Breastfeeding advice and encouragement every mother needs to hear

Dr. Susan Leong-Kee is an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and a mother of twins who struggled with breastfeeding. She shares her experience and offers encouraging, practical advice to help other moms and babies achieve the benefits of breastfeeding.

As an OB/GYN, Leong-Kee counsels patients regularly on the benefits of breastfeeding. As a mother, she also knows firsthand how difficult the journey can be.

“The important thing is to support whatever the mother can do,” Leong-Kee emphasized. “I congratulate my patients no matter how long they breastfeed. Whether it’s one month or two years, there are benefits in every experience.”

Breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition for babies, promoting healthy growth and development, strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of asthma, allergies, diabetes, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), among other benefits.

Mothers who breastfeed benefit from a reduced risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and ovarian and breast cancer. They also may experience faster postpartum recovery, improved maternal mental health and a stronger bond with their baby.

“With so many short- and long-term benefits, I encourage all patients to try breastfeeding, to give it their best and to keep going as long as they can,” Leong-Kee said.

That is precisely what she did when her twins were delivered six weeks early.

“My babies were in the NICU for 21 days, most of that time with a nasogastric tube for feeding,” she explained. “It was really important to me that they get breast milk in some way. So, I set an alarm and every three hours, I attempted to pump for 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes more. The first five days, I pumped air. Nothing came out, not even colostrum.”

Frustrated and in tears, she kept going. She had lactation consults in the NICU and at home. She bought supplements and tried different foods to boost milk production.

“I did it all. Finally, on day six, I got one cc of colostrum,” Leong-Kee said. “I told myself, just keep going. Eventually, it became more and more, but that alarm never stopped. I kept pumping every three hours. Ultimately, I made enough breast milk for two babies.”

Those first few days after birth are critical for establishing milk supply, she explained. “Frequent stimulation, whether through nursing or pumping, triggers the release of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. When a mother is exhausted or overwhelmed, she may delay or skip sessions, which can reduce this hormonal signal. As a result, milk production may slow down or even stop, often leading to the perception that she’s not making enough.”

In Leong-Kee’s experience, while she initially attempted breastfeeding, she ultimately relied on pumping exclusively because of the challenges of feeding two babies at once.

“We bottle-fed with breast milk – I was committed to giving my babies the benefits, even if it looked different than I originally planned. It’s important to remember that every journey is unique. What matters most is that each parent feels empowered and supported in giving their best.”

“Questions about breastfeeding are among the most common concerns I hear from patients,” she noted. “I often tell them, ‘It’s a stressful and sometimes isolating experience. And when things don’t go as planned, it can bring on anxiety, guilt and even depression.’”

“That’s why early support – especially in the first two weeks – is so essential. Those early days are foundational for getting into a rhythm. Once mom and baby find their groove together, breastfeeding tends to become a much smoother and more sustainable process.”

The patients who do best typically have strong support networks on every front: at home, from lactation consultants, and in the workplace with adequate time and space to pump. They also feel encouraged by their broader community.

“Support at every level can make all the difference,” Leong-Kee said.

Today, researchers are learning more about the long-term benefits of breastfeeding, with encouraging results. A study published in Nature Pediatric Research found that the positive effects of breastfeeding stretch further into a child’s development than previously thought, with benefits to the brain and body lasting 10 years into childhood. Another recent study found that exclusive or longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with a lower incidence of developmental delays.

By Sharon Dearman, a writer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology