Breastfeeding: Why It Matters, Its Benefits, and Where to Find Support in New Castle, PA
Welcome moms and moms-to-be! Considering how you will feed your newborn is just one of the many important choices you’ll make in the coming months. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options, or you’re encountering some challenges, you’re in the right place. Here in New Castle, PA, and surrounding communities, you’ll find a network of support to help you every step of the way. Let’s explore why breastfeeding matters, its incredible benefits, and where you can find the encouragement and resources to succeed.
While scientific research consistently supports that breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants, we know and respect that the choice is ultimately yours to make. Within this article, we hope you will find the information you need to make an informed choice that aligns with your family’s needs.
In this this article we aim to highlight the importance of breastfeeding, explore the many benefits it offers to both mom and baby, and provide helpful resources for breastfeeding support right here in New Castle.
Are you struggling to understand when your newborn is hungry? See this article on understanding and responding to feeding cues.
How Your Body Prepares to Nourish Your Baby
From the time of conception, your body has nourished your growing baby. During pregnancy you have likely noticed breast changes as your body prepares to nourish baby outside the womb. This is not only normal, but a great sign that your body is preparing for lactation. As your pregnancy progresses, your body begins to produce colostrum— a thick yellowish liquid, packed with essential nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors that help protect your newborn from infections and promote early development. Often referred to as "liquid gold," colostrum is the perfect first food for your baby, providing everything they need in the first hours and days. After the birth of your baby, and the release of the placenta, your body begins the next stages of lactation in which transitional, and later, mature milk is produced.
“Often referred to as “liquid gold,” colostrum is the perfect first food for your baby, providing everything they need in those crucial first hours and days.”
Breastfeeding is more than nutrition. Breastfeeding is a bonding experience between mom and baby with a multitude of short and long term health benefits for both members of the dyad.
Early Benefits of Breastfeeding
Imagine the moment you meet your baby. Now envision your baby being placed skin to skin on your bare chest as you meet one another for the first time outside the womb. This time is important not only for bonding but for the health of both mother and baby. Let’s talk for a moment about the benefits of immediate and uninterrupted skin to skin contact.
For mothers, skin to skin reduces the rate of postpartum hemorrhage, and promotes faster birth of the placenta. These benefits are thanks to oxytocin — usually known as the ‘love hormone’. Oxytocin plays a huge role in not only childbirth, but also in lactation, and bonding.
For your baby, skin to skin helps them to regulate their temperature and heart rate. You can generally expect less crying when holding your baby skin to skin due to the safety they feel in your arms. Your baby will naturally make their way to your nipple within the first hour or so of life. This critical early breastfeed helps ensure your breastfeeding journey gets off to the best start possible.
Nursing dyads who were able to experience this early skin to skin and first breastfeeding were less likely to end their nursing journey early, and these babies were less likely to be given formula in the hospital.
Doula Tip: You can include immediate, uninterrupted skin to skin on your birth plan, and as long as baby is stable, many common newborn procedures can be delayed or performed on your chest.
Breastfeeding — An Investment In Your Health
Breastfeeding is a world health priority, and it’s promotion is essential to improving the health and well-being of both individuals and communities worldwide. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers.
One of the significant long-term benefits of breastfeeding for mothers is a reduced risk of certain cancers. Studies have shown that women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. By breastfeeding, you are not only providing essential nutrition for your baby, but making an investment in your own long-term health.
Research also indicates that breastfeeding can lower a mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and contribute to a reduced risk of heart attack. These are just a few of the many health benefits that make breastfeeding a valuable investment in your long-term well-being.
Breastfeeding — Benefits For Your Baby
It is important to know that breastmilk provides the perfect balance of nutrients—proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals—necessary for a baby’s growth and development. Your breastmilk is always changing to accommodate your infant’s needs.
Breastfeeding is protective for your infant in many ways. One of the most significant benefits of feeding human milk to infants is the reduced risk of diarrhea, a condition that can be particularly concerning for newborns and young babies. The gut pH of breastfed babies is more acidic than that of formula fed infants, which helps to prevent the growth of pathogens and supports the development of a healthy gut microbiome. Other benefits include:
a lower risk of developing chronic conditions later in life, such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity.
potentially, higher IQ scores later in childhood.
extra protection against SIDs.
a reduced risk of illness including respiratory, ear, and gastrointestinal illnesses. This is due to the antibodies and other protective factors in breastmilk.
supports the mother baby bond, and in turn promotes emotional and psychological development.
This list, while not exhaustive, highlights the important role breastfeeding plays in promoting your baby's overall health and development.
Your Feeding Options & Common Myths
There are various options when it comes to how you will feed your baby.
In terms of health benefits, feeding your baby directly at the breast is the top choice, followed by providing your own expressed breast milk. Donor milk from an accredited milk bank comes next, and lastly infant formula.
We hope you will feed your baby in the best way for your family. However we do hope to clear up some common myths we hear surrounding the reasons many people choose not to try or to quit breastfeeding earlier than they had hoped.
MYTH: My baby will sleep better if I feed formula.
While newborns are known for many things, being great sleepers is not one of them. Breastmilk being the perfectly designed food for your little one is quickly digested. All babies wake and feed frequently, this is normal and healthy. Humans are carry mammals and our babies are designed to stay close and feed frequently. Here at Raw Roots Doula Services we can help you navigate this stage and optimize sleep for you and your bundle of joy.
MYTH: Breastfeeding is TOO hard.
Breastfeeding is natural and instinctive… for babies. For many parents though, there is a learning curve. We know that breastfeeding without support can be difficult, and many parents quit earlier than desired due to pain, milk supply concerns, or difficulty fitting breastfeeding into their busy schedules. If you would like to breastfeed, you deserve the support to do so. At Raw Roots Doula Services, we are here for you, offering prenatal education, feeding assessments, and follow up support.
MYTH: Breastfeeding can worsen postpartum depression.
We do not currently have evidence to support this theory, and have actually discovered that breastfeeding may be protective against postpartum depression. There are many safe options available for parents struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) including medication, therapy or support groups. Please seek help if you or your partner are struggling. Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers many resources on their site.
MYTH: Dad or other caregivers won’t be able to bond with the baby.
Partners and caregivers can bond with baby in various other ways including giving baby a bath, doing skin to skin, playing, reading or singing to baby. If you choose to express breastmilk and offer bottles, dads and other family members can feed these to baby.
If you discover that breastfeeding is not a good fit for your family, know that formula is safe, practical, and nourishing option.
Modern infant formulas are carefully designed to provide all the essential nutrients babies need to grow and thrive. While there are some risks, as with anything, infant formulas are the best thing to feed your baby when feeding human milk is not possible.
When choosing an infant formula, we have some tips:
Consult Your Pediatrician: They can recommend a formula that meets your baby’s specific nutritional needs.
Follow Guidelines: Always prepare formula according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your baby’s safety.
Stay Responsive: Watch for cues from your baby to know when they are hungry or full, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Try Paced Bottle Feeding: This method mimics breastfeeding, allowing babies to control the flow of milk and eat at their own pace. To learn more checkout this resource on paced feeding.
Our certified lactation counselor can help with getting your baby to accept a bottle, safely dry up your milk supply, or assist you with weaning, providing the smoothest transition possible. If you desire to combo feed we can help you find a balance between breastmilk and formula feeds that works best for you.
Cow’s milk, almond, soy or cashew milks, toddler formulas, and water are NOT appropriate choices for babies.
The decision to breastfeed, formula feed, or use a combination of both is personal. What matters most is that your baby is well-nourished and that you feel supported and confident in your choice.
If you’re unable to breastfeed or choose formula for other reasons, know that you’re still providing your baby with the love and care they need to thrive. Feeding is about connection, nourishment, and doing what’s best for your unique situation.
Where to Find Support
Finding great support can help you achieve your feeding goals.
We recommend parents seek support from a CLC or IBCLC when experiencing feeding difficulties.
Raw Roots Doula Services LLC.
Our CLC offers in-home lactation support and prenatal education within 50 miles of New Castle, PA. It can be difficult to leave home with your newborn, let us come to you! We also offer virtual support services. To view our lactation packages click here.
Many common feeding difficulties can be resolved with a detailed assessment. Our lactation counselor will listen to your whole story, observe a breastfeed, and make helpful suggestions.
If we identify any concerns, we’ll connect you with the appropriate resources or refer you to a qualified care provider for further support.
Local Hospitals
UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital Lactation Center - 412-530-6382
UPMC Horizon Birth Place - 724-983-7193 or 724-983-7962
AHN Lactation Consultants:
West Penn: (412) 578-7030
Jefferson (412) 469-5475
Forbes: (412) 858-4195
Wexford: (878) 231-5303
St. Vincent: (814) 452-7732
Lactation Support at The Midwife Center - 412.321.6880
Your Local WIC Clinic
The WIC program provides breastfeeding education and resources, including access to lactation consultants and breast pumps, for qualifying families. Visit your local WIC office to learn more.
WIC Lawrence County Adagio Health peer counselor — 1-800-942-9467
Online Resources
Here are some trusted online resources to support you on your breastfeeding journey:
Global Health Media - Educational videos on breastfeeding techniques and overcoming challenges.
La Leche League International - Offers guidance, articles, and access to local support groups to help mothers worldwide.
Our Milky Way - Center for Breastfeeding, Healthy Childrens Project’s Blog.
WHO - The World Health Organization is a great place to find the latest, evidence based infant feeding guidelines.
Support Groups
Joining a breastfeeding support group can be incredibly encouraging. Organizations like La Leche League or local mom meetups offer a space to connect with others, share experiences, and receive advice. Check community boards or online groups for meetings in the area. Local hospitals often host groups as well.
How a CLC Can Help You Overcome Breastfeeding Challenges
Certified Lactation Counselors are trained professionals who can assist with many common breastfeeding problems. We listen to your concerns, observe a feeding and offer helpful suggestions.
We have many tips and tricks for getting your baby to latch deeply, and nurse actively. When needed, we offer weighted feeds to determine how much milk your baby is transferring during a feeding.
Our lactation assessments are 60-90 minutes long, allowing ample time for asking questions, and receiving the help you need.
We offer the support and encouragement needed to help our clients meet their goals and feel confident in their abilities to nourish their babies.
A CLC can assist with common breastfeeding concerns such as:
Latch & Positioning
Sore Nipples
Milk Supply Concerns
Weight Concerns
Nursing Strikes
Returning to Work
Weaning
Pump Sizing
Hand Expression
Alternative Feeding Methods
Flat/Inverted Nipples
Identifying Feeding Cues
If you are experiencing pain with nursing, contact us today for a comprehensive feeding assessment.
We encourage you to seek support throughout your breastfeeding journey. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone—there are many resources available, and our compassionate lactation counselor is ready to support you every step of the way.
Connect with Raw Roots Doula Services on Instagram & Facebook or fill out our contact form to get in touch.
