Wider Breast-Feeding Could Save Babies' Lives

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As a nurse on a mother-baby unit for the past 19 years, I have to comment. To the "nipple nazis" of the world - back off! While breastmilk is best, breastfeeding is NOT for everyone and those that choose NOT to breastfeed should not be made to feel like a lesser mother or called "ignorant or lazy". I have seen way too many women pressured into nursing by husbands and family members. It is not worth the stress of breastfeeding if the mother is not 100% committed. Stress not only inhibits production, but inhibits bonding as well because the infant can sense the tension. It is NOT appropriate for any woman to publicly breastfed a child of any age! If you want to breastfeed, so be it, but don't subject the world to your choices. And a response to the comment stating that a child should be breastfed for 2-3 years of age - why??? After the age of 1, infants can get all the nutrients needed for growth and development from food sources and cows milk.

RNC-MNN of VA 12:36AM May 11, 2012

I breastfed all 7 of my kids. From day one to around 2ish. It allowed such an awesome time of bonding with my kids. And that doesn't start to address the health benefits which have been written about often.
With 7 kids, you would think we would have had at least one major health issue. But we have had only one. My third daughter has sports asthma, but even that is very minor compared to other things some kids go through. I attribute this record to my healthy eating (no caffiene, very little sugar, lots of fresh veggies and lean meats) while pregnant and nursing. I feel very blessed, but also feel I did my part.
I suggest that every mom should do it for yourself (I lost all my weight gains within 6 months of nursing) and the baby.

Kathy of TX 11:41AM April 06, 2010

CORRECTION: To the above comment from Carol of IL...one of my babies had teeth at 4 mos old. It is no more "gross" to breastfeed a teething baby than a toothless one. And she was teething from 2 mos. I was bitten once, smacked her leg, and she never tried it again. My most serious injury was from one of my babies who was toothless but had hard gums and decided to clamp down...HARD!...then turn his head. It's a funny story now, and my guess is that that is not what is grossing you out. The facts are in: breastfeeding IS the best way to care for and feed an infant, definitely for the first 6 mos...probably for the first year, and maybe until 2-3 years old. Most especially, this is true in developing countries where access to alternate sources of high quality nutrition is NOT available for babies. Get over the gross. Breastfeeding is natural, healthy, and beautiful for the whole family. Try to see it that way for the sake of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. and this country will be better off.

Robin of OR 10:09AM April 06, 2010

To the above comment from Carol of IL...one of my babies had teeth at 4 mos old. I is no more "gross" to breastfeed a teething baby than a toothless one. And she was teething from 2 mos... I was bitten once, smacked her leg, and she never tried it again. My most serious injury was from one of my babies who was toothless but had hard gums and decided to clamp down...HARD!...then turn his head. It's a funny story now, and my guess is that that is not what is grossing you out. The facts are in: breastfeeding IS hte best way to care for and feed an infant, definitely for the first 6 mos...probably for the first year, and maybe until 2-3 years old. Most especially, this is true in developing countries where access to alternate sources of high quality nutrition is available for babies. Get over the gross. Breastfeeding is natural, healthy, and beautiful for the whole family.

Robin of OR 10:04AM April 06, 2010

Americans are simply ignorant about breastfeeding. Literally ignorant. Look what this study reveals: US HOSPITALS & US DOCTORS, despite access to facts regarding the disadvantages of formula over breastfeeding, CONTINUE to steer mothers/families away from breastfeeding.
If your own DOCTOR won't encourage you to breastfeed & if your own mother/parents were not encouraged to breastfeed you (hello viscous cycle) then WHEN ELSE is a woman/man/couple supposed to get this information or message?
Or how are grandmothers/aunts/extended family members/employers/neighbors/friends/SOCIETY (key elements in successful breastfeeding) supposed to get the message?
Many did not breastfeed their own children with "modern" emphasis on formula --my mom was given a pill to inhibit lactation in 1970 FROM HER OB!! And, yes, just like this study reveals, she, too, prodded me to call it quits when I had severe pain & difficulty nursing my twins. My mother chose not to breastfeed me. To encourage me now to breastfeed my kids would require her to re-examine her own non-breastfeeding practices. Most parents don't want to admit they've made a mistake (hello viscous cycle).
As this article suggests, EDUCATION & SUPPORT are key factors for successful breastfeeding which begs the question: When & HOW are AMERICANS going to get the message? Grade school? Middle School? High School?
How many US high schools include breastfeeding information in their health curriculum? I imagine it is very low. I personally recall being told how to eat healthy, care for my body/teeth, avoid pregnancy and STDs, but no one ever told me the benefits of breastfeeding when I was in school (& there are substantial health benefits for the mother, so even if from a solipsistic-focus-on-self-health-perspective there are PLENTY of reasons to promote breastfeeding in high school health curricula).
I teach at a private boarding high school & our health curriculum made NO mention of breastfeeding to our students until last year.
The problem of low breastfeeding rates in the US stems from GENERATIONS of lack of education/lack of support. With GENERATIONS of ignorance to combat, breastfeeding education should start in kindergarten & continue in all levels promoting it as the best, most healthy & natural form of nourishment for infants &, yes, toddlers (W.H.O. recommends a min. of two years of breastfeeding & research shows substantial health benefit to child and mother continues in the 2nd & 3rd year of nursing).
That anyone would call breastfeeding "gross" reveals just how DEEP U.S. cultural ignorance regarding breastfeeding is. It's so sad. What a pity! Even Mr. Rogers promoted breastfeeding to his audience in a 1984 PBS episode -a beautiful episode! Breastfeeding my twins transformed my life (especially my attitude about my body). I hope substantial steps are taken soon to move our country in a healthier BF direction.
Three cheers to mommy milk!
Audrey

Audrey Blessman of IN 2:38AM April 06, 2010

Dill of IA,
You contradict yourself. How can you say you didn't put pressure on your wife to breastfeed and then say that women who don't are "lazy"? You think your wife didn't know how you felt? Men shouldn't be entitled to any opinions about pregnancy and breastfeeding until they figure out how to truly share the experience! And, no, you don't speak for most men. You speak for yourself only.
Boobybabies Mom,
I didn't say anything about MY career being held back. I work hard and am very good at what I do. I have a very good career. but I know that women STILL make on average 75% of what men do for the SAME job. You can't tell me that taking time off for pregnancy and breastfeeding isn't part of the reason. Of course, employers won't tell you that. But it's easy to see that it's true.
Milk fan,
Glad you enjoyed my "milk factories" comment. If you are truly a good employee, great. And it's nice that you apparently have a great husband. I, however, have seen too many mothers who use their kids as an excuse to take days off, leave work early, etc. I'll never understand why married women or women in committed relationships don't insist that the fathers take equal responsibility for their children!
We'll never agree about breastfeeding, that is obvious. I still think it's gross... especially when the "baby" is old enough to have teeth!

Caro of IL 11:26PM April 05, 2010

I breastfed my daughter for 10 months until my body slowly stopped producing milk. I wanted to go for a year, but I'm glad I made it as far as I did. My second child I am planning to go for a full year. I come from a country where breastfeeding a child until 2-3 years is normal, which here in America is abnormal. It's sad to hear that in this country women don't or can't breastfeed their children for a long period of time. It's the society here. Working mothers and stress from work. It's sad but true, it's all about the money in this country and not humanity. You loose your job if you don't come back to work after 6 weeks. Some employers tell you to pump your milk in the bathroom? How disgusting!!!
Look at Canada or any other country in Europe, like Norway, working mothers have 6 months to a year after childbirth to return back to work. And they get paid for some of that time off! But in US, 6 weeks??? You got to be kidding me.And yet health care companies complain they have to pay these mothers for staying home. What do they want, go back to work the next day after giving birth. It makes me sick to even think how mothers are treated in this country.

SD of IL 10:19PM April 05, 2010

I was a breast fed baby and my wife thankfully has chosen to breast feed both of our children (first over a year and second so far 7 months). I never put pressure on my wife to breast feed but I always hoped that she would. I speak for most men when I say that every man wants his child to be breast fed, and if he denies it, he is just being a good husband and defending his wife. Why wouldn't you feed your baby the healthiest and most natural thing on earth?
It is medically proven that children are healthier when they are breast fed so why is there any debate? It is like giving your child fruit instead of brownies, they both are food but one is a lot better for you.
Personally I think that women that don't feed their children naturally are just lazy. Ask any woman that successfully breast fed their children that the first time they tried it was very stressfull and difficult. Is she getting enough...My nipple is dry and cracking... She just won't latch on... These are just a few of the "excuses" that I hear from people that don't breast feed. It is a tough thing to do and it takes a tough person to do it. Now I am not saying that you are weak if you don't breast feed but I am saying that it is difficult.
Finally, I am fortunate enough to be someone that manages and hires employees and I will say that it is against the law to not hire a woman because of pregnancy and/or breast feeding. So if you feel like your employer or interviewer is holding that against you then seek legal help.

Dill of IA 8:52PM April 05, 2010

Caro, you are just nasty. It's really pathetic that you are brazen enough to blame breastfeeding mothers on your personal inability to get ahead in the workforce. There are plenty of mothers (many of which posted here on this board) who worked AND nursed at the same time and found the experience very rewarding. And how dare you judge women who nursed their children for extended periods of time. Thank god there are still some mothers who actually put their children first. It seems like you are just selfish, self-centered, and judgmental.

Momof2BoobieBabies of MD 7:58PM April 05, 2010

Having a supportive environment makes all the difference. I have friends who were directed to use the restroom at work to pump. I don't eat in restrooms and neither should Moms be required to pump in them. Employers should be required to provide a private, sanitary (read: non-restroom) location for lactation.
My work has been supportive which has helped me to nurse and pump for over a year now.

KK of IA 7:46PM April 05, 2010