(BPT) – No one argues the benefits of breastfeeding – 77 percent of babies start out being breastfed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The problem is that six months later, only 16 percent of babies are exclusively breastfed.What’s causing the significant drop off?

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon General recommend exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age. And while breastfeeding and breast-pumping rates continue to grow, according to research from Medela, only 30 percent of moms are satisfied with their ability to meet their goals as well as national goals for breastfeeding.

Though breastfeeding is natural, the technique is a learned skill. Many new moms struggle with the task within the first months of their baby’s life, and frustrations paired with difficulties cause them to give up too quickly.

Moms-to-be can increase the likelihood of breastfeeding success with the right education and appropriate tools. Here are five expert tips for expectant parents to prepare themselves for a successful breastfeeding journey:

1. Get tools and supplies covered by the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is redefining health care in America, and breastfeeding moms in particular are benefitting. While changes vary among insurance plans, the ACA now requires insurance companies to cover breastfeeding support and supplies. This may include lactation consultation, breast pumps and other health supplies needed for moms and babies to successfully breastfeed. For information on the ACA, how to talk to your insurance provider and more, visit www.breastfeedinginsurance.com. It’s important to have your questions answered and to be as knowledgeable as possible before baby arrives.

2. Educate yourself before baby’s arrival.

Reading books and watching videos can be extremely helpful for moms-to-be who want to breastfeed. Because there is a lot to learn, an online class can be particularly beneficial. The Medela Breastfeeding University is a 90-minute online course developed by health care professionals that walks moms through what to expect during pregnancy as their bodies change, what to expect at the hospital, how to transition at home and work, and even what fathers and grandparents can do to support breastfeeding efforts. Available in both English and Spanish, the $25 course fee will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House, plus moms who complete the course will receive a $25 coupon for a breastfeeding Accessory Starter Set.

Visit-medelabreastfeedingu.com to learn more.

Use the code RELjN5GmY for a free registration for Medela Breastfeeding University in English, and use code RELSPqT6XAK to register in Spanish. Moms who use the free registration codes and complete the course are still eligible to receive the $25 coupon.

3. Build a support system

Breastfeeding takes time and dedication. Having a support system can help women overcome obstacles and successfully breastfeed for six months or longer. Spouses, family members and friends can all provide important support. Expert support can help as well, particularly when it comes to overcoming any hurdles such as latching problems or low-supply concerns. Consider meeting with a certified lactation consultant or join a support organization like La Leche League International or the Nursing Mothers’ Council. Your local Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office can also provide excellent breastfeeding support.

4. Prepare for comfortable breastfeeding at home

A few items can make breastfeeding at home easier and more comfortable for moms and babies. Some top supplies to consider stocking at home include a breastfeeding pillow to help support and position baby correctly, a rocking chair or glider, and multiple burping clothes to quickly clean up messes. Nursing bras, washable or disposable bra pads, and lanolin ointment are helpful also. Some women like to stock their breastfeeding area with bottled water, small snacks or reading material that they can enjoy while bonding with baby.

5. Prepare for heading back to work

With the right tools and a little preparation, mothers can continue breastfeeding while working. Federal law states employers must provide reasonable break times for employees to express breast milk for one year after a child’s birth. Employers must also provide a comfortable, private area that is free of intrusion, other than the bathroom. Talk with your employer or human resources contact about your intent to express milk during work hours. A double-electric pump and storage containers are good supplies to keep at work. Expressed milk can be safely stored at room temperature for four to six hours, in the refrigerator for three to eight days at 39 degrees or lower, and in the freezer for six to 12 months at 4 degrees or lower, according to www.BreastmilkGuidelines.com.

Stay connected to your baby, even when you’re not there. To learn more, visit www.medela.com.

The post Breastfeeding moms: Tips for long-term success appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Pre- and postnatal care is important facets of ensuring a healthy mom, which in turn, helps to ensure a healthy baby. Aside from the standard 9 months of care for expecting mothers, the crucial times of pre- and postnatal care are sometimes overlooked.

Healthy prenatal care can begin with a healthy intake of essential nutrients. Obtaining crucial nutrients such as folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects, conditions that affect the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Additionally, an adequate intake of calcium and iron can help moms during pregnancy to keep their body healthy while carrying a baby. WebMD also recommends pregnant women taking a supplement that includes vitamins B and D.

Some women may find that they have difficulty selecting a supplement or may be frustrated with the daily chore of having to take large pills to obtain the nutrients they need. For those women looking for another option, products such as Premama are available. This drinkable supplement offers women the benefits of prenatal vitamins without the need for large pills. Premama provides key nutrients during pregnancy, and can also help with the nausea and digestive problems associated with pregnancy.

Postnatal care for mom and baby is also important, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. It’s undeniable that there are extensive health benefits to breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life—but what most people don’t know is that breastfeeding provides new mothers with benefits of their own.

One benefit of breastfeeding is that it is cheaper. On top of the other mounting expenses of having a baby, the cost of baby formula can add up quickly. Breastfeeding is a natural and free way to ensure a baby receives all the nutrients he or she will need. In today’s economic situation, this can help reduce the costs of having a newborn.

Additionally, breastfeeding can help moms lose their baby weight. According to WebMD, mothers can burn up to 500 calories by simply breastfeeding. Losing that stubborn baby weight can lead to a mom who is more confident in herself physically, which in turn, will improve her overall self-esteem. Better post-partum emotional health, including less anxiety and depression, is also seen in women who breastfeed.

Breastfeeding also assists mom with baby spacing, giving her time to recover before she is able to get pregnant again. The National Institute of Health states those moms who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer and potentially a lower risk for osteoporosis, a disease that causes thinning of the bone density.

Despite all of the benefits to breastfeeding, some moms may still find it difficult to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their child’s life. Some of the difficulties that new moms face is not having enough time to breastfeed, pain and soreness of the breasts, problems positioning their babies comfortably, and an inability for the baby to properly latch.

These problems can be overcome with the help of health care providers, such as lactation specialists and OB/GYNs, who can offer a multitude of solutions, like pumping breast milk, improving latching techniques and tips for positioning your baby for feeding. Supplements are also available for postnatal care to improve the quality of a mother’s breast milk. It is important that mothers take the recommended amounts of vitamin D and B-12 to ensure their baby is getting a healthy amount of both vitamins. Products such as Nursing Blend are available to provide key vitamins and other nutrients for postnatal care. Breastfeeding moms can find helpful products online at websites like Simplisse.com.

The post Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby: How pre- and postnatal care can keep both mom and baby healthy appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Whether they nursed for weeks, months, or years, let’s take a look at 10 celebrity moms who loved breastfeeding.

From Gisele Bündchen‘s call for a “worldwide law” of mandatory breastfeeding, to Gwen Stefani‘s tears over her self-weaning babe, to Alicia Silverstone‘s “insane feelings of ecstasy while baby nurses,” read on about Hollywood mamas who love breastfeeding their babies.

Danica McKellar:

In reaction to TIME‘s controversial cover, The Wonder Years alum Danica McKellar said she’s still proudly breastfeeding her 20-month-old son Draco.

“Jamie Lynne Grumet breastfeeding her 3 yr old on Time Magazine’s cover is causing a fuss. @brochman says extended breastfeeding is more common than we think,” the mom to son Draco, said. “Not sure what else to say other than I’m 20 months into it and going strong…!”

 Hilary Duff:

Since welcoming her firstborn child, son Luca, in March, Hilary Duff can’t stop gushing about motherhood. While she initially found breastfeeding “tough,” it’s become a favorite time with her little guy.

“We’ve bonded a lot during feeding,” the new mom recently said. “It’s very, very special.”

The Lizze McGuire alum, 24, also talked to Celebrity Baby Scoop about working toward her breastfeeding goals.

“Yes, it’s like a lot of things you take on in life,” she said. “You have to experience it to understand. No one can do it for you.”

 Selma Blair:

Anger Management actress Selma Blair, 39, recently talked about breastfeeding her son Arthur, stating his nourishment is her first priority, regardless of who she offends.

“We all have nipples. I don’t care who I offend; my baby wants to eat,” Selma said. “If I can’t get a cover over me quick enough, so be it.”

She added that she’s easting well while providing breast milk for her baby.

“Nourishing myself correctly is very new to me, so I’m learning as well. It was important for me to be a real mom who loves her kid and needs to have more energy for herself and is trying to learn how to do this.”

Gisele Bündchen:

Gisele Bündchen made headlines with a controversial statement about making breastfeeding mandatory for all new moms. “I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months,” the model mom said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

In a follow-up statement written on her blog, Gisele clarified her thoughts about breastfeeding and the impact caused by her comment.

“My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law,” she wrote. “It comes from my passion and beliefs about children. Becoming a new mom has brought a lot of questions, I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. It’s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white. I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge. I believe that bringing a life into this world is the single most important thing a person can undertake and it can also be the most challenging. I think as mothers we are all just trying our best.”

 Alicia Silverstone:

Eco-friendly mama Alicia Silverstone welcomed her first child, son Bear Blu, with husband Christopher Jarecki last May. Over the past year, the new mom has written about nourishing her son on her blog The Kind Life. The Clueless star admitted breastfeeding can be painful at first, but the outcome can result in “insane feelings of ecstasy.”

“It can be [painful], but just at first,” Alicia wrote. “What I’ve been told is it’s important to have the bonding latch right away. Everyone I know who had pain in the beginning says how amazing it was after the first two weeks – that the insane feelings of ecstasy while baby nurses are the best ever, and that it’s so worth the baracuda jaws for two weeks. Also, I have seen and heard so much about how the baby, when first put on the chest immediately after birth, will crawl up to your nipple after a while and open its mouth like a little bird looking for the nipple. How cute and precious is that?”

Miranda Kerr:

Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr, 28, and husband Orlando Bloom are parents to son Flynn, 16 months. “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” the new mom gushed of her beautiful baby.

The model mom has become an outspoken advocate for breastfeeding since welcoming her first child.

“I intend to breastfeed for as long as I can,” she said. “My breast milk will give our little Flynn the nutrition he needs for his continued healthy development and to all mums out there I am sure you will make the right choice for you and your baby.”

 Gwen Stefani:

Rockstar mama Gwen Stefani was seen breastfeeding her yongest son, then 3-month-old Zuma, on a park bench in Los Angeles, Calif. A few months later, the mom-of-two talked about how Zuma self-weaned during No Doubt’s reunion tour.

“I didn’t want him to [quit],” Gwen said. “It felt like a total rejection. It was really hormonal, and trying to stop in the middle of tour was insane.”

Salma Hayek:

On a goodwill trip to Sierra Leone in 2009, Salma Hayek famously breastfed a week-old infant whose mother was too malnourished to produce milk herself. The actress recalled the wet nurse experience.

“The baby was perfectly healthy, but the mother didn’t have milk,” Salma said. “He was very hungry. I was weaning Valentina [then 2-years-old], but I still had a lot of milk that I was pumping, so I breast-fed the baby,” she said, her voice dropping. “You should have seen his eyes. When he felt the nourishment, he immediately stopped crying.”

Salma says she was hoping to raise awareness that Sierra Leone has the highest infant mortality rate in the world. She went on to say, “I actually think my baby would be very proud to share her milk. And when she grows up I’m going to make sure she continues to be a generous, caring person.”

Years later, Salma continues to answer questions about acting as a wet nurse.

“If you have milk, you have milk, and if they’re hungry, they’re hungry,” she said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing, because motherhood is a very strong place for women to connect and understand each other.”

Jenna Elfman:

Whether it’s breastfeeding or eating organic or using eco-friendly cleaning products, Jenna Elfman makes every effort to give her sons Story, 4 1/2, and Easton, 2, a healthy start in life. The mom-of-two recently opened up about societal barriers to breastfeeding.

“There are familial barriers and institutional barriers [to breastfeeding],” Jenna said. “In my prenatal classes, breastfeeding was talked about for five minutes. It was like, Hold your boob like this, and I didn’t even know what she was talking about. And these were private lessons. My mom didn’t breast-feed me. My generation was all formula-fed mothers. The first time I saw someone breast-feed I was 11 or 12. And I was like, Whoa. I thought it was awesome, and I wanted to do that. It felt so right to me.”

Molly Sims:

Mom-to-be Molly Sims is getting “excited” to welcome her first child – a boy – in June. The Las Vegas star recently opened up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her hopes to breastfeed and nourish her baby with “liquid gold.”

“Yes, I’m hoping [to breastfeed]! I hope, hope, hope so much because it’s ‘liquid gold’ and it’s such a great bonding experience,” Molly said. “I’m really hoping that my milk comes in. The benefits are just so amazing and I think it’s the best thing you can do if you can do it. If you can’t, I don’t want to get upset about it. But I really want to breastfeed so badly.

Celebrity Baby Scoop is one of the most popular blogs on the topic and the foremost provider of everything celebrity-baby, featuring baby fashion, baby names, baby trends and up-to-the-minute celebrity baby gossipand pics. Get all the latest news, updates, and photos about Hollywood’s most beloved celebrity moms, dads and their babies. Who’s the latest Tinseltown baby? Who’s due next and who just announced a pregnancy? It’s all on Celebrity Baby Scoop.

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