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Is breast best? No, its simply normal.
By Jessica Pritchard
Breastfeeding rates in Australia are pretty low with just a third of all babies being breastfed at 6 months, dropping to 23% at 12 months and with only 1% of Australian babies still being breastfed at 24 months despite the WHO's recommendations that children be breastfed for a minimum of 2 years and the world average age of weaning being 3.5.
90-95% of women are physically capable of nourishing their own infants. Our breastfeeding rates, just like our intervention rates in birth, are not reflective of women’s failures or of mothers failures. They are reflective of the failure of our society to give women the support they need to establish a breastfeeding relationship with their child.
We live in a society that places more value on stacking supermarket shelves than on raising children. Where retail managers are paid more than childcare workers or teachers. And where companies with a vested interest hold a monopoly over the information health professionals receive about lactation.
It's only recently that formula companies have been banned from giving out samples of formula that last just long enough for a mothers milk to dry up. This is still happening on a massive scale in third world countries where unsanitary conditions, poverty and poor water quality mean that infants in their thousands are dying for want of breast milk.
It's the warped perceptions of our western culture when it comes to the function of breasts and women and the lack of support and recognition of the importance of breast milk that we have so many mothers feeling like artificial feeding is their only choice.
All women should have access to appropriate support and information with which to make an informed decision when it comes to the method of feeding their child.
But in order to prevent hurt feelings, the language used to promote breastfeeding has been cloaked in softer terms - presented as "breast is best" and focusing solely on the benefits of breastfeeding rather than the risks of artificial feeding.
This is like saying there are benefits to not being exposed to radiation or the benefits of not walking in front of a moving car. Its misleading and damaging.
So, the facts. Breastmilk is species specific - human milk made specifically for growing human babies. It contains long chain fatty acids that are required for brain growth and development. Bovine milk contains lots of fat and protein, perfect for building big, strong cows. Therefore, breastfed infants are more likely to meet their IQ potential than their formula fed peers.
Breastmilk contains over 300 known ingredients and I'm sure a lot more unknown ingredients while formula contains just 40 with the main ingredient being sugar.
The composition of breastmilk changes from day to day, breastfeed to breastfeed, tailoring itself to the specific needs of the baby. So in hot weather, breastmilk has been shown to contain more water to aid hydration, the milk of a mother who has given birth prematurely will be higher in protein and immunoglobulins to aid growth and to protect the infant from infection.
Similarly when there is sickness in the house, the level of pathogen specific antibodies are increased in a mothers milk. By breastfeeding her baby, a mother is essentially transferring her developed immune system to her vulnerable infant.
Formula fed infants are 14 times more likely to be hospitalised for gastroenteritis and respiratory illnesses and are at higher risk of SIDS.
Marsha Walker, in her article, "A Fresh Look at The Risks of Artificial Feeding," published in the JOURNAL OF HUMAN LACTATION sates that "Formula feeding is consistently associated with immune system disorders," "artificial feeding accelerates the development of celiac disease, is a risk factor for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis in adulthood, accounts for two to twenty-six percent of childhood-onset insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [and] imposes a five- eight-fold risk of developing lymphomas in children under fifteen if they were formula-fed or breastfed for less than six months."
Most people think that infant formula's are strictly monitored and regulated, the actual fact being that today, manufacturers are required simply to include an insignificant number of mandated ingredients and to list them on the package.
Even one bottle of formula changes the flora of a babies gut and increases overall body temperature by 1 degree Celsius (because it takes a lot more effort to digest) and can affect the delicate supply and demand system of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding also has exceptional benefits for the mother. A study done in 2002, showed that there is a 54% increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who bottlefeed their babies.
"Choosing" to birth your baby naturally, choosing to breastfeed your child is not about demanding something special or different. Its about wanting what’s best - what’s normal - for you and your baby. Its simply what mothers do. Its a fundamental human right.
We have some exceptional support networks in place for women to find information that is not generally available through doctors and hospitals. BaBs actively encourages informed decisions by providing all information to women.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association is one of the leading bodies in the world on human lactation and has a free 24hr helpline that can be accessed by anyone - no need to be a member.
1800 mum 2 mum - 1800 686 2 686
www.breastfeedingasn.au
www.birthingandbabies.org.au
BOOKS: Rediscovering Birth by Sheila Kitzinger
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Dr Sarah Buckley
Heart to Heart Parenting and Parenting For a Peaceful World by Robin Grille
Breastfeeding Naturally Australian Breastfeeding Association
By Jessica Pritchard
Breastfeeding rates in Australia are pretty low with just a third of all babies being breastfed at 6 months, dropping to 23% at 12 months and with only 1% of Australian babies still being breastfed at 24 months despite the WHO's recommendations that children be breastfed for a minimum of 2 years and the world average age of weaning being 3.5.
90-95% of women are physically capable of nourishing their own infants. Our breastfeeding rates, just like our intervention rates in birth, are not reflective of women’s failures or of mothers failures. They are reflective of the failure of our society to give women the support they need to establish a breastfeeding relationship with their child.
We live in a society that places more value on stacking supermarket shelves than on raising children. Where retail managers are paid more than childcare workers or teachers. And where companies with a vested interest hold a monopoly over the information health professionals receive about lactation.
It's only recently that formula companies have been banned from giving out samples of formula that last just long enough for a mothers milk to dry up. This is still happening on a massive scale in third world countries where unsanitary conditions, poverty and poor water quality mean that infants in their thousands are dying for want of breast milk.
It's the warped perceptions of our western culture when it comes to the function of breasts and women and the lack of support and recognition of the importance of breast milk that we have so many mothers feeling like artificial feeding is their only choice.
All women should have access to appropriate support and information with which to make an informed decision when it comes to the method of feeding their child.
But in order to prevent hurt feelings, the language used to promote breastfeeding has been cloaked in softer terms - presented as "breast is best" and focusing solely on the benefits of breastfeeding rather than the risks of artificial feeding.
This is like saying there are benefits to not being exposed to radiation or the benefits of not walking in front of a moving car. Its misleading and damaging.
So, the facts. Breastmilk is species specific - human milk made specifically for growing human babies. It contains long chain fatty acids that are required for brain growth and development. Bovine milk contains lots of fat and protein, perfect for building big, strong cows. Therefore, breastfed infants are more likely to meet their IQ potential than their formula fed peers.
Breastmilk contains over 300 known ingredients and I'm sure a lot more unknown ingredients while formula contains just 40 with the main ingredient being sugar.
The composition of breastmilk changes from day to day, breastfeed to breastfeed, tailoring itself to the specific needs of the baby. So in hot weather, breastmilk has been shown to contain more water to aid hydration, the milk of a mother who has given birth prematurely will be higher in protein and immunoglobulins to aid growth and to protect the infant from infection.
Similarly when there is sickness in the house, the level of pathogen specific antibodies are increased in a mothers milk. By breastfeeding her baby, a mother is essentially transferring her developed immune system to her vulnerable infant.
Formula fed infants are 14 times more likely to be hospitalised for gastroenteritis and respiratory illnesses and are at higher risk of SIDS.
Marsha Walker, in her article, "A Fresh Look at The Risks of Artificial Feeding," published in the JOURNAL OF HUMAN LACTATION sates that "Formula feeding is consistently associated with immune system disorders," "artificial feeding accelerates the development of celiac disease, is a risk factor for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis in adulthood, accounts for two to twenty-six percent of childhood-onset insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [and] imposes a five- eight-fold risk of developing lymphomas in children under fifteen if they were formula-fed or breastfed for less than six months."
Most people think that infant formula's are strictly monitored and regulated, the actual fact being that today, manufacturers are required simply to include an insignificant number of mandated ingredients and to list them on the package.
Even one bottle of formula changes the flora of a babies gut and increases overall body temperature by 1 degree Celsius (because it takes a lot more effort to digest) and can affect the delicate supply and demand system of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding also has exceptional benefits for the mother. A study done in 2002, showed that there is a 54% increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who bottlefeed their babies.
"Choosing" to birth your baby naturally, choosing to breastfeed your child is not about demanding something special or different. Its about wanting what’s best - what’s normal - for you and your baby. Its simply what mothers do. Its a fundamental human right.
We have some exceptional support networks in place for women to find information that is not generally available through doctors and hospitals. BaBs actively encourages informed decisions by providing all information to women.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association is one of the leading bodies in the world on human lactation and has a free 24hr helpline that can be accessed by anyone - no need to be a member.
1800 mum 2 mum - 1800 686 2 686
www.breastfeedingasn.au
www.birthingandbabies.org.au
BOOKS: Rediscovering Birth by Sheila Kitzinger
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Dr Sarah Buckley
Heart to Heart Parenting and Parenting For a Peaceful World by Robin Grille
Breastfeeding Naturally Australian Breastfeeding Association