Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has been meaningful to me because I tried breastfeeding
both of my daughters. I was encouraged to breastfeed them because they were in
the NICU. The nutrients in breast milk help babies especially babies in the
NICU. Breastfeeding was difficult for me. My children did not latch on so most
of my time was spent pumping. I pumped for a month with my first daughter and
only a week with my second daughter. I fill like I failed as a mother with
breast feeding. I’m not sure how breastfeeding will impact my future work.
However if I have more children I will try to breastfeed again.
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/05/26/315281803/mexico-citys-campaign-to-encourage-breast-feeding-backfires
This is an article about Breastfeeding in Mexico
Little Support For Nursing Moms
Breast-feeding rates in Mexico are among the
lowest in Latin America. Only 14 percent of women breast-feed their children
exclusively in the first six months, the recommended standard set by the World
Health Organization. Meanwhile, childhood obesity and breast cancer in Mexico
are on the rise. Studies show breast-feeding might help lower the risk for both
diseases.
There are many reasons why women aren't
breast-feeding in Mexico, adds Tames. Poverty and poor nutrition top the list,
but also more women than ever have entered the workforce. Hours are long, which
makes breast-feeding during the day challenging, while pumping milk at work is
not encouraged and in many cases prohibited.
Heath advocates also point to Mexico's
unwillingness to regulate companies that sell baby formula. Mexico has yet to
sign on to the World Health Organization guidelines that restrict hospitals
from handing out free baby formula and marketing their products to new mothers.
Chessa Lutter, the regional adviser for the Pan
American Health Organization, says Mexico does have rules for doctors and
nurses to promote breast-feeding and provide lactation areas in the workplace.
But she says there is little enforcement.
Hello Tiffany, It seems that breastfeeding is on the up and up lately. I have heard a lot more about it recently than I have in the past. I was not a breast fed child nor was my brother and something about it just completely freaks me out. I have a lot of friends who say this is because I was not breast fed as a child but most of my friends who have children have breast fed their children. Their excuse is that it is free and it helps them lose weight. This is something I will definitely have to consider down the road. I will never forget the first time I had a parent breast feed in front of me. She just pulled her shirt down, stuck her boob in her daughters mouth and started talking to me full on conversation. I was 19 at the time and found it very uncomfortable and did not know where to look so I avoided eye contact. Now at almost 29 it is nothing to me, my best friend has fed in front of me so many times it doesn't even phase me anymore!
ReplyDeletemaria
After studying fetal development and the miracle of biology, it seems breastfeeding is the natural step in perfectly planned care and health of the infant. So many studies show positive effects of breastfeeding. Today, women have a choice. With pre- and postnatal nutrition and biosocial health being equal, the finding of future research will be interesting as the number of bottle / formula fed infants increases.
ReplyDeleteI was able to breast feed for only two weeks because I was put on antibiotics for an infection. During this time, my son had to be bottle-fed. He would drink formula from a bottle for other caregivers; however, he refused to suck on the bottle when I tried to feed him. At two weeks, he instinctively knew that I was the source of his preferred natural nutrition. Amazing!
The information you shared regarding breast-feeding in Mexico was very interesting. Thank you.
Mary
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences with breast feeding. The first time I nursed my daughter it felt very strange. I have never felt that feeling before. Unfortunately, I was induced so my body didn't have a good supply of milk. I had to supplement with formula until my milk came in. This week's resources have given me a better understanding on how breast feeding fosters healthy development.and provides balanced nutrition to babies.
Salesha
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI do not think that you should feel like a failure when it comes to breast feeding. I could not breast feed or pump milk from my breast because I had a breast reduction that went wrong back in 2003. So my son had to start out on formula and this was a mental pain for me because I wanted to breast feed my son. I did not find out I was pregnant until I was 7 1/2 months so I did not feel that my son received the nutrients that he needed. He is my God sent gift and he is currently six years old. With that being said please do not feel like a failure because you are not a failure.
Kontrina