A mother breastfeeding a child at Zanzibar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It has been a while since I last wrote a post. Life has been happening! This week is World Breastfeeding Week and as a breastfeeding mom, I am feeling rather nostalgic. When I had my first child, the nurse in the delivery room asked if I was going to breastfeed. Despite my background in nutrition, up until that point, I had really not given any thought about the options available to me. I was raised at a time when all babies in Africa (at least in my surroundings) were breast fed. If formula was offered, it came at a much later age. All I knew was that babies were breastfed and breastfeeding was what I was going to do. So, the question many ask is “why breastfeed?” Here are 7 reasons why you should:
- It’s tailor made for baby: Breast milk changes as baby grows. The first days produce a yellowish liquid, just enough to fill baby’s tiny tummy. By day 4, mom’s milk begins to change and she is able to produce more for baby who appears to be growing by the minute.
- It’s natural-Many new moms worry that they do not know how to breastfeed. However, there is no special skill required. Maternal instinct kicks in and practice makes you a “pro.” If the instincts don’t kick in, allow baby to lead the way. (S)He is born with the ability to locate the breast, latch on and begin nursing. Simply place baby on the chest and watch him/her crawl towards the breast. (Check out baby crawl on you tube.) With time and practice, both you and baby will know exactly what to do and flourish.
- Safe and Convenient- No bottle, artificial nipples, flasks and gadgets to inconveniently purchase, wash, sterilize, mix, cool, warm and lug around. Breast milk is free, readily available and always at the right temperature. In addition, you never have to worry about how safe the water you using to mix the formula is.
- Cheap- Let’s face it, formula is expensive. Breastfeeding is free and therefore saves you money.
- Provides for excellent bonding. Feeding time is baby bonding time. There is no better time for you and baby to get to know each other.
- Decreased disease rates: Did you know that breast fed babies have a lower incidence of diseases such as asthma, obesity and diabetes? In addition, the cells and antibodies present in breast milk but missing in formula provide wonderful infection fighting defenses. Breast fed babies have lower incidence of diarrhea, respiratory, ear and other infections than their formula fed counterparts. These disease fighting abilities extend beyond just baby. Mothers who breastfeed tend to have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, post-partum depression, breast and ovarian cancers. Studies are underway to determine the role breast feeding plays in decreased osteoporosis and long term weight loss.
- Flavored by mom: Imagine if you ate the same thing every single meal, every single day. What would your life be like? Would you look forward to a meal? Would you even want to eat? Unlike formula which tastes the same all the time, breast milk is flavored with whatever mom eats. What a wonderful way to introduce your child to a wide variety of foods and flavors
For the most part, the decision to bottle or breast feed is a personal choice. In very rare cases, mothers cannot breast feed due to medical and /or physiological concerns. For these mothers formula can be the one thing that saves their baby’s life. If you are a new mother seeking help and guidance on breastfeeding, ask your medical professional or, in true African fashion, a knowledgeable elder.
Here’s to your health,
Related articles
- Variety is the Spice of Breast Milk (plumorganics.com)
- Breast Feeding For Your Baby, CDC Shows Nursing on the Rise (scienceworldreport.com)
- Ghana observes breastfeeding week (modernghana.com)
- Is Breastfeeding the right choice for you? (swaddlesnhugs.wordpress.com)
- Breast is Best (roomtogrow.co.uk)
