Breastfeeding

I chose to learn more about breastfeeding because I did not breast feed my son and am just not familiar with the experience.  Breastfeeding enhances the bond between mother and child but takes patience to acquire the skill.  Less than 1/3 of infants in the United States are breastfed and fewer infants are breast fed through the first year of life which is recommended by health care professionals.  There is a significant breakdown of about 50%, in the number of black mothers of any class who choose to breast feed than Caucasian middle class mothers (Galson 2009).  In almost every state, legislation recognizes women’s rights to breastfeed in public. Breast feeding boost the immune system and provides natural antibodies that fight against disease and certain types of cancer, such as breast and ovarian. Breast feeding also reduces cost of buying formulas. It can be difficult to keep up with breastfeeding and providing adequate supply of milk from the mother which is why most women do not continue to breastfeed through the 12 month duration.

In Norway breastfeeding is very common and is known as the role model for breastfeeding.  It is extremely rare for women not to breastfeed at all.  Women are encouraged and taught to breast feed in the hospitals.  They even have an informative help line for mothers needing assistance in breastfeeding. Women in this country usually take at least a year off for maternity leave and fathers are given plenty of time for breaks as well.  It is easier for women to keep up with the task of breast feeding because of the length of time granted for maternity leave.  Women in this country breastfeed in the public and it is not looked down upon or shamed.  In Norway, almost 100% of mother’s breastfeed before discharge from the hospital and more than half continue to breastfeed six months later.  It seems as if Norway as a country has an understanding of the importance of breastfeeding and childcare/development during the early years.

·         Surgeon General’s Perspectives: The Status of Breastfeeding Today (PDF, 1.22 MB)
By Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, Acting US Surgeon General

·         Mothers and Children Benefit from Breastfeeding (PDF, 40 KB)
By Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, Acting US Surgeon General

·         Norway Leads Industrial Nations Back to Breast-Feeding - New York TIMES Oct 21, 2003