Tuesday, 22 July 2008
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Breastmilk Does a Body Good!
Where are all the breastfeeding moms?
Despite the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, recent data (2004) shows that only 31% of infants were exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months old and 11% at 6 months.
Though there are many benefits to breastfeeding, recent studies show that one benefit is a reduced risk of both childhood and adult obesity. The longer an infant is breastfed, the lower the chances of the child (and then adult) of being overweight. For every month the baby is breastfed, up to 9 months of age, the risk for being overweight goes down by 4%. This means a 30% reduced risk for a child breastfed for 9 months versus a child never breastfed. Continuing to breastfeed may be one thing to help with epidemic obesity issues we now face (along with many other needed interventions).Did you breastfeed and if so, how long? Do most women find that continuing to breastfeed until at least 9-months is a realistic thing to be able to do with other life issues? Why do you think the numbers of exclusively breastfeeding babies is so low?
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Comments (4)
Wow, those numbers are even lower than the ones I've been quoting (from an earlier survey). How depressing.
D is going on 6 months and we have no plans of stopping breastfeeding till he's at least a year.
AH! Type a big thing and my browser screwed up. Let's try again.
I think the main reason those numbers are so low is because the lack of breastfeeding support. Everyone is concerned with 'not offending the formula feeders' that breastfeeding isn't talked about at all! Sadly, because I was so uninformed I didn't breastfeed my older boys. No one talked with me about it besides asking "Are you going to breast or bottle feed?" I just naively believed that formula was just as good. I wish someone had just told me all the great things about it and how easy it would be after we got adjusted!
When I got pregnant with my 3rd son, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I had joined an attachment parenting message board around that time and got lots of information and support. I wouldn't have survived the 3 weeks of latch and supply issues if it wasn't for the support I got from my husband, family and that message board. Now my son is 9 months old and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I'm not sure if we are going to do child led weaning but I can see us going until he's 2.
I'm a big breastfeeding advocate now. I try to inform people without being preachy. It's hard getting away from formula feeding being the norm but the more people who breastfeed, especially in public the more the message will get out that mom's milk is best.
@TornadoChaser - This is a very interesting comment...please repost when the blog goes to the main momaroo site. I think people need to be aware that lack of support is a key issue. Thanks!
My daughter and I are still going strong at 12 months. We love our time together nursing.