Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a special bond between a mother and child. Nation wide breastfeeding is common. Currently, I am not a mother but I have always imagined that I would breastfeed my children. Growing up I always wondered why my mother never breast fed any of my siblings. When I asked my mother why her reply was "After marriage I had all of you back to back. It would have been hard and draining to breastfeed because right after birth I had to go right back to work to help with providing for the family". A part of me understood her reasoning because it was a struggle growing up and my parents worked a lot to make sure our basic needs were taken care of. A major reason why I chose breastfeeding because it is not common at all in my family. I have 8 sisters and not one of them breast fed any of there children. I want to be the difference in my family. I want to have that connection with my children. Also, I want to be able to ensure that my child have the best nutrition.

There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Listed below are a few ways of how it is beneficial to the baby, mother, and the family

For the baby

• Protection against childhood diseases, since breast milk contains antibodies
• Breast Milk has micronutrients not found in formula
• Less Infant illness, including allergies, ear infections, stomach upsets
• Balance of nutrition (fat, protein, etc.) adjusts to age of baby

For the Mother

• Easier bonding with the child
• Reduced risk of breast cancer and oesteoporosis
• No formula to prepare; no sterilization
• Satisfaction of meeting infant basic needs

For the Family

• Less stress on the father, especially at night
• Increased family income (because formula and medical care are expensive)
• Increased survival of other children (because of spacing of births)

For more information on of Benefits of Breast-Feeding you can visit http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/12/breastfeeding.html

Although breastfeeding is universal the rates in other countries vary. Australia is the country I chose to research. Breastfeeding is Australia is highly encouraged.  This country even has made laws to protect women who breastfeed. Approximately 92 per cent of Australian babies are breastfed at birth However, there was a sharp decline in both full and any breastfeeding with each month post birth. A primary reason why the rate in breastfeeding dropped is because women return to work. Some other leading causes are inadequate milk supply, problems with breastfeeding, and some feel it is just a need to stop. Australia developed a breastfeeding strategy to help promote, protect, support, and monitor breastfeeding. The full strategy can be viewed at Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy.

In addition, I took the liberty of finding information about how people viewed woman who breast fed in public. In each country there are different views. In Australia the government created laws to protect mother's who wish to breastfeed in public. These laws protect them from any discrimination in the workplace, in public restaurants, as well as any where in the community. There are hotlines available for woman who experience negative comments about breastfeeding publicly. For the Full list of laws you can visit Breast-Feeding in public, your legal right.

I believe that the information I gathered can be useful to all mother's. As a home childcare provider I hope to promote breastfeeding. Woman should have the opportunity to experience breastfeeding regardless of if they have to work or not. I believe that by communicating the benefits and the importance of breastfeeding it will encourage mothers (starting with my sisters) to start breastfeeding. Also, I feel that once I have a child of my own and breastfeed this will be proof to my family that breastfeeding can be done while working. Some people say "I believe it when I see it" so I want to be the proof that people need.

Reference
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.