Importance of Breastfeeding

[2010BEBES]

More and more people are aware of the importance of breast feeding. Please mark the correct answer to see if this is more the case and the tendency.

[2010BEBES]

In order to see the Poll correctly please go to parentweb where it was entered.

http://forum.parentweb.com/index.php?topic=10993.0

Sorry for the inconvenience.

[jwp]

I wholeheartedly agree that breast feeding is important. I am still breastfeeding my son who is over a year old and I don’t have any plans to stop any time soon. However, I have friends who were not able to breastfeed at all - for example - because of medications that the mother was taking that could enter the breast milk and be dangerous for the babies to consume. I know mothers who were not even able to give their babies colustrum. With the push for all mothers to breastfeed their babies, how do we prevent mothers from feeling inadequate when they are unable to breastfeed, and feel like they are not providing the best for their child that they can?

Please understand that I am not questioning the importance of breastfeeding. As I said I am still breastfeeding my son. I applaud the efforts of groups that promote breastfeeding and the fact that breastfeeding is becoming more of the norm again which is how it should be. I just don’t like the fact that some mothers feel very guilty when they can’t breastfeed.

There is also a grey area for women who choose not to breastfeed. I think with education this is becoming less and less common, but there are still some women who choose not to.

I think it would be interesting to add to the poll a choice for women who had babies and chose not to breastfeed versus those who could not breastfeed at all because of medical reasons. I would also be interested in seeing a poll for how long women choose to breastfeed for. I would expect with the increased education of how important breastfeeding for at least a year is, that there would be an increase in the length of time women breastfeed now compared to 5 years ago.

Sorry for rambling on your thread! This is a very interesting topic!

[baz]

breastfeeding .. another reason to do it!

“Mums should breastfeed for at least four months to avoid having naughty kids,” reported The Sun.
Yesterday's article from Nursingtimes.net
http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-specialisms/childrens-nursing/are-breastfed-babies-better-behaved/5029802.article

A summary taken from BabyFriendly initiative :-
New data from Millennium Cohort Study shows link between breastfeeding and behavioural problems
A new study on breastfeeding and its association with behavioural problems has received widespread coverage in the media today.

Researchers, using data from the Millennium Cohort Study, have found that babies who are breastfed are less likely to become children with behaviour problems by the time they reach the age of five than those who receive formula milk.

A total of 10,037 mother–child pairs from white ethnic background (9,525 term and 512 preterm children) were included in the analyses. Duration of any breastfeeding was ascertained from parental interview at study baseline, when the children were aged 9 months. They used a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire completed by the parents to score children and identify potential behavioural problems, defined as “inappropriate behaviours that occur repeatedly over a period of time, have a negative impact on the child's development and interfere with the child's or their family's everyday life." These can include emotional (e.g. clinginess, anxiety), hyperactivity (e.g. restlessness), and conduct (e.g. lying and stealing), by the time the child was aged five.

The authors found that abnormal scores for the questionnaires, which indicate potential behavioural problems, were less common in children breastfed for at least four months (6%) than in formula-fed children (16%). The lower risk of a full-term breastfed child having abnormal scores for behaviour were also noted even when the researchers took into account other influences such as socio-economic or parental factors.

The authors concluded: “Our findings suggest that longer duration of breastfeeding (at all or exclusively) is associated with having fewer parent-rated behavioural problems in term children.”

[krksona]

 hi,
i'm just into the forum.. i have a 65 month old boy and doctor suggested me to breast feed atleas 6 motnhs compulsory, and another helath care provider from whom i attended parenting class suggested me to breastfeed upto 4 years. feeding the baby for a year is normal in india and earlier days mother fed their babies until they are 4. but now i really question like is it really possible to breastfeed upto 4years??

[krksona]

i'm sorry, i  typed it wrong, its 6 month baby not 65!!!

[baz]

Hi krksona ,
Interesting indeed there are so many different takes on how long we should be breastfeeding our babies..

Sharing an article suggesting that prolonged exclusive breastfeeding could lead to obesity..
quoted from blogs.babble.com

Exclusively breastfeeding too little or too long can cause obesity.

The New York magazine blog Grub Street brought up an interesting juxtaposition the other day, suggesting that American mothers don’t breastfeed long enough, while mothers in the UK breastfeed too long.  That’s because most American mothers don’t breastfeed exclusively for the first four months of life as the American Association of Pediatrics recommends, but British mothers are taught to abide by the rules of the World Health Organization that suggest they should offer their infants breastmilk exclusively for the first six months of life.

Dr. Mary Fewtrell, a pediatrician in London, believes “there is a higher risk of a baby developing iron-deficiency anemia and food allergies like celiac disease if kids don’t get certain solid foods before they’re 6 months old.”  So the Brits are hoping to move to a model that encourages mothers to start feeding their infants some solids in addition to breastmilk at around 4 months of age.

Interestingly enough, Fewtrell and her colleagues also believe that “prolonged exclusive breast feeding may reduce the window for introducing new tastes, particularly bitter taste which may be important in the later acceptance of green leafy vegetables.”  They feel this could “encourage unhealthy eating in later life and lead to obesity.”

What is even more remarkable is that supplementing breastmilk with juice or solids too early is thought to have the same obesity-causing effect. 
A new study in Pediatrics shows that 20 percent of babies in low-income families in North Carolina “were fed solid foods or juice by age 1 month; and by 3 months old, 70 percent were getting fed something (often fruit juice or added cereal) in addition to milk or formula.”  Rodale.com reports that “Infants fed these foods consume 100 more calories a day than infants given only formula or only breast milk, which can lead to babies who are overweight for their height.”

The golden rule then when it comes to feeding an infant seems to be to breastfeed exclusively for the first four months of life, then begin to offer them vegetable puree to ensure they develop a healthy taste palette.

[A_BC]

My baby is 8 months now and he's always been breastfed. He showed interest in food when he was 5 months, so I introduced solids at that time and it was very easy as it was baby-led "feeding". I am planning to continue nursing till he will be 2. Nursing till that age is important for me as I am a Muslim and there is a verse in the Qur'an stating that:

"The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do.  (The Noble Quran, 2:233)"

Moreover, the World Health Organization recommends the same age for weaning. Here are few statements in favor for prolonged breastfeeding:


-  “There is no evidence that breastfeeding a child beyond infancy is harmful. Quite the opposite is true: breastfeeding benefits toddlers and young children, both nutritionally and psychologically. Breastmilk remains a valuable source of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins well beyond two years of age. (1) Immunities in breastmilk become more concentrated as nurslings mature; (2) at the same time, the likelihood of allergies decreases. (3) Mothers who nurse past  infancy derive benefits as well, including a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer the longer she continues nursing. (4)  Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood. In fact, prolonged nursing is associated with better social adjustment. Breastfeeding past infancy is as old as humanity. Still common in Western cultures as recently as a hundred years ago, the practice then underwent a sharp decline. Now, extended breastfeeding is becoming more popular, and medical professionals are beginning to recognize how valuable it is. While the American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledges the value of breastfeeding for the entire first year of life, the US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond." www.llli.org/law/lawextended.html

- “We have noticed that children who have been weaned too early show what we call diseases of premature weaning: aggression, anger, more tantrum-like behavior, anxious clinging to caregivers, and less ability to form deep and intimate relationships. Breastfeeding seems to mellow out the aggressive tendencies of toddlers and restores balance into their behavior.” – Dr William Sears, The Discipline Book, 1997

“…, it has been my challenge to the criminal justice system to find one murderer, rapist, or drug addict in any correctional facility in America who has been breastfed for ‘two years and beyond’, as recommended by the World Health Organization.” – Dr James Prescott, ‘Touch the Future’, Spring 1997.

[baz]

Hi A_BC,

Cheers to you for championing breastfeeding! i'm 100% pro breastfeeding too!

if you noticed I posted previously in this thread :
Mums should breastfeed for at least four months to avoid having naughty kids

and then quoted :

" The golden rule then when it comes to feeding an infant seems to be to breastfeed exclusively for the first four months of life, then begin to offer them vegetable puree to ensure they develop a healthy taste palette"

I guess both article has a common theme..
that breastfeeding is good! preferably for a longer duration! (at least 4 months as per the study) BUT suggested not to be done Exclusively for too short or too long a period.

Notice the word EXCLUSIVELY is mentioned a few times in that article on obesity.. It recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first four months of life, then begin to offer them vegetable puree to ensure they develop a healthy taste palette.

 

[A_BC]

Hi qzee,

I noticed the word exclusively too. The reason why I didn't offer solid earlier is that I live in the UK and you know about the recommendations here 

[2010BEBES]

Thanks to all for your participation.
The poll results show that breastfeeding has become very very important and most woman go for it.

My grandaughter (3 month old) is being breastfeed (no formula requiered yet) and I am greatfull that my daughter has more milk for her.  I' ve heard that it is important to drink a lot of water in order to keep producing milk and keep away from stress. She wants to breastfeed at least until her baby is 6 month old. But..... it is a lot of work specially if you are a working mom. She has to take milk at the office and save it for the next day. This procedure takes more or less 2 hours divided into 3 times. She reaches ghe end of the week very tired.

there are 3 questions that will derive from this thread and i will alow myself to open them and see if we have more persons sharing their opinion. they will be:
1) If you did not breastfed your baby at all or until 4 month old, tell us why?
2) What to do for having milk and prolonging breastfeeding
3) When did you start giving solid food and what type?

[dna]

Hi, I try to give my views on 2) and 3)

2) always remember supply = demand. While I'm at home I will latch directly. If I going to work, I will pump in the office and store the milk in the mini fridge and transfer to the thermal bag when Iagra el back. I didn't take any supplements to maintain the milk supply though. I think enough rest and stressless mood is very crucial in maintaining the milk supply. More importantly is do not fall sick, there was once I fall sick and my supply drops drastically. So eat more nutritious food to stay healthy

3) I started solids to my baby at 5.5 months old, only on rice cereal because she shows interests in food and she is always hungry (milk is no longer satisfied her stomach). At 6 months old, I started vege and fruit puree. So far I gave sweet potato, cauliflower, avocado, apple

You can refer to this website for information on weaning. There are a lot of goof information available. And there are recipes available too http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/readyforsolids.htm

I borrowed Annabel karmel's books to get some ideas on recipes too.

[mclainpauline]

Breastfeeding is very much important for all new born babies because breast milk is easily digestive for babies and helpful to grow baby. Breastfeeding provides lot of nutrition,vitamins and proteins to the baby which is most necessary for baby's growth.

[khatty]

In response to a question of it is possible to breastfeed for 4 years? Yes. My sister breastfed her youngest child till she was 6. I also found this interesting slideshow on the history of breastfeeding.
http://thebabybond.com/NaturalWeaningAgeUPDATED.pdf

[sharjeel]

i think so brestfeeding is necessary for baby and mam both because mother feed is healty for baby and i also hear that its good for mama's also because breastfeeding so helpfull to stop breast cancer,

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