PhD, RNC Breast milk is the food that human mothers produce for their babies. The proteins, fats and carbohydrates in human milk are species-specific enabling the human infant to grow and develop in an optimal environment. Formula companies have manipulated cow's milk to simulate the proteins, fats and carbohydrates of human milk, but no formula can provide the infant with other beneficial factors that are contained in breast milk.
Statistics show that far too few women in the United States breastfeed.
To increase the numbers of mothers who breastfeed, many hospitals and private childbearing practitioners have prenatal education programs as well as health promotion materials available for women who are pregnant or who are considering becoming pregnant. The mothers are helped in the hospital during the early postpartum period to begin the breastfeeding relationship. To become successful breastfeeders, however, many mothers need additional lactation assistance during the early days at home. Because so few women breastfeed in the United States, those who do decide to give their babies the gift of breast milk have few role models or experienced support systems. A lactation consultant, therefore, is able to assume the necessary role of advisor to the breastfeeding family.