The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of life and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and longer if the mother chooses. At New Beginnings Pediatrics, we respect a mother’s choice on whether to breastfeed or formula feed her baby. We will guide you through whichever option you choose to ensure your baby is getting the nutrients and care that it needs.

Types of Breast Milk

If you choose to breastfeed your baby, it is important to know what to expect. As the baby grows, your breast milk evolves. The three main types of breast milk are:

• Colostrum: This early breast milk is thick and yellowish in color. It is packed with nutrients, antibodies, and proteins to help your newborn fight off disease.
• Transitional Milk: This milk has less proteins as colostrum, but is more calorie-dense.
• Mature Milk: As your baby grows, milk becomes thinner and takes on a whitish color.

Each type of breast milk has the nutrients and vitamins that your baby needs throughout its different stages of infancy.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers alike. Below are some breastfeeding benefits:

• Helps babies fight disease
• Prevents the development of asthma and allergies
• Builds up babies’ immune systems
• Reduces the risk of childhood obesity for babies that were breastfed for at least 6 months
• Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Our team at New Beginnings Pediatrics is happy to discuss breastfeeding benefits with you, and answer any questions you may have.

How to Get Started

We are here to help you every step of the way. Request an appointment or call (540) 739-3623 to get started. For virtual appointments, visit our Televisits page for more information and instructions.