Since
the beginning of time breastfeeding has been the biological and healthy method
for baby to receive the proper nutrition. Mothers also receive many health
benefits from breastfeeding, according to Womenshealth.gov breastfeeding
mothers are at a lower risk of developing diabetes type 2, breast and ovarian
cancer and postpartum depression. In recent years many consider formula to be
the natural process to feed a newborn, infant and even toddler without ever
knowing there are health risks associated with formula for both a baby and a
mother. Despite many efforts of our community raising awareness and accepting
the breastfeeding benefits for mom and baby, many citizens of this country
criticize breastfeeding as being inappropriate. To even go as far as feeling disgusted,
after just seeing a picture of mothers breastfeeding posted online, the internet or posters for
campaigns to raise acknowledgement. Redefining the word “breastfeeding” in our
society is a must because of what the citizens of this country believe it
means.
According
to CBS News in the article published “Mayor Bloomberg’s Infant Formula Plan
Aimed at Promoting Breast-feeding in NYC Hospitals”, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is
taking action on breastfeeding; he has implemented an initiative in which
mothers will be encouraged to breastfeed rather than formula feeding right
after giving birth at the hospitals. Formula will keep locked just as many of
the other medications, and nurses will have to sign a form to give patients the
formula. The Mayor had many disapproving his plan of action and has stirred up
a big controversy; many pointing fingers at him and accusing him of being to
forceful and not letting mother decide for themselves according to the article.
Towards the bottom of the website article many commented on these issues
saying, “I don't get it... Abortion is okay, but formula is bad?” “I can't believe
Bloomberg is interfering in women's issues. They have SOOOO had enough of this
crap,” “never write comments online about anything, but I HAD to on what this
idiot mayor is involving himself regarding breastfeeding.”
The
National Alliance for Breast-feeding advocacy says “it’s a good program.” The executive director of the Alliance’s
stated that keeping baby formula under lock will force the medical team to
encourage mothers and promote breastfeeding, rather than handing out bottles.
This will not only benefit babies and mothers from developing diseases, but the
government saves money over time. It is obvious that what the mayor is trying
to do for mothers was taken out of context, it is clear that he wants to create
an environment where mothers are successful with breastfeeding. Our country is
so twisted that we think that what is biologically normal for both our bodies to
do to nourish our babies to can be described as repulsive.
It is obvious that the citizens of
this country have become way to sensitive and involved as well as outspoken in
issues that are not relevant to their well-being. In this case many mothers
have become intimidated by many who believe that breastfeeding their children
in pubic is repulsive. In June of 2012 author Amanda Peterson Beadle published
the article Controversy Erupts over
Photos of Military Women Breastfeeding on Think Progress Health. Pictures
of two military mothers’ breastfeeding their babies created a serious of
disagreements in Fairchild Air Force Base outside of Spokane, Washington, when
posters with this pictures when created during a campaign to raise
breastfeeding awareness. Many disapproved of these pictures calling them
according to Peterson Beadle “disgrace to the uniform.” Many women didn’t stop.
There were some who were compared as beautiful heartfelt pictures “equivalent
to urinating in public and criticism that broke with military tradition,”
according to the article many inside the military had their fair share to say.
She goes on to saying that there are Acts that protect working mothers that
require accommodations in the workforce providing breastfeeding support.
Another
clear example of how distorted our society has become was the cover of Times
magazine this year ignited a breastfeeding debated because a mother on the
front cover is breastfeeding her 3 year old. The three year old is standing on
a stool hands free while mom is also standing up straight. WTVR.com is the news
channel covering the story, they posted the story on their Facebook were many
attacked it by saying “it’s just gross and indecent,” “ewe,” not surprised how ignorant
people have become. For many centuries there was no formula and mothers
breastfeed for many and many years. Third world countries tend to extend the
breastfeeding time-lapse to age three, according to parentdish.com. It is only
in our society that breasts are seen as a sexual tool and not what they are
actually intended for,” nourishing babies.” However, it is customary to see
breast and even women nude exposing all their body on magazine covers; no one
complains about that!
It is imperative that Americans take
a moment and analyze the importance of breastfeeding and start to acknowledge
how greatly it benefits a baby, mother, community, government and even the environment.
There are so many risks factors that come with formula feeding; it’s not the
natural way of doing things. Many babies who try breast milk and later are
formula feed prefer to be breastfed also tend to experience more constipation,
spit up more and are more colicky among man other issues according to the
Babble Baby Feeding Guide. There is also a risk of a child becoming obese since
by not knowing the correct portions of formula to give an infant. Many children
also experience tooth decay as a result of being bottle feed. There are many
factors to put into perspective with determining what is best for baby and
mother, making an educated decision can save a mothers or a baby’s life.
There
are many reasons why as parents and community members we should take
responsibility and make the much needed decision to shift our way of thinking,
why formula should not be the 1st choice and breastfeeding should be
the norm. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that a baby
is exclusively breastfed for the first six months of his/her life, after six
months slowly introducing solids while continuing to breastfeed until 12 months
of age, and continuing to breastfeeding for as long as baby and mother desire.
Oregon is the 2nd state in our nation to have the highest breastfeeding with
initiation rate over 90%, according to the Oregon Health Authority website.
After six months only 35% of mother is breastfeeding because of an array of
barriers mothers face, work, school, lack of support, trauma to the nipples,
latch problems, etc. However, any amount of breast milk will benefit the child
in the long run. Breastfeeding the first six months of life saves the
government money but more importantly lives. Breastfeeding saves money and
lives according the article” Study:
Breast-feeding would save lives,” money published by USA Today that concluded that the analysis studied the predominance
of common illness among children whom were not breastfeed, the treating of
those diseases, including hospitalization.
An economists’ calculation was about 13 billion which was the estimated
loss based on potential lifetime wages, including 10.56 million per death. The
website also stated that “in 2001 the government cited in a reported that about
3.6 billion each year if 50% of mother breast-fed their babies for six months.
Medical costs have climbed since then and breast-feeding rate has increased
only slightly.” But the most important
piece of evidence is that about 900 babies would be saved each year, this was
depicted from a published online in the Pediatric journal. A published
brochure from INFACT Canada share on it that there are risks that many are not
aware of while formula feeding. Many of the risks include higher risk of ear,
lung and infection from contaminated formula, lower intelligence, rick of
allergy, asthma, heart disease, SIDS, obesity, childhood cancer, diarrhea and
diabetes type I and II. The benefits for mothers who breastfeed are: it reduces the chance of developing
breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding
also helps the mother heal quicker from delivery and helps bring mother back to
pre-pregnancy weight. Breast milk changes from feed to feed, and on a day to
day basis to fit the baby’s need, more importantly the bond that is created
between the mother and baby is indestructible.
While
many are disgusted, repulsed or even overwhelmed by nature’s way of nourishing
a baby, it is important to educate the American population with what the
benefits of breastfeeding are. Remind them that this was the luxury that many
of our ancestors practiced and that breasts are not to be used for sexual
pleasure but rather to raise our children. Educating and redefining the work
accommodations for “breastfeeding mothers,” in our society is an urgent matter.
Actions that are sexual have become natural and the natural has become sexual. The
Mardi Gras Carnival is a vivid example of this. It is the yearly celebration
where women expose their breasts and other private areas for entertainment of
others, this is a personal choice and so is breastfeeding. While some are
offended by women breastfeeding in public and excited by others exposing
themselves, dissecting the real reason behind both should be a must in our
culture. It is very dissuading to see how a first world country cannot
understand the importance of great health practices and having a healthy start
to an adult life. Breastfeeding is nothing to be ashamed of. Better yet it’s
something that society should take pride, for a healthier America.
·
Byran, Alix and Hall,
Lorenzo. “Timely Debate And Controversy Over Breastfeeding Image.” WTVR. 2012. Web. 2 Nov. 2012.
·
CBS News Staff. “May Bloomberg’s Infant Formula Plan
Aimed Promoting Breast-feeding in NYC Hospitals.” CBS News. 2012. Web. 2 Nov. 2012.
·
“Common Problems.” Babble. Courtesy of Disney. Web. 2 Nov.
2012.
·
InFact Canadas’s. “14 Risks of Formula Feeding.” Borner
Brook, Newfoundland: Breastfeed In Action Group. Print.
·
Jones, Brent. “Study: Breastfeeding Would Save Lives,
Money”. 2012 Web. 2 Now. 2012.
·
Paterlarou, Evridiki;
Girvalaki, Charis; Brokalaki, Hero; Patelarou, Athena; Androulaki, Zacharenia;
Vardavas, Constantine. "Current Evidence On The Associations Of
Breastfeeding, Infant Formula, And Cow's Milk Introduction With Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus: A Systematic Review."Nutrition Review. Vol.70(9).(2012):
509-519. Academic Search Premier. 1 Nov. 2012.
·
Womens
Health.gov. 4th Aug. 2012. Why
Breastfeeding is important. 3 Nov. 2012. <> http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/index.html#b>
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