American society seems to have a different attitude toward breastfeeding sometimes than the world at large. I was shocked when I started nursing my first child a few years ago to learn that the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until the age of 2. I had always thought that one year old was the recommended age, although I knew that many cultures breastfeed far beyond that. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 1 year. I have always breastfed my children until about 14 months of age.
I am determined to breastfeed. This has not been an easy task for me with my 2nd and 3rd child who have both suffered from food sensitivities. Their sensitivities directly affect my diet. But, I want to breastfed because I know that it is the absolute best thing for them. Plus, the added bonus is that it is FREE. Putting my baby on a formula right now with all his food issues would cost me literally hundreds of dollars a month in “special” formulas.
I was looking at the World Health Organization’s website and came across 10 Facts on Breastfeeding. You might find these interesting.
1. Exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life. At 6 months, introduce other foods, but continue breastfeeding until 2 years plus.
2. Diarrhea and pneumonia are the 2 primary causes of childhood mortality worldwide. Antibodies in the Breastmilk can protect a baby from illness.
3. It is beneficial to mothers too. “It reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life, helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster, and lowers rates of obesity”
4. Breastfed babies can grow up to be more intelligent adults, and have less chance of disease
5. Infant formula does NOT contain the antibodies found in breastmilk.
6. HIV can be passed through the breastmilk.
7. An international code to regulate the marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted in 1981.
8. There are over 20,000 facilities in 152 countries to help breastfeeding mamas.
9. Many women who return to work give up breastfeeding altogether.
10. At 6 months, breastfeeding should not be decreased when introducing new foods.
Maybe some of these facts you already knew, maybe some you didn’t. But, I wish that our country would step up when it comes to breastfeeding. I have heard more than one man (and woman) say that breastfeeding is gross, or it “creeps them out”. This bothers me. Breastfeeding is the way God intended our children to be fed. As a society, we rush to start our babies eating solid foods at 4 months old. Pediatricians often encourage this. The truth is, our babies need their mother’s milk for optimal health. And, some Americans are embarrassed or ashamed to breastfeed. I say, be proud. Many women long to breastfeed their children and can’t for health reasons or lack of supply. But, those cases are rare. If you can feed your child breastmilk count yourself lucky, and don’t stop nursing after a few weeks. It is hard, but the benefits are long-lasting for both you and your baby!