A few thoughts on breastfeeding

Just yesterday I was sent a wonderful link from La Leche League Canada, which shows a video clip all about mothers breastfeeding. Many had difficulties but over came them. It is a very heart warming and gives us a good over view about breastfeeding in Canada. Next week is designated as world breastfeeding week.

WABA, The World Breastfeeding Association has this theme. “Talk to me! Breastfeeding – A 3D Experience”. This theme is meant to encourage communication about breastfeeding at every level in our communities, in our health facilities, at various governmental levels and to anyone we can think of who might benefit from breastfeeding.

In our western culture it may well be much more difficult to breastfeed than any many other places around the world. Mentally, emotionally and via the advertizing media, there are just too many options to feed our babies in other manners. Formula is easy to get. Parents are bombarded with so many options that it has taken away from viewing the normal infant behaviours and instincts to want to breastfeed.

Breastmilk for human babies is species specific. By that I mean that although all human breastmilk is the healthiest thing that can be given to infants and young children, the milk obtained from each mother is specific for her own baby. It has built in immunity and nutrition that is special for his/her own family needs. The act of Breastfeeding, while providing nourishment, and nurturing behaviour also stimulates brain cell growth because of the proximity of the baby to its mother. Touch, smell, talking and gazing into his mother’s eyes provides a wonderful attachment that can never be totally undone in the years to come, for your baby!

Breastfeeding is nothing more than “normal” Human behaviour. Why has it become so difficult for so many people? Is it because we are not communicating the right information about breastfeeding to new parents? Are we as professionals making it more difficult?