Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not only an essential part of the initial bonding process of a newborn and its mother, it is important for developing an newborn's immune system. Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, some mothers are not able to breastfeed.
As a new mother, I was very nervous about the whole breastfeeding situation. Luckily, it was not as scary as I initially thought. My first son, took to breast feeding immediately. At the time, I was going back to school and in the Army Reserves, so I was able to pump and freeze my breast milk, so we that we did not have to supplement with any formula. I nursed Zack until he was 9 months old and ready to start cereal.
My second son was a little more challenging. He only nursed for the first 4 months. He'd nurse, but it didn't see like he was getting enough during his feedings, so we had to supplement with formula and cereal earlier than planned.
"Human milk provides virtually all the protein, sugar, and fat your baby needs to be healthy, and it also contains many substances that benefit your baby’s immune system, including antibodies, immune factors, enzymes, and white blood cells" (Healthy Children, n.d.). My son's benefited from breastfeeding. Both had strong immune systems and rarely were sick. I think Zack might have had one ear infection, but other than that he stayed healthy his first years.
I was saddened to read an USA Today article that shared that approximately 25% of American moms breastfeed during the first six months. However, "Only 23 countries report exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6-months above 60%: Bolivia, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Micronesia, Federated States of Nauru, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda, São Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Timor-Leste, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia" (May, 2017).
References:
Breastfeeding Benefits Your Baby's Immunse System. (n.d.) Retrieved May 19 2018
from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Breastfeeding-Benefits-Your-Babys-Immune-System.aspx
May, Ashely. (2017). Breastfeeding: Not a single country in the world meets WHO, UN ICEF standards. Retrieved May 19, 2018 from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/08/01/breastfeeding-not-single-country-world-meets-who-unicef-standards/528449001/
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteEvery lady that I have known that have breast feed had some extremely healthy and fat (smile) babies. I was also told that you have to be mindful of what you are eating.I do know that breastmilk provides antibodies that protect the infant from some illnesses that are infectious. It helps reduce the risk of bacteria that may enter a baby's body.
I highly respect women that breast feed my only concern is that they should cover themselves with a big towel or something that doesn't make it so noticeable in the public. What if you are sitting beside a teenage or a child that asks alot of questions, and you just pull your breast out and start breastfeeding (just asking). I work in the infant room sometimes now, and last week, I actually feed a child a bottle that was breast milk and that was the first time, that I ever saw breast milk that was thick.
Great Blog Post
Hello Donna,
ReplyDeleteI attempted to breastfeed my child as well, but it didn't seem as if I was producing enough milk. I had cesarean births and I researched that may have been the cause of the low milk production. I supplemented with formula, also. Breast milk has so many nutritional benefits and I would encourage any mother to try.
Donna,
ReplyDeleteYou bring about some interesting information pertaining to breastfeeding and it's importance for "developing a newborn's immune system" and also to the bonding that takes place between the mother and child.
Due to my oldest son being premature, he experienced some complications. The 4lb. 3oz. baby boy was unable to suck, swallow and breathe. He was placed in the NICU for nearly two weeks. I was there for every feeding, however he didn't latch on well and feedings were too much for the both of us. He wasn't eating enough to gain the weight needed to go home.
He latched on easier to the nipple of the bottle which pleased both of us. He picked up a few pounds and with that, I was able to take him home.
Thanks for sharing.
This is a very interesting subject.
ReplyDelete