Breastfeeding is one of the most preeminent forms of bonding with your infant, not to mention, the only source in providing your infant with the most essential nutrients and vitamins necessary for healthy brain and bodily development. The specific fats and sugars in breast milk make it more digestible and better for the brain than any formula (Drover et al., 2009; Riordan 2005; Berger 2012). Breastfeeding is a very meaningful topic to me because my mother was breastfed as an infant, my mother breastfed me as an infant, and I continued on the tradition by breastfeeding my daughter as an infant. Unfortunately, I was only able to breastfeed by daughter up to six weeks, but she was still able to receive those essential nutrients and vitamins she needed. In the future, when I am blessed with another child, I will definitely breastfeed. After reading about breastfeeding and its many other advantages, such as enhancement in developmental skills at an early age and promotes weight loss, I will definitely seek other resources that will enable me to breastfeed as long as possible.
In the United States, we are blessed with laws and regulations that protect mothers and permit breastfeeding in public arenas, however, places like Russia, have a ways to go. In Russia, women are banned from breastfeeding in public. Not only is breastfeeding considered socially unacceptable, but the exposure of a woman's breast suggest a form of sexuality and grounds for harassment. A mother is not allowed to leave her home until she has weaned her child off of the breast, but can still provide breast milk for her infant by pumping or only breastfeeding in her home.
Despite these laws and regulations, women are still judged and ridiculed here in the United States. I encourage all mothers, young and old, to freely breastfeed their children, whether in private or in public...its your right as a mother, in the land of the free.
Hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insights on breastfeeding. I do not have a lot of experience with it myself. In the Berger text it said that while breast feeding is best it doesn't mean breast fed children always have all the nutrients they need. I guess it is dependent on the mother and her diet. I think that Vitamin D is big concern from a medical standpoint.
As far as breast feeding in public, I think it's perfectly fine, but I prefer a woman covers herself while doing it. Personally, FOR ME, I don't care to see her breast hanging out. I don't care how "natural" it is. There are just some things you don't expose in public in our culture. My sister uses this this really nice cover up that slips over her neck and fans out to cover her whole chest, shoulders and the baby. It is very convenient and easy to work with.
BethAnn
Hey Nicole. I breastfed both my babies until they were 8 months old. There are so many goof benefits to doing it. I think the best advice to pregnant moms out there thinking of trying it is to trust your body. So many people have so many opinions about whether the baby is drinking enough milk. Your body will provide for the baby's needs. I got so annoyed with relatives, friends, and even healthcare professionals telling me to supplement.. Anyway. Good post. I am a BIG supporter of breastfeeding.
ReplyDeleteI can see your enthusiasm concerning breastfeeding. I breastfed all three of my children.it was an experience I was looking forward to each time.We made a family choice for me to stay home and raise our children. Breastfeeding gave support through many ways, two of them being financial( saving money store bought milk) and provided an awesome experience to bond with my babies. I agree with your title" Breast is THE BEST"
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I am looking forward to when I have a child of my own is breastfeeding. I think it is a beautiful experience shared between a mother and her child. I have researched the benefits of breastfeeding and as a infant teacher have been witness to the benefits. Over the past few years I have made a mental chart on the children that get sick often. Each year the I have seen that babies on formula have been sicker than the breastfed baby. Nothing against formula at all, this has been my observation. This is a great post!
It's amazing that any place would ban a mother from feeding their child the best food on earth. It's a shame these mothers can't not only feed their children but they are made to feel like criminals if they do. I hope the laws in Russia change and mothers who breast feed are given more rights.
ReplyDelete