Saturday, January 18, 2014

Breastfeeding as a Public Health Concern

It has been proven time and time again that breast milk is best for newborn babies and that the process is integral for nurturing positive bonding between children and their caregivers. There is a wealth of information and support for breastfeeding that is readily accessible, yet so many women in modern societies choose against it.  Those that choose to start breastfeeding, also do not generally do so for very long.  Why the shift in ideals?  Some women stop breastfeeding due to complications or medical issues, but I think that for the most part the decision to choose alternate feeding methods, especially in more industrialized nations is based on social stigma and lack of support.  While I am happy to see a resurgence in acceptance for the practice, and more facilities available to women, I still feel that a much greater effort needs to be made in order to protect the rights of families.  I also feel that in today's society it is just too easy to give up on the process.  There are a multitude of formulas and medical interventions that tend to be more convenient than breastfeeding, especially for mothers who must return to work early on in their newborn's life. Even returning to work in a child care facility, I found it difficult to continue with effective breastfeeding for my second child.  

Reflecting on this topic, I found myself thinking of a colleague of mine who moved to Northern Alaska to teach children of Eskimo, Inuit, and other Northern/Arctic Native cultures.  I was wondering if the remoteness of their villages made breastfeeding more of a priority.  What I discovered was that their distance from more "connected" locations meant little.  They still exist within the confines of developed nations which offered similar resources to all residents.  Countries like Russia, the US, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and the like, distribute information and resources to even the farthest reaches of their boundaries.  Luxuries such as worldwide shipping and the Internet allow for the sharing of information and goods.  The result is the same decline in percentage of breastfeeding mothers.  Programs intending to increase numbers contain all of the same facts and figures that you would find in any current facility.  The only difference that I discovered was a greater reference to "honor" and "respect"; words which hold great weight in many Native cultures.  

My discoveries surprised me a bit, and I realized that the most important thing that I can do to support breastfeeding families is to continue to share information and resources, advocate for the families' choices, provide references, and share my own stories regarding my own experiences.   
 

4 comments:

  1. Hi Dana,
    I breast fed all three of my children, and I truly believe it is the best thing you can do for your newborn. I believe there is a lot more support for mothers who breastfeed.

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  2. I am shocked that a native small nit area would choose to have supplies shipped to them instead of breastfeed. I breastfeed my child for 13 months and I was forced to stop from health reasons. I encourage every mother to breast feed their children at least for a few months but a year is the best. I believe the only reason to use formula the first year is because you were unable to breast feed or health reasons.

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  3. The topic of breastfeeding as a public health concern was enlightening. Statistically most women who do chose to breast feed provide their baby with substantial nutrients! Hence, it may be considerate a bit of an inconvenience for mothers in the daily workforce.

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  4. Hi Dana I agree with you on breast feeding is the best thing that you can do for your newborn. It is a way for the mother and the baby to bond also. I think that you picked a great topic to discuss.

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