The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the healthiest way to feed newborns and babies. Breastmilk gives babies the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Breastfeeding benefits for moms include speeding up recovery from childbirth, lowering disease risks, and strengthening bonding with baby.
Why Choose Breastfeeding
- Breastfed babies have less ear infections, asthma, and diarrhea. And they have less risk of developing diabetes or obesity.
- Breastfeeding is good for moms too. Moms who breastfeed are less likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancers.
- Breastfeeding is a convenient, easy and economical way to feed your baby anywhere.
- Breastmilk is all your baby needs for the first six months after birth.
- Breastfeeding should continue after introduction of solid foods as long as you and your baby desires, for two years or more.
Get Breastfeeding Support
The decision of how to feed your baby is a big one. There are many resources available to help you feel more confident and comfortable before and after your baby is born.
- OC Health Care Agency’s Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) program provides nutritious foods and resources to improve the health of growing families. Services offered to families at no cost include breastfeeding education and support.
- Visit Breastfeeding Support
- Interested in WIC? Apply for WIC Online English | Spanish | Vietnamese
- Call 1 (888) 968 -7942, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
- Check with your health care team and local hospital for prenatal classes
- Call the number on your health plan card to find out what breastfeeding services and supplies are covered
Note: This content is adapted from materials provided by California Department of Public Health, California WIC program.
Resources
- Every Parent OC: Orange County Community Breastfeeding Resources
- Every Parent OC: Three Newborn Feeding Secrets Every Parent Should Know
- Office on Women’s Health: Making the Decision to Breastfeed English | Spanish
- WIC: Your WIC Guide to Breastfeeding English | Spanish | Vietnamese
- WIC: Why Breastfeed
- Google Translate on the upper right corner allows translation for various languages
