We know that becoming a mother is a very important step in a woman's life. Every mother wants the very best for her newborn. Research shows that babies who breastfeed are healthier and suffer from fewer chronic problems, with positive effects reaching into adulthood. Support and education contribute to the success and length of time a woman is able to breastfeed her baby. That is why Mother Frances Hospital offers The Lactation Center, staffed with a board certified lactation consultant and breastfeeding educators that are dedicated to helping mothers breastfeed their babies successfully.

Some of the benefits of breastfeeding include:

• Higher IQ scores and better school performance;
• Reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (crib death), childhood cancers, juvenile onset diabetes, Hodgkin's Disease and ear infections;
• Decreased incidence and severity of allergies;
• Better visual and oral development.
• Women who breastfeed benefit from reduced risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, as well as osteoporosis; and they experience faster recovery after childbirth.