I really feel like we are going backwards in our thinking on this issue. With my other two children I never received stares or unwelcome comments. Now, 8 years later, there seems to be some kind of public outcry for Moms to stop feeding their babies in the most natural and healthy way possible. Is this some kind of baby trend that goes along with the Paula Deen trend to eat the worst food possible for us? Anna being my third child with a span of 11 yrs in between, I am amazed that people still don't get it!
Here is something that happened at the Target near my home: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/12/breastfeeding-at-target-moms-stage-national-demonstration/
Why should it come to this?
Recently, I was in the Los Angeles airport and I was feeding Anna while waiting to board our plane. Not a shard of skin could anyone see and a man actually guffawed and said "Humph! Breastfeeding! Right here!" Really sir? I didn't make a comment about that Snickers bar you were eating right there in public!
The next time you see a mom in public feeding their infant, say thank you, don't stare in embarrassment! They are doing their part to lower health care costs for everyone. In this world where people are all too often cruel and abusive to their children, someone participating in the loving act of nurturing and feeding their child should be a welcome sight! Some people are not able to nurse or have other reasons that make it impossible, but for those who can, we should be supportive. Here is a little info to pass along on the issue...
Breastfeeding protects babies
Mothers benefit from breastfeeding
Breastfeeding benefits society
The nation benefits overall when mothers breastfeed. Recent research shows that if 90 percent of families breastfed exclusively for 6 months, nearly 1,000 deaths among infants could be prevented. The United States would also save $13 billion per year — medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
Breastfeeding also contributes to a more productive workforce since mothers miss less work to care for sick infants. Employer medical costs are also lower.
Breastfeeding is also better for the environment. There is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.
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Breastfeeding during an emergency
When an emergency occurs, breastfeeding can save lives:
More information on why breastfeeding is important
Read more from womenshealth.gov
Here is something that happened at the Target near my home: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/12/breastfeeding-at-target-moms-stage-national-demonstration/
Why should it come to this?
Recently, I was in the Los Angeles airport and I was feeding Anna while waiting to board our plane. Not a shard of skin could anyone see and a man actually guffawed and said "Humph! Breastfeeding! Right here!" Really sir? I didn't make a comment about that Snickers bar you were eating right there in public!
The next time you see a mom in public feeding their infant, say thank you, don't stare in embarrassment! They are doing their part to lower health care costs for everyone. In this world where people are all too often cruel and abusive to their children, someone participating in the loving act of nurturing and feeding their child should be a welcome sight! Some people are not able to nurse or have other reasons that make it impossible, but for those who can, we should be supportive. Here is a little info to pass along on the issue...
Breastfeeding protects babies
- Early breast milk is liquid gold – Known as liquid gold, colostrum (coh-LOSS-trum) is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Although your baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her tiny stomach can hold. (Visit How to know your baby is getting enough milk to see just how small your newborn’s tummy is!)
- Your breast milk changes as your baby grows – Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow. It is a thinner type of milk than colostrum, but it provides all of the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs.
- Breast milk is easier to digest – For most babies — especially premature babies — breast milk is easier to digest than formula. The proteins in formula are made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs to adjust to digesting them.
- Breast milk fights disease – The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk. In fact, among formula-fed babies, ear infections and diarrhea are more common. Formula-fed babies also have higher risks of:
- Necrotizing (nek-roh-TEYE-zing) enterocolitis (en-TUR-oh-coh-lyt-iss), a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants.
- Lower respiratory infections
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
Mothers benefit from breastfeeding
- Life can be easier when you breastfeed – Breastfeeding may take a little more effort than formula feeding at first. But it can make life easier once you and your baby settle into a good routine. Plus, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. You do not have to buy, measure, and mix formula. And there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night! You can satisfy your baby’s hunger right away when breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding can save money – Formula and feeding supplies can cost well over $1,500 each year, depending on how much your baby eats. Breastfed babies are also sick less often, which can lower health care costs.
- Breastfeeding can feel great – Physical contact is important to newborns. It can help them feel more secure, warm, and comforted. Mothers can benefit from this closeness, as well. Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time to bond. The skin-to-skin contact can boost the mother’s oxytocin (OKS-ee-TOH-suhn) levels. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps milk flow and can calm the mother.
- Breastfeeding can be good for the mother’s health, too – Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems in women:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Postpartum depression
- Mothers miss less work – Breastfeeding mothers miss fewer days from work because their infants are sick less often.
Breastfeeding benefits society
The nation benefits overall when mothers breastfeed. Recent research shows that if 90 percent of families breastfed exclusively for 6 months, nearly 1,000 deaths among infants could be prevented. The United States would also save $13 billion per year — medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
Breastfeeding also contributes to a more productive workforce since mothers miss less work to care for sick infants. Employer medical costs are also lower.
Breastfeeding is also better for the environment. There is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.
Return to top
Breastfeeding during an emergency
When an emergency occurs, breastfeeding can save lives:
- Breastfeeding protects babies from the risks of a contaminated water supply.
- Breastfeeding can help protect against respiratory illnesses and diarrhea. These diseases can be fatal in populations displaced by disaster.
- Breast milk is the right temperature for babies and helps to prevent hypothermia, when the body temperature drops too low.
- Breast milk is readily available without needing other supplies.
More information on why breastfeeding is important
Read more from womenshealth.gov
- Your Guide to Breastfeeding — This easy-to-read publication provides women the how-to information and support needed to breastfeed successfully. It explains why breastfeeding is best for baby, mom, and society and how loved ones can support a mother's decision to breastfeed. Expert tips and illustrations help new moms learn how to breastfeed comfortably and how to overcome common challenges. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide/
- A Well-Kept Secret — Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This publication provides information on the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother. It includes information on physiologic effects and long-term benefits. http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJulAug01p124.html
- Benefits of Breastfeeding (Copyright © Linkages Project) — This fact sheet briefly describes the different health benefits that breastfeeding has for mothers and babies. http://www.linkagesproject.org/technical/bf_benefits.php
- Breast Milk Associated With Greater Mental Development in Preterm Infants, Fewer Re-hospitalizations — This news release describes a study which found that premature infants fed breast milk had greater mental development scores at 30 months than did infants who were not fed breast milk. Also, infants fed breast milk were less likely to have been re-hospitalized after their initial discharge than were the infants not fed breast milk. http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm
- Breastfeeding — This website briefly describes the benefits of breastfeeding and what to do if you have trouble breastfeeding, and it links to information from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development about breastfeeding. http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
- Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries — This report explains the effects of breastfeeding on short- and long-term health outcomes in developed countries. It concludes that a history of breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of many diseases in infants and mothers from developed countries. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm
- Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) — This publication discusses the benefits of breastfeeding and the pros and cons of bottle-feeding, as well as answering common breastfeeding questions. http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/food/infants/breast_bottle_feeding.html
- Can Breastfeeding Prevent Illnesses? (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This publication explains how breastfeeding can prevent some illnesses in your baby. http://www.llli.org/FAQ/prevention.html
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