Despite the overwhelming popularity of bottle feeding, the majority of us realise that Breastfeeding has significant benefits for both mother and child. Magazine articles, advertisements and hospitals have been promoting breastfeeding as a baby friendly initiative in recent years. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. Increasing popularity of healthy living and efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, favour the idea of long term breastfeeding. Yet figures still show that the majority of UK mums choose formula over breast.
Although the proportion of babies breastfed at birth in the UK rose by 7% (according to the Office for National Statistics, Infant Feeding Survey results published in 2007), overall only 35% of UK babies are being exclusively breastfed at one week, 21% at six weeks, 7% at four months and 3% at five months. UK has one of the lowest scores on the breastfeeding chart in Europe. Why are the rates so low?
We live in a fast paced environment, where - in order to achieve comfortable level of living both parents have to work (long gone are the honey-I’m-home-days). Often working mums find pumping breast milk too difficult, elaborate or uncomfortable. Also, sore and/or bleeding nipples, engorged breasts or a teething baby’s biting habits can deter even the most determined of breastfeeding heroes. In addition, bottle feeding unlike breast feeding doesn’t render mum the sole food provider – dad, grandma or nanny will do just as well. Furthermore, some mums find breastfeeding in public embarrassing.
I can relate to all of the above reasons and I fully understand that it is every mum’s personal decision whether to breastfeed or not. Yet, as a strong advocate of breastfeeding (my daughter is a bubbly one year old and we are still going strong), I feel that the issue of food choice for babies shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all it is the parent's responsibility to provide their child with the best possible start in life.
Sadly, formula feeding has become a widely practiced culture. Some mums go for formula without trying breastfeeding, because formula is more convenient or the idea of saggy breasts is too much to bear (by the way – it is a misconception, breastfeeding does not make breasts saggy, what contributes to sagginess is pregnancy and age, be assured!). And even midwives are surprisingly quick to suggest a bottle to a new mum who is struggling with the latching on process. Yes, I’ve been there!
Sadly, formula feeding has become a widely practiced culture. Some mums go for formula without trying breastfeeding, because formula is more convenient or the idea of saggy breasts is too much to bear (by the way – it is a misconception, breastfeeding does not make breasts saggy, what contributes to sagginess is pregnancy and age, be assured!). And even midwives are surprisingly quick to suggest a bottle to a new mum who is struggling with the latching on process. Yes, I’ve been there!
Breastfeeding is crucial to every baby’s development and its benefits for both mother and baby simply outgrow the drawbacks (not that I can think of any drawbacks to be honest...). It is worth to persevere at breastfeeding your baby because...
Breastfeeding is...
Good for Baby
Breastfeeding is indisputably the most natural way of nurturing a baby. The motherly love and affection communicated during nursing contributes greatly to bonding and has no equals when it comes to comforting little ones. Baby’s idea of a hug is snuggling to mum’s breast. Breastfeeding provides all the nutrients that baby needs. Breast milk contains antibodies which are passed into baby and help lower the occurrence of medical conditions such as ear infections, diarrhoea, meningitis and respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections; it may also prevent allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity and SIDS.
Due to its components, breast milk is more easily digested than formula; limiting incidents of diarrhoea and constipation to minimum. As it contains a unique combination of vitamins and minerals and is tailor made to baby’s needs and appetite, its properties adjust as your baby grows. So although formula pretends to be breast milk, until the complexity of the latter is fully understood, bottle feeding will have to remain the imperfect method of nurturing, to say the least.
Good for Mum
Breastfeeding Mums are at lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and hip fractures. Furthermore, a long-term study of the National Institutes of Health - Women’s Health Initiative –revealed that women who breastfed for at least 7 to 12 months after giving birth had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Alongside many health benefits, breastfeeding is just as good for mum’s emotional health as it is for the baby’s. It is great for bonding; it boosts mum’s confidence and feelings of aptitude. Breastfeeding can be truly empowering!
And finally, as you naturally burn calories to produce milk, breastfeeding may help you lose weight (providing your diet is well balanced) without drastic exercising regimes or skipping meals.
Good for the Wallet
Whilst formula can be pricey (considering the cost of milk, teats, bottles, sterilisers etc), breast feeding costs nothing! Granted, you may need to invest in breast pads and nursing bras for comfort and convenience, but these are complementary.
Good for environment and the Taxpayer
Whilst production and distribution of formula as well as the industrial waste it creates (think what happens to all those bottles, sterilisers, teats, formula packaging, etc...) create enormous carbon footprint, there is nothing greener than breastfeeding! Not to mention that breastfeeding protects babies and their mothers against a wide range of illnesses. It saves the NHS millions of pounds every year.
According to Department of Health, It was estimated in 1995 that the NHS spends £35 million per year in England and Wales in treating gastro-enteritis in formula-fed infants and that, if only 13% more mums breastfed beyond 13 weeks, a whopping £500,000 would be saved in the treatment of the illness.
Without a doubt breastfeeding is the best start in life that we can offer to our little gems. It may not always be plain sailing as we expect it to be at the beginning, but it is sure worth pursuing! And if you are experiencing any difficulties while breastfeeding, or if you simply would like to talk to somebody about the options out there, I compiled a list of websites and institutions that provide information and support to breastfeeding mums. Here it is, hope it helps:
www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk - the NHS’s site including information on National Breastfeeding Awareness Week
www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk - information about the Manifesto, the Coalition and how to support their aims
www.breastfeed.scot.nhs.uk - includes research, statistics and sources of support and resources. Developed by the Scottish Breastfeeding Group
www.breastfeeding.co.uk- an information website dedicated to the promotion of breastfeeding, run by Jane, a mother and Breastfeeding Tutor
www.waba.org.my – World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action is a global network of individuals and organisations concerned with the protection, support and promotion of breastfeeding worldwide
www.thebabycafe.co.uk – The baby Cafe Charitable Trust is a growing nationwide network of drop-in centres for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
www.babymilkaction.or - for information about the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and legislation to control the promotion of bottle feeding.
www.lcgb.org – Location Consultants of Great Britain is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are qualified to promote and support breastfeeding in a variety of NHS and community settings, and also in private practice.
www.breastfedbabies.org – Breastfed babies is a site set up by the Health Promotion Agency in Northern Ireland containing information and support for new and expectant mothers
www.abm.me.uk – The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.u – The Breastfeeding Network
www.laleche.org.uk – La Leche League
www.multiplebirths.org.uk – The Multiple Births Foundation
www.nct.org.uk – The National Childbirth Trust
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0210
