Mother’s Milk
“While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby.” ~Amy Spangler
As the dog days of summer start to arrive on the calendar and both kids and parents alike begin to think about the new school year, we also welcome August as National Breastfeeding Awareness month. Why do we need a month dedicated to the awareness of breastfeeding you ask? Despite the mountains of research spelling out the multitude of health benefits to both mother and child from this natural act…there are still those who fail to grasp the importance of breastfeeding and still others who shame those mothers who try to give their child every advantage during this fragile stage of life for feeding their child in public. The debate over breastfeeding in public has become a prickly subject in recent years as some are very uncomfortable by seeing a mother feed her child in this manner. The truth is that more and more public venues are providing space for mothers to breastfeed their babies thus giving them a comfortable space to do it and to also help ease the concerns of those who feel wary about a mother feeding her child. It really shouldn’t matter whether a mother feeds her child in public or not, the overall benefits to both mother and child are indisputable.
The connection between mother and child is one that has a mysterious bond and that bond is made stronger by the simple act of breastfeeding. The skin to skin contact during breastfeeding has a positive, life-long effect that not only allows for a happier and healthier baby but a healthier mother as well. The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child begin from the first feeding. The first milk produced by the mother, called colostrum, a more viscous and thick milk, that is yellowish in color called liquid gold. This milk is very rich in nutrients and includes antibodies to protect your baby from infection and it also helps your newborn's digestive system to grow and function. Mother’s milk changes to meet the needs of the infant and after the first few days the breast milk thins out but still provides all the needed nutrients that the infant needs to grow healthy and strong. Recent research shows that the breast milk produced reacts to the needs of the baby so literally, the make-up of the milk can change from day to day in order to meet satisfy the nutritional needs of the child. No one can give an explanation as to why this happens, but it just is. Other advantages for the baby if it is breastfed are a significantly lower risk of asthma, leukemia (during childhood), obesity (during childhood), ear infections, diarrhea and vomiting, lower respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Studies have shown that if a mother can breastfeed their child for at least three months these benefits will be present with the child throughout childhood but the longer a child can breast feed the better.
Of the advantages of breastfeeding for the mother, there are hormones released that can help the mother feel more relaxed and comfortable during that time of feeding. The production of milk requires a lot of energy, so the body burns more calories that normal thus helping women lose some of the weight normally gained during pregnancy. One of the biggest benefits (in my mind) is that women who breastfeed have a lower probability of getting breast cancer. Think about that for a moment…women who have breast fed their children have a significantly lower probability of developing breast cancer. These are just a smattering of the positive side of feeding a newborn infant with mother’s milk versus baby formula from the store. As recommended by multiple agencies, the only time a baby should be fed formula is when there is a health risk from breastfeeding. Other things to consider…formula is very expensive and often babies have a difficult time digesting it…breast milk is free and is custom to your baby’s needs. The list just goes on and on regarding the pros and cons of breast milk versus formula, more than will fit in this blog. I recommend that you take a moment to read up on it if you or someone you know is about to have a baby. Ultimately, being a parent isn’t always about what is the easiest path but is about doing what is best for your child. Breastfeeding is a critical act for the health and wellbeing for both mother and child, being aware of this tender act and the benefits that come with it should help us all have a better understanding of the importance of breastfeeding…be it at home in the nursery or on a bench in the middle of the city park. Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com