It was only after discovering the breastfeeding gratification with my second child that I was able to recognize regrettably what I had missed with my first baby. I believe breastfeeding is our God given gift; and I am a serious advocate of breastfeeding because of its learned benefits and yet to be discovered values. In addition to having a positive influence on the child’s physical growth, there is a growing realization and numerous findings that reveal its impact on the child psychosocial and emotional development as well, since it decreases the child’s stress and discomfort. (Marquis, 2008)
A Most Natural Thing
Breast-feeding is the best natural form of nutrition for infants. Still, the decision to breastfeed is very personal and depends on every woman’s comfort level and will. It is imperative for mothers to learn; however, the endless benefits that are associated with breastfeeding. Ideally, breastfeeding must be done exclusively over the period of the first 6 months (WHO, 2012). WHO identifies Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the very beginning, as the perfect food for the newborn. Experts highly recommend that mothers begin feeding within the first hour after birth, to maximize the baby’s gain of this substance.
According to WHO (2012), although breastfeeding is the best nourishment that provides infants with healthy growth and development, less than 40 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed around the world. Reasons vary from not having the ability to breastfeed to simply choosing not to.
Benefits and Risks
Breastfeeding
There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding. It is particularly beneficial for the child and emotionally advantageous to the mother. For one, skin to skin contact promotes bonding between mother and child; it provides the mother with attachment relaxation and decreased stress.
Breastfeeding builds up the immune system; it helps in defending the body against infections, prevents allergies, and reduces the risk of respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal effects, diabetes, obesity, and other deficiencies.
It is also believed to increase the cognitive development in children (NCBI, 2009).
Not breastfeeding
For infants, deprivation of breastfeeding is correlated with numerous infectious diseases, such as an increased risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, Leukemia, and SID.
For mothers, dismissing breastfeeding increases the risk of several illnesses (NCBI, 2009). Neglecting to breastfeed has been associated with an increased incidence of premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, retained gestational weight gain, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome (NCBI, 2009).
Mothers have the right to know. Public health experts and obstetricians have a gigantic role in enlightening women and advising them to initiate breastfeeding at birth. Informative campaigns regarding infant feeding’s benefits on infants as well as mothers can help ensure an ideal start.
Breastfeeding in France
France has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe (NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, 2001). Various reasons contribute to this fact; one of which is the emphasis on maintaining a woman’s figure. Some French women are reluctant to breastfeed, for they believe it would negatively affect the firmness of the breast. Even when they do breastfeed, it is usually for a brief time, sometimes for only the duration of hospital stay. Some French women take it to the extreme of considering it oppressive to women, as the French feminist Elisabeth Badinter, author Of The Conflict On What's Holding Mothers Back puts it. She believes that breast-feeding imprisons woman today and holds them back. It is relieving to know; however, that more public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding is increasing over time, and it is evident that it is encouraged once again in France (EU Project, 2008).
References
EU Project on Promotion of Breastfeeding in Europe. (2008). Protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in Europe: A blueprint for action. European Commission. Directorate Public Health and Risk Assessment. Luxembourg, 2008. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_projects/2004/action3/action3_2004_18_en.print.htm
Marquis, G. (2008). Breastfeeding and its impact on child psychosocial and emotional development. Encyclopedia on early childhood development. Retrieved from http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/pages/pdf/marquisangxp.pdf
National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S (2009). The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Reviews in obstetrics and gynecology, 2(4), 222-231. Retrieved Fall, 2009, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/
Natural Beginnings. (2011). Breastfeeding. Retrieved from http://www.naturalbeginningsonline.com/breastfeeding.html
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre. ( 2001). The WHO code and breastfeeding: An international Comparative Overview. Retrieved October, 2001, from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/2D4FA7E459A389B8CA2579D0001A6721/$File/111027%20Final%20Report.pdf
I agree that breastfeeding is wonderful and is the best nutrition for infants but I do not believe that mother's who do not chose to breastfeed should be looked down on for their choice. I had four children and each of them had a different breastfeeding experience. My first child would projectile vomit after breastfeeding, and at 6 weeks I just couldn't handle it anymore. I breastfed my second child for nine months and weened her to a cup because I could not be away from her at all since at 4 months she started refusing to take a bottle at all. I breastfed my third child for 4 months then weened him to a bottle because he was showing signs of not wanting to take supplemental bottles. I choose not to breastfeed my fourth child for numerous reason, and it turned out for the best because the day I got home from the hospital I had to take my mother to the hospital for emergency gallbladder surgery. She was away from home so I was the only person around to visit her. I would not have been able to breastfeed under the circumstances. I ended up getting home help for her and me. I often regretted not breastfeeding my fourth child but all four children grew up healthy and happy. My bottle fed baby was actually the healthiest of all of my children and he still, at age 24, rarely gets sick.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cynthia for your feedback. I totally agree with you that no one has the right to judge a woman for her choice; whether to breastfeed or not.
DeleteYour post about breastfeeding was definitely enlightening and informative. I do agree it is a wonderful thing but I have to say I am relieved that there is formula out there that my doctor felt was just as nutritious as breast milk . I know some people don't agree but I am a mother of four and my job was almost an hour from home and my fear was always that the baby would not eat without me and transitioning from the bottle would do stressful for them. I had three friends that this happened to but luckily for them, they were close enough that they could feed them on their lunch hour. All four of my children are very healthy and luckily the only time I see the pediatrician has been for well visits. I worked at my previous job with a couple from France and what I learned from them is that in France they have something similiar to a nanny in the US and there is much emphasis on the mother getting rest and taking care of herself and she told me that if they had their children at home in France that she would have been able to take a year off work and still have a job to go back to. Something I think a lot of moms in the US could appreciate! Thank you for all the wonderful information!
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are various challenges involved when a woman decides to breastfeed. I am like you, very grateful to formula, especially when breastmilk is not available. I cannot imagine myself resorting to a wet nurse, like they used to do in the old days. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteImportance of breastfeeding cannot be overemphasised, its pretty sad how mothers deprive their children this precious gift. Thanks for the extensive analysis. I don’t really agree with the so call good formula. Most of these business men are out to make money irrespective of the risk. But if one is really engaged you can use that as an alternative otherwise please breastfeed them. Cheers
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