Prior to me giving birth to my son
who is now 3 years old, I was committed to the idea of breastfeeding him from
birth until 1 year-old, ( I am was able to for 10 months). It is customary in my
family for a mother to nurse her baby until the age of 1 year-old. I discovered
through research, child birthing classes and during discussions with close family
members that breastfeeding was one of the best things that I could offer to my
baby in regards to his health and in terms of developing a close knit bond with
my baby. I also discovered the multiple health benefits it offers to not only to
the infant, but to the mother in general.
I found it extremely informative
and interesting to learn about the breastfeeding practice among medical
professional women in the country of Nigeria. Sadoh A. E, Sadoh W. E and
Oniyelu, (2011) conducted an experimental analysis of 36 Nigerian medical
professional women who breastfeed their infants. This article highlights how
the Nigerian women, as medical professional, were in fact knowledgeable of the
healthy benefits of nursing their babies; however, do to their work responsibilities
were unable to do so past 6 months. May women opt to pump their milk or formula
feed. A bottle was the most used method in, which they used to feed their babies
and soon after six months cereal was introduced. According Sadoh A. E, Sadoh W.
E and Oniyelu, (2011) many of the women did not know that it was recommend for
an infant to be breastfeed until 2 years old.
As an aspired center Director, one
of the ways I hope to enlighten my parents on the benefits of breastfeeding is
through monthly newsletters. I also envision setting up a parent resource board
as I have one now in my family child care setting. I believed my personal experiences
and this assignment will enable me in the future, to be able to connect with my
parents in a very meaningful yet appropriate way in regards to the research surround
breast feed. I also envision having a private room in my child care facility
where mothers can come in before drop off or during their lunch break or right
before pick to nurse their infant. I also believe that breastfeeding has deepened
my understanding about the topic, secure attachment.
References
Sadoh
A. E, Sadoh W. E, Oniyelu P., (2011). Breastfeeding Practice among Medical Women in Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journel (52)1, 7-12. Retrieved, July 6, 2012 from
Academic Search Complete.
HI Rachel,
ReplyDeleteHaving a separate room for nursing mothers is a great way to encourage moms to continue to breastfeed.
One of the bigger problems we face as a society is obesity. I think the prevalence of formula could be one of the underlying reasons for it. It's not that formula is inherently bad, but I think parents overfeed with formula and it causes babies to get fat.
Here in Korea, you can see it. Formula fed babies are usually chubbier and bigger than breastfed babies. Of course, there are exceptions, as my son has been solely breastfeed and he is HUGE!
I think babies should be breastfed, but if it is impossible, I think parents should be educated about how much and how often babies should be fed formula.
What do you think?
I couldn't agree with you more! Like you mentioned there are exceptions, (i.e. genetics). But I do believe that most man made foods consumed by infants and human in general effects our bio physical appearance. Breast milk is natural and processed easily by a baby's system. More often then not an infant becomes hungry faster when breastfeed. On the other hand formula is not natural and it has some many manufactured ingredients and unnatural sugars...sugar turn into fat as we know. Same thing with fruits and vegetables. You look at a banana that is "organic" vs a non-organic banana there is a big physical difference same in animals etc. I went to the store today and I saw an apple that was as big as my hand and I was terrified, (not literal, but figuratively) I was like on my goodness what in the world. Although I have spoke with my doctor about this, you have spark my interest, I will have to look at the evidence based research surround this issue. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello Rachel, the topic of breastfeed is one that is close to my heart. As previously mentioned, I wasn't able to do it when I was having my children. However, it is a topic that I continually speak about to those I know having children and especially to the young mothers in my community. My godson is half Nigerian, so the information you provided was quite interesting and sparked a conversation with the Nigerians that I know. Thanks
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