A new report finds three out of every four new moms starts out breastfeeding, but that number drops dramatically after the first couple of months.
Some doctors believe that's because breast feeding becomes too painful and difficult.
Reports on a quick, simple solution that could help new moms continue to give their babies the nourishment they need.
First-time mother Erin Miller is also in med school. She knows the importance of breast feeding. The problem: she couldn't take the pain.
"The pain was excruciating, there's some pain that you're willing to endure but there's only so much that you can really reasonably put up with" said Erin.
Steven was tongue tied. The membrane that connects the tongue to the mouth is too short. It makes breastfeeding unbearable and if left alone, can turn into a speech problem.
Doctor Sandra Sullivan sees it in about 20% of babies she treats.
"It's definitely an anchored tongue, and the tongue can't stick out of lift up" said Dr. Sullivan of the University of Florida.
A simple snip under the tongue loosens what's called the frenulum. It allows the baby to latch on without hurting mom.
"He's really actually more upset that we had our fingers in his mouth than really much pain" said Dr. Sullivan. "If we can do it right away those babies can learn that they can use their tongues more efficiently" she said.
The goal: Prevent moms from giving up on breastfeeding.
Studies show babies who aren't breast fed have higher rates of ear infections, asthma, allergies, type two diabetes, obesity and even cancer.
Breastfeeding even affects brains: Another study found babies who are breast fed have a six point higher IQ. The longer they're breast fed, the higher their test scores.
Steven had his tongue snipped and began eating immediately.
"It's just been a night-and-day difference" said mother Erin Miller.
A difference that mom is banking on.
"Breast fed babies have higher IQ's. It's not a huge difference, but it could mean the difference between a Nobel Prize and not!" laughed Erin.
Women who don't breast feed have a higher incidence of breast and ovarian cancers, obesity and type two diabetes.
New research also shows the effects of breastfeeding last later in life. Post-menopausal women who breast-fed were 10% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
Some doctors believe that's because breast feeding becomes too painful and difficult.
Reports on a quick, simple solution that could help new moms continue to give their babies the nourishment they need.
First-time mother Erin Miller is also in med school. She knows the importance of breast feeding. The problem: she couldn't take the pain.
"The pain was excruciating, there's some pain that you're willing to endure but there's only so much that you can really reasonably put up with" said Erin.
Steven was tongue tied. The membrane that connects the tongue to the mouth is too short. It makes breastfeeding unbearable and if left alone, can turn into a speech problem.
Doctor Sandra Sullivan sees it in about 20% of babies she treats.
"It's definitely an anchored tongue, and the tongue can't stick out of lift up" said Dr. Sullivan of the University of Florida.
A simple snip under the tongue loosens what's called the frenulum. It allows the baby to latch on without hurting mom.
"He's really actually more upset that we had our fingers in his mouth than really much pain" said Dr. Sullivan. "If we can do it right away those babies can learn that they can use their tongues more efficiently" she said.
The goal: Prevent moms from giving up on breastfeeding.
Studies show babies who aren't breast fed have higher rates of ear infections, asthma, allergies, type two diabetes, obesity and even cancer.
Breastfeeding even affects brains: Another study found babies who are breast fed have a six point higher IQ. The longer they're breast fed, the higher their test scores.
Steven had his tongue snipped and began eating immediately.
"It's just been a night-and-day difference" said mother Erin Miller.
A difference that mom is banking on.
"Breast fed babies have higher IQ's. It's not a huge difference, but it could mean the difference between a Nobel Prize and not!" laughed Erin.
Women who don't breast feed have a higher incidence of breast and ovarian cancers, obesity and type two diabetes.
New research also shows the effects of breastfeeding last later in life. Post-menopausal women who breast-fed were 10% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
