This month Dr. Kudirka speaks with lactation specialist Karen Bromberek about the benefits of breast feeding.

1. Breast feeding is the best nutrition for a newborn, as nature intended it.  Pediatric associations recommend breast feeding for at least the first 6 months of life.

2. Breast fed infants have fewer ear infections, respiratory infections, and have a lower risk of developing obesity and diabetes later in life.

3. Breast feeding is natural and normal, but it takes work.  If a new mother is having difficulty with breast feeding, seek help from your hospital's lactation department.

4. Many hospitals organize new mother's breast feeding support groups.  Several good organizations that promote breast feeding are:  laleche.org, ilca.org.

Nurse Karen Bromberek has worked as a lactation consultant at Palos Hospital for over 30 years. 

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