FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – August 1, 2023 – National Breastfeeding Month takes place in August every year. This year, we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 – 7, with the theme of enabling breastfeeding while making a difference for working parents.
Preparing for a new baby can feel daunting, especially if giving birth for the first time. At MetroWest Medical Center’s Framingham Union Hospital, the OB/GYN team of providers and delivery staff are committed to providing personalized and specialized care for each mother and family. The Beautiful Beginnings Birth Center includes a Certified Level II Special Care Nursery, Certified Nurse Midwives, along with Certified Lactation Consultants. Framingham Union Hospital offers evidence-based, patient-centered care and breastfeeding support services.
About Lactation Consultants
An Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is the highest level of training, allowing consultants to practice internationally following more than 2,000 hours of training. A Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) completes 52 hours of localized training. The main difference includes the pathway to education. IBCLC’s have a more intensive certification process. CLC’s and IBCLC’s can both support, educate, advocate and counsel women in breastfeeding. CLC’s can be found in WIC clinics, Baby Café’s, private practice, La Leche League leaders and some hospitals.
MetroWest Medical Center’s Framingham Union Hospital offers both CLC and IBCLC staff to educate new mothers about lactation and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding has health benefits for your baby that can last a lifetime. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only breastmilk for the first six months and to breastfeed for 12 months and beyond.
Reasons Why to Breastfeed:
- Breast milk is free and always ready.
- It comes in just the right amount that a baby needs.
- Breast milk has antibodies, which help protect baby’s health.
- Babies who are breastfed have fewer stomachaches.
- Breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight or have diabetes later in life.
- Moms who breastfeed are more likely to lose weight after pregnancy.
- Nursing moms are healthier, including having a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and breast or ovarian cancer.
The U.S Breastfeeding Committee officially declared August as National Breastfeeding Month on August 6, 2011. We celebrate mothers and lactating parents and work to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and human milk feeding.
For more information about the MetroWest Medical Center Beautiful Beginnings Birth Center, please visit our obstetrics page.
Christa McAuliffe Center