Breastfeeding a Mother's Gift

Running Head: Breastfeeding a Mother's Gift

Breastfeeding a Mother's Gift

Sabrina Hinton

Salem College

Summer 2010

Breastfeeding

According to "Pediatrics for Parents" approximately 70% of women leaving the hospital with newborns breastfeed. Some utilize breastfeed and a mixture of some type of formula when they are discharged from the hospital. By the time the child is six months old, the rate of breastfeed drops drastically to about 30%. In many cases, the mother makes the decision to either stop breast feeding completely, use baby formula solely or start introducing solid foods as a part of the baby's diet. Nearly two billion dollars is spent on breast milk substitutes every year by mothers in search of alternatives. Although this the decrease of breastfeed baby's has decreased at an alarming rate, we must realize that it is more than just beneficial to the baby, the mother, and society; it is also a natural process that all mothers should consider after giving birth.

First, several studies have noted that breast milk provides the best balance of nutrients for most advantageous growth and development of an infant. This type of milk is known to be very digestible by the infant due to the breasts production of fluid called colostrums. This fluid is most often thick and yellow in color. It is known to assist the infant's digestive system in proper development and functioning.

Second, there are numerous childhood illnesses that can be prevented by breastfeed infants. The breast milk produced by the mother contains antibodies that pass from the mother to the baby for protection. When this process occurs it is called natural immunity, a process that helps to not only decrease infant hospitalization but also pediatrician visits. A few of the childhood illnesses that can be either minimized or eliminated are diarrhea, ear and respiratory tract infections, bacterial meningitis, asthma, allergies, fewer instances of diabetes, less gas, less cavities, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Leukemia. When considering infants who are born prematurely, the use of breast milk minimizes the length hospital stay, increases maturation of the infant brainstem, as well as decreases the risk of life-threatening diseases. Breast Milk also has been known to have association with higher IQ's, No formula, no matter how improved can take the place of breast milk.

Decreased infant mortality and optimal infant health are the most important goals. A mother's breast milk is distinctive in both its composition and purpose. There are numerous benefits for both mother and child when the decision to breastfeed is made. Human milk is custom-made for babies, with all the right nutrients and in the right amounts. There is no mixture or formula guesswork involved. Since it comes from within the mother's body, there is no possible way in which it can be reproduced by other imitating substances. According to the United States Breastfeeding Committee and the Benefits of Breastfeeding, "Breast milk changes over time, and even over the course of the day, to meet the changing needs of the growing child" (United States).

Studies have shown that babies do not need a great deal at birth; however they do need to held and comforted by the mother. By doing this, the mother satisfies the infant's emotional needs. This is attainable by both breastfeeding mothers and those that bottle-fed babies, but in some cases, those fed by bottle have been known to prop up bottles or allow them to hold their own bottles as they grow old enough to do so. When bottle propping is done, it can lead to choking if the child is unsupervised. It can also lead to tooth decay if the bottle is held in the mouth while the child sleeps.

Even though there are a huge number of benefits for the infant, there are also numerous benefits that are for the mother. These rewards associated with the mother breastfeeding are often overlooked after birth. Some of the most evident ones are it promotes bonding. "The practice establishes a strong emotional bond between the mother and child, and also helps in cognitive development of the latter" (Seda, Shiela). Others are that breastfeeding promotes uterine contractions after childbirth and reduces bleeding, promotes weight loss, and less risk of ovarian and breast cancers. Breastfeeding is also economical as it saves the cost of formula and other products that are