2 minute read
Breastfeeding Awareness
BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE
Deborah Risper
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Breastfed is the best fed! Babies that are breastfed in my experience have a great overall quality of life. In
this new era, many women are opting to breastfeed their children. If I could be honest, I don’t blame them one bit! Too many chemicals and harmful substances
are being added to food. As a Mom of four, I wish I had all of the great knowledge with my first two children as I did with the last two. One of the things I learned that separates those two times in my life is having access to more information and maturity allowed me to see the benefits of breastfeeding my last two children.
Outside of feeding my children, bonding was everything. The bond & trust build between baby and Mom is like no other. As a Mom you always want your children to feel safe while with you. The breastfeeding experience offers this. I can recall as my baby girl got older and no longer desired to nurse, I felt a sense of separation or a bond that was broken. While I was feeling like I had conquered a huge task, my baby girl was becoming a “big” girl. The time spent nursing her and pumping milk when I was away was worth it all.
With breastfeeding being a controversial conversation I believe many perish from a lack of knowledge. Breastfeeding is not for the faint at heart. I recommend every woman to at least try breastfeeding once. Breastfeeding not only requires knowledge but support from family and friends.
If you are an expecting Mom I encourage you to learn more about breastfeeding and the benefits. Humans are the only species that feed their infants other species’ milk. Our body produces for a reason and by providing your baby the same nutrients your body uses to stay healthy, you are giving them a great quality of life. Below you will find a few key reasons to breastfeed. Please talk to your local maternity ward about classes and other support to assist you during your breastfeeding journey.
Happy Breastfeeding!
WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE Five great benefits of breastfeeding.
1. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. As the baby grows, the mother’s breast milk will change to meet her baby’s nutritional needs.
Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and longterm illnesses and diseases.
2. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.
Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby
These antibodies help babies develop a strong immune system and protect them from illnesses.
Check out these links to learn more:
3. Mothers can breastfeed anytime and anywhere.
Mothers can feed their babies on the go without worrying about having to mix formula or prepare bottles. When traveling, breastfeeding can also provide a source of comfort for babies whose normal routine is disrupted.
4. Breastfeeding can reduce the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
5. Breastfeeding has health benefits for the mother too! Some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure are less common among women who breastfeed.
