World Breastfeeding Week

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By Diane Forrest, RN

Recently there was a picture of two military mother’s breastfeeding their children in uniform.  This picture stirred up alot of attention on the web.  The question was, should they be photographed in uniform breastfeeding?  There were many opinions floating about.  Some say breastfeeding is a natural thing, some say it wasn't proper to be photographed in uniform, and there are others who say, breastfeeding should be done in private, or covered up.  The one thing that most can agree on is that breastfeeding is best for the infant.  It provides the proper nutrients, antibodies, it’s at the proper temperature, and is always available.

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This week is World Breastfeeding Week.  The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed in 1991 to act on the Innocent Declaration (1990) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. As part of its action plan to facilitate and strengthen social mobilization for breastfeeding, WABA envisioned a global unifying breastfeeding promotion strategy. A day dedicated to breastfeeding was suggested to be marked in the calendar of international events. The idea of a day's celebration was later turned into a week.

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The first World Breastfeeding Week campaign on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched on 1 August 1992 to commemorate the adoption of the Innocent Declaration. WABA organizes WBW every year from 1 - 7 August as an opportunity for groups worldwide to take specific actions that will raise public awareness about breastfeeding and reap support for it.

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This year celebrates 20 years since the start of WABA.  Some of the things that will be going on this week is looking back, to see how much the organization has grown and how much education they have provided to mothers and others to eliminate the stigma of breastfeeding.   They also want to continue education the public on the positive aspects of breastfeeding.  To learn what you can do and how you can help...visit this site:  http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

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World Breastfeeding Week

This week we recognize breastfeeding.  Breastfeeding is the feeding breast milk to a baby directly from a human female breast.  Breast milk is the healhiest form of milk for infants.  Until the 19th century, thewas the only way that infants were fed.  It was only after World War II that infant formula's were used more than breastfeeding.

There are numerous benefits for breastfeeding, they include:

For the baby:

• Greater immune health:  During breastfeeding, antibodies pass to the baby.  This is one of the most important features of colostrum, the breast milk created for newborns.
• Fewer infections:  Studies have shown that breastfed infants have fewer cases of urinary tract infections, middle ear infections and upper respiratory infections.
•  Protection from SIDS:  Breastfed babies have better arousal from sleep at 2–3 months, the time when most cases of sudden infant death occurs
•   Higher intelligence
•     Less diabetes
•     Less childhood obesity
•     Less tendency to develop allergic diseases
•     Less overweight

Benefits for the mother:

• Bonding
• Hormone release
• Weight loss
• Postpartum infertility

 Breast feeding is also cost efficient, the milk is free, and no need for sterilizing bottles.  All pediatricians recommend breastfeeding, and the organization, La Leche League strongly encourages breastfeeding and offers information and support to all mothers before and after pregnancy.

There are some situations that  prevent breastfeeding.  These include the inability of the baby to latch on, if the mother is on medication, or unable to produce milk, diseases  such as HIV, and work or other types of separation.

As a nurse I would encourage pregnant women to breastfeed their babies for at least 6 months, which is recommended by pediatricians.  However, as a mother, I would not chastise a bottle feeding mother.  I did not breastfeed my child.  I imagine because it was not as popular as it is today.  There were alot of social stigmas attached to breast feeding, especially in public.  In fact, there are still issues that arise regularly about public breastfeeding, and indecent exposure.  In 2005 Barbara Walters made the comment on "The View" that she sat next to a nursing mother on a plane and became uncomfortable.  This caused an uproar and over 200 nursing mothers showed up at the station and held a "nurse in", nursing their babies outside.

In 2006 a woman was denied a seat on a flight because she was breastfeeding, and in 2007 a woman was asked to leave a Applebees restaurant for breastfeeding in public, stating indecent exposure as the reason.

While there has been much research on the benefits of nursing, I am not sure the same can't also be claimed by bottlefed babies.  My son, was and is very healthy, no medical problems, infections or diseases.  He is very intelligent, smarter than his mother he will tell you.  He was never obese and has a great bond with his mother.  His wife, on the other hand, was breastfed, and can't claim the same.  

So this week, as we recognize World breastfeeding week, I want to encourage all pregnant moms to consider breastfeeding your baby, and ask the family members to offer their support for that decision to promote healthy nutrition for the newborn, and a beautiful bonding experience for all.

    
For more information visit these sites:
http://www.llli.org/resources.html
http://www.breastfeeding.com/allabout.html

This week on Keeping it Simple - August 1, 2001

Welcome to this week at Keeping it Simple (KISBYTO) on the first day of August.

Life often provides us challenges when we least expect them.  Case in point yesterday – my router died – and my internet access – my life line to the world.  After calling my provider who insisted in running the same trouble shooting steps I had already taken – finally agreed the router was dead.  A new router is due to arrive Tuesday morning.  So this morning I am having my breakfast at Silver Diners in Fair Lakes, VA –using their Wi-Fi to prep and post today’s articles - thank you.

The hot days of summer are upon us in North America and July has been exceptionally brutal for most folks with triple digit heat and high humidity.

We will continue our focusing on Safety throughout this month as we have done in July. Our first article will be Kids in Hot Cars – where last year set a new record high of kids dying in cars – it is hard to believe that folks will leave their children in the cars along – regardless of the weather conditions.

Diane and I have been busy working on several articles for this first week of the new month on some really good topics: Breastfeeding; Children’s Eye Health and Safety; Immunization awareness; Internet Safety guide for parents; and several fun and interesting topics.

Thank you again for your continued support, readership and comments.  We truly enjoy hearing from you.