Breastfeeding

Breast-feeding interested me because of the discussion from week one. Breast feeding is a bonding mechanism from a mother to a child. The mother is continuing the bonding process where the child receives milk in which the mother produces. It cost efficient, prevents disease and promotes health.

I learned in Africa that Breastfeeding is very normal. As women they are free to walk around and breast feed their children. In some studies it showed mothers who worked did not have time to breastfeed, but in poor areas the mother was adequately able to breast feed.

There was an interesting study I wanted to share with everyone. It was a study
Explore why women initiate breastfeeding early or late, who gives advice about initiation and what food or fluids are given when initiation is late.

Two facts that stood out to me where:

Beliefs about ‘first milk’ were mixed. A belief that it was harmful sometimes resulted in delayed feeding as women waited for the ‘good’ milk to come, however, some women squeezed the milk out and fed on day one.

Other reasons for late initiation were that the baby did not cry (indicating it was not hungry) or because the mother or baby needed rest after a long or difficult birth.

My work is impacted by the way, I need to be more cultural aware that breastfeeding is accepted in some families and some may not and that is okay. I know that maybe if the child is lacking some bonding with the mother, that I may not impose my views of maybe suggesting breastfeeding.

 Reference:http://www.countdown2015mnch.org/2005conference/alldocs/Tawiah.ppt