a combination of breastfeeding and infant formula.

NBC VIDEO Government ads advocate breastfeeding June 14: NBC's Lisa Daniels reports on a new government advertising campaign saying that breastfeeding is not only natural, but that not breastfeeding could actually harm your baby. Today show

What are the advantages of breastfeeding? Why is it being emphasized as a health benefit?
Breastfeeding is the gold standard for infant feeding and provides optimal growth, development, and protection from infection and perhaps from some chronic diseases, such as diabetes. The fats found in breast milk help to promote optimum development, and studies have shown that breastfed babies have slightly higher IQs than formula-fed babies.

Babies are designed to be able to tolerate breast milk better than formula. The bacteria that grow in the baby's intestine are different if the baby is breastfed, and this makes the baby less likely to contract severe diarrhea. Infant formula is an acceptable alternative to breastfeeding, but should not be viewed as an equal choice to mother's breast milk. Babies can be happy, healthy, and formula fed, but they probably will have more infections and may be more prone to chronic diseases as they get older.

What advice do you have for a mother who breastfeeds her first child, but thinks she won't have time to breastfeed the second?
Breastfeeding is actually cheaper and more convenient than mixing formula. Breast milk is always available, always at the right temperature, always ready to feed, and even comes in an attractive package. Nighttime feedings are especially more convenient — no stumbling through the house to mix or heat formula. Traveling with a breastfed baby is a lot easier, too. No cans, bottles and cleaning supplies to worry about.

What are you likely to see down the road when it comes to differences between a breastfed child and one who is not?
Some studies point to reduced risk of diabetes, obesity, certain childhood cancers, and even asthma and allergies when you compare groups of breastfed babies with groups who were not. The longer a baby is breastfed, the better the health outcome.

Questions from viewers
A mother with a five-month-old son writes:
Q: I was wondering if it is okay for me to try to lose the weight I gained during pregnancy now or do I need to wait until I stop nursing? I have heard that it can affect milk production if you lose a lot of weight. Is this true?
A: We don't recommend women significantly reduce calories during breastfeeding. It's more helpful to increase exercise. Most women will actually lose weight in spite of what they're eating. Many feel they can practically eat anything they want, which is unlike any other time in life! Enjoy it!

Banan from Michigan writes:
Q: How many calories does breastfeeding actually burn? I've heard so many different numbers, ranging from 100 calories a day to 500 calories. Does it matter how many times you breastfeed in one day?
A: It's really how much total breast milk the baby takes in over the period of the day. The average mom will make about 24 to 28 ounces of breast milk a day. It takes about 500 calories to make that much milk. Some of those calories come from fat stored during the pregnancy or previously, and some come from the mother's daily nutrition.

Laurie from Connecticut, who was able to breastfeed her son only for the first three weeks, then switched to a combination of breast milk and formula, writes:
Q: When is enough enough with a woman's attempts to nurse her child? I don't dispute all the research that shows the enormous benefits of breastfeeding, but I do also feel that it comes more naturally to some. In those early weeks of motherhood, when fatigue and baby blues are very real things, trying to breastfeed can start to do more harm than good.
A: If it gets to the point that the mother is experiencing severe stress or fatigue trying to breastfeed, she may want to rethink her options. Some mothers may decide to do a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding, while others may decide to formula feed their babies. It is critical to try to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Often mothers get fatigued from trying to take care of other children or household responsibilities, plus breastfeed the baby. Having someone else around to help with meals, laundry, dishes, and other children will allow the mother to concentrate on breastfeeding. When the baby breastfeeds, hormones are released from the mother's brain that not only cause milk production, but also contribute to an intense bond with the baby, and a sense of well-being. Pain, fatigue, and stress can actually interfere with those hormones, slowing milk production.

Liz from Texas writes:
Q: I've been told that it's the sucking motion, not the breast milk, that reduces the likelihood of ear infections. Is that true?
A: Probably more likely a combination of the two. Suckling at the breast is different than sucking on a bottle. Protection from ear infections also results from the infection-fighting components of the breast milk itself. Research shows that as few as four months of breastfeeding helps a baby to have fewer infections for approximately the first year of life.

MORE FROM HEALTH

Health Section Front

Emotional overeater quits sweets, drops 308 lbs. Nutrition SOS: Lose the beer belly, more Have a diet dilemma? Ask Joy Bauer! Fountain of youth? Red wine gives up secrets From pills to pillows, when to replace your stuff Skeptics question ‘breast cancer-free’ baby claim Condoms for climate change? Don't take a vacation from your diet Where you live affects your health care Transplant recipient completes Yosemite ascent Health Section Front   Add Health headlines to your news reader: