Giving baby a healthy start is the top priority for new parents. For many, this means breastfeeding their newborn. At Westside Medical Supply we support new moms in this effort and recognize the month of August as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Breastfeeding is good choice from an economic standpoint, saving families nearly $1,500 in the infant’s first year. And, healthy babies also mean less down time from work for parents, and reduced medical expenses for the child. According to the United States Surgeon General, “Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia.” It also is beneficial in reducing the risk of the following illnesses and diseases:
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Breast and Ovarian Cancer (in nursing mother)
The purpose of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is to increase understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding and help reduce the stigma that is often associated with a mother’s efforts to give their child the very best. Despite all the benefits for mother and child, there are still many obstacles that nursing mothers face, including:
- Lack of support – Sometimes well-intentioned friends and family members offer input on the subject based on personal preferences, making new moms feel discouraged.
- No networking opportunities – The inability to connect with other nursing mothers can leave a new mom feeling very alone.
- Outdated information – Depending upon the health care provider, pregnant mothers may not receive all the facts to make an informed decision about breastfeeding.
- Unsuccessful start - The inability for mothers to successfully start breastfeeding can create discouragement and even cause new mothers to give up.
- No workplace support – Offering a private location to pump is great way for employers to meet the needs of nursing mothers. However, many companies do not provide these facilities and even frown upon pumping.
Westside Medical Supply is here to assist new moms who are considering breastfeeding by offering the latest equipment to quickly and discreetly express milk when they are unable to feed their infant directly from the breast. We have a complete supply of breast pumps including units for mothers who only need to pump occasionally as well as hospital grade equipment for working mothers or those who choose to feed their infant from the bottle. We provide breast pumps through mom's insurance which means that the breast pumps end up being FREE! Visit www.wmsupply.com to find the right pump for your needs!
