Breastfeeding Information
Excerpt from Executive Summary of The Texas Position Statement on Infant Feeding October 1997.
Human milk and breastfeeding over other methods of infant feeding is nutritionally superior and provides immunological protection for pre-term, full-term and low birth weight babies. Infants with special health and nutritional needs also benefit from receiving human milk in their diet. The evidence supporting human milk as the “Gold Standard” has led to the infant feeding objective established in the National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Healthy People 2010 objectives: to increase to at least 75% the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies in the early postpartum period and to at least 50% the proportion who continue breastfeeding until their babies are 6 months old.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
For the Mother
Breastfeeding can help you lose weight
Milk travels with you and is always the right temperature and ready when you are
Helps your uterus shrink more quickly
Reduces your risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer
For the Baby
Baby gets sick less
Protects your baby from allergies
Immunizes baby against disease
Helps brain development
For Families
Saves money in formula and health care costs
Can offer a special bonding tie for siblings and fathers
Allows mother to spend more time with entire family
Leads to healthier baby and mother
For the World
Uses a natural resource
Protects the environment: no packaging, no plastics, no waste
Decreases world hunger and infant deaths
Saves tax dollars by decreasing health care costs
Breastfeeding support in the community:
Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC):
Trained Peer Counselors and staff are available to assist WIC mothers with questions and issues. WIC operates a warm line (breastfeeding hotline) at (210) 444-3916 during the following days and hours:
Monday - Thursday, 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Literature related to various breastfeeding issues and concerns are available at all local WIC clinics.
Community Resources:
Mom’s Place: 1-800-514-6667
The Lactation Center, Methodist Hospital: (210) 575-0261
San Antonio Breastfeeding Coalition: http://www.sabctx.org/index.htm
La Leche League of San Antonio: (210) 341-9669
Baptist Health System Mother’s Milk First Lactation Center: (210) 297-5096
Please note: Some charge a fee for services rendered.
Free Frequently Asked Questions Websites:
Multi-lingual La Leche League (LLL) FAQs. Hotline 1-800-525-3243
National Women’s Health Information Center
Texas Department of State Health Services - English and Spanish FAQ
National Women’s Health Center’s Breastfeeding Help and Information
Family Health Services Information & Referral Line 1-800-422-2956
