My Experience with Breastfeeding

              After experiencing a challenging pregnancy and speaking with a Lactation Consultant, I knew that I wanted to breast feed my son.  The first time I held and nursed him, I was so nervous yet excited at the same time. I was unsure if I was doing it right but I wanted to keep trying until I got the hang of it. After a couple of attempts I got the hang of it and he latched on perfectly. Once I got it down packed, I felt empowered like I was becoming a mini pro at it. I always looked forward to nursing my son because that was our special bonding time. I always called it our cuddle time. He would get excited every time I got him in position to nurse. He would kick his legs and when he was able to smile he would look up at me and smile. I would always look down at him and would sing a song that I would make up off the top of my head.

Although I was successful at nursing, I was not very successful at pumping. Pumping was so annoying. I did not enjoy it at all. It was time consuming and it took so much to only get a little bit of milk out. I had my son all the time during his first year so even when he spent time with his dad I was there to nurse him on demand. I breast fed for six months only because by six months my son had six teeth and he bit me so hard one day that it brought me to tears. After the bite I was done. No more breast milk for him. Although I wanted to breastfeed for a year, I am still happy that I was able to at least do it for six months.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed infants for their first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health, yet globally less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. However, in many poorer parts of the world where water is not clean, food may be scarce and formula expensive, breastfeeding can make a critical difference in children’s health, well-being and life expectancy”(Staff 2012). In many developing countries breastfeeding your baby gives your baby a higher survival rate. A study was conducted in Ghana and here were the results,

“A study done in a rural area of Ghana evaluated the time of first breastfeeding after birth. Breastfeeding was initiated within the first 24 hrs after birth in 71% of infants. The later the start of breastfeeding the greater the risk of neonatal death. Infants given any food or fluids before breastfeeding was established on day 1 of life also had higher risk of neonatal mortality. The authors estimated that 22% of neonatal deaths (death between 2 and 28 days of age) could be prevented by starting breastfeeding within 1 hr of birth” (Edmond, 2006).

“A large study in Nepal of 22,838 breastfed newborns who lived until at least 48 hours of age, found that only 3.4% of infants were breastfed within the first hour or life and only 57% were breastfed within the first 24 hours of life. They estimated that 19% of all neonatal deaths could be avoided by initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of life” (Mullany, 2008).

Breastfeeding for many mothers in developing countries can be the matter of life and death, whereas in countries that are developed have other feeding options.

            Breastfeeding have so many benefits and is so many reasons to choose it.

“Breast milk helps keep your baby healthy.

·        It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions.

·        It protects against allergies, sickness, and obesity.

·        It protects against diseases, like diabetes and cancer.

·        It protects against infections, like ear infections.

·        It is easily digested – no constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach.

·        Babies have healthier weights as they grow.

·        Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests.

Breast milk changes constantly to meet babies' needs.

The milk changes in volume and composition according to the time of day, nursing frequency, and age of baby to promote healthy growth. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby.

Breast milk is always ready and good for the environment.”

·        It is available wherever and whenever your baby needs it.

·        It is always at the right temperature, clean and free.

·        No bottles to clean.

·        Breastfeeding has no waste, so it is good for the environment.

Since I have experienced breastfeeding first hand and I have witnessed the effects it has on a baby’s development, I will try to encourage the mothers at my center to try it. I would suggest to my employer to have a Lactation Consultant come and host a workshop that will explain the benefits of breastfeeding. The Lactation Consultant will demonstrate how to breastfeed and the correct positioning when doing so. They will also demonstrate how to pump milk by using a breast pump and what proper garments should be worn while breastfeeding. In partnership with my employer and the Lactation Consultant, I will offer emotional support to the mothers because I know how the experience can be. Hopefully, my efforts will be effective and more mothers at my center will consider breastfeeding.

 

References

Staff 2012. Breastfeeding Around the World Retrieved from: http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world

Breastfeeding Around the World: Statistics on Breastfeeding Around the World. Retrieved from: http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/cgibin/deliver.cgi/content/International/imp_statistics.html

Why is Breastfeeding Important? Retrieved from: http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/breastfeeding/importance.htm

 

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