Breastfeeding baby
Published Thursday October 8th, 2009
Breastfeeding.
It’s a natural and necessary interaction between mammals and their young. However, with humans, this interaction has gone in and out of vogue over the years, with a return in recent years to the promotion of breastfeeding.
In 2004, Health Canada passed a recommendation endorsing breastfeeding: “Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, as breast milk is the best food for optimal growth. Breastfeeding may continue for up to two years and beyond.”
According to Health Canada, some of the benefits of breastfeeding include a reduced incidence of infection in infants, the prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the prevention of allergies, and enhanced cognitive development.
Deanna Johnson, an enthusiastic supporter of breastfeeding, nursed her daughter, Eva, now 3, and is currently nursing her three-week-old son, Isaiah.
“I don’t have a set age in mind for weaning,” she says. “I plan to continue as long as it is something we are both enjoying and benefitting from.
“I really never even thought of not breastfeeding my children. I’d researched the benefits of nursing, including strengthened immune systems and higher IQ levels in breastfed babies. I’d planned to nurse Eva for a year and when that time came I didn’t feel that I had any reason to wean so I didn’t.”
Deanna doesn’t drink cow’s milk and so she planned to wean Eva onto rice milk, which is what they drink. Her doctor, however, recommended putting Eva on a soy formula because rice milk would not have a high enough fat content for a one-year old.
“It seemed so silly to me to stop giving her something that was so natural and good for her — and free — and start giving her formula for no reason other than I heard you were supposed to wean your baby at a year.
“As I looked into it, the benefits of nursing didn’t stop because my baby was older. In fact, I learned that after two years, my milk became as nutrientenriched as colostrum.”
Deanna says there are many benefits to breastfeeding.
“I feel we have benefited in many ways from breastfeeding. It has certainly been convenient. I don’t have to mix formula or bring bottles with me when I go out; my breasts are with me everywhere I go.
“Nursing also provided a lot of comfort for Eva if we were in unfamiliar places or meeting lots of new people, especially overnight or around nap/bed time.
“I loved that she would still crawl up in my lap and cuddle while she nursed even as she hit the busy toddler stage. It was very precious time that I am thankful we had together.
“I have many great memories that include nursing and it was very bittersweet when she weaned. We have also noticed she has a strong immune system and has rarely been sick.”
Deanna didn’t have any major problems with breastfeeding.
“Both of my babies latched on in the delivery room and the rest was history. Eva did get thrush when she was a couple of months old, but it was quickly treated and went away.”
There is help available for women who do have problems breastfeeding.
“Family members, friends, neighbours, and colleagues who have breastfed their own babies are an amazing support system,” says Tina Paige- Acker, a La Leche League leader with the Moncton-area group.
She also cites the breastfeeding clinic at your local hospital and printed resources. She says the La Leche League International has many book titles on many different topics related to breastfeeding that are backed up with scientific research from over the past 50 years, website resources, your family doctor, local lactation consultants, and local support groups such as La Leche League.
“The local LLL leaders offer 24-hour phone support, as well as monthly support and social meetings with other breastfeeding moms.”
The La Leche League is a national organization of volunteers who provide information and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed their babies. It was formed in 1956 by a group of mothers in Illinois at a time when breastfeeding was rare and now La Leche League Canada is an independent organization affiliated with the LLL in the United States.
Moncton’s LLL chapter meets on the last Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
in Room G-2 at The Moncton Hospital and is open to pregnant women as well as moms with their babies.
Tina breastfed both of her sons, Isaac, 8, and Samuel, 5.
“We certainly had our share of challenges but, thanks to the supportive discussions at the LLL meetings held in the Moncton area, we were able to overcome each and every one. I found it very helpful to learn and remember that what I was doing was a natural process that my body was made to do, and my job was simply to help everything work as it was supposed to, according to Mother Nature.”
Tina says there are many benefits to breastfeeding for both mom and baby.
“There is an abundance of scientific research and information that details the various advantages for babies: less gastro-intestinal infections, less ear infections, decreased obesity rates later on in life, natural antibodies, fewer allergies, decreased occurrence of skin infections such as eczema, higher intellectual scores, and speech development is enhanced with proper development of mouth structure and musculature, etc.
“Research shows that moms who breastfeed have decreased rates of numerous cancers later in life, specifically breast cancer, (and it) can contribute to quicker weight loss after birth, help to reduce the size of the enlarged uterus back to normal after birth, due to the hormones that are released by breastfeeding throughout the body as she nurses her baby postpartum.
“And it can help with post-partum depression, again, with the hormones that are released by a lactating mother post birth),” Tina says. “Breastfeeding is also amazingly portable because it requires no heating; breast milk is always at the right temperature, no sterilization, and no cost. The financial savings are significant, especially for infants who might require a specialized formula.”
There are a number of challenges that can arise with breastfeeding.
“The important thing to know is that in the majority of cases, there are easy solutions that a mother can use to overcome any of these hurdles,” says Tina. “Sore nipples can usually be remedied with a change in the position of the baby’s mouth on the breast, which should improve the latch.
“For engorged breasts, the baby usually needs to feed more often in order to help drain the milk, while swelling or discomfort from engorgement can be eased by hot compresses and hot showers.
“If a baby is asleep and doesn’t feed very often, there are different stimulation tactics that a mom can use to encourage her little one to stay awake for a feeding. Inverted nipples can be treated before and after birth, and there are treatments available for a low supply or an oversupply of milk.”
Tina says it is normal for a baby to nurse all the time because it is usually representative of a growth spurt.
“Babies who wake numerous times in the night to feed, which is very normal when you think of the relatively small size of a baby’s stomach — which is comparable to a golf ball at one month of age; they can only fill their bellies so much and need to feed frequently.”
Tina emphasizes that the majority of mothers who choose to breastfeed won’t encounter any significant difficulties.
“It is estimated that only 10-15 per cent of mothers will experience a breastfeeding challenge.”
Both Tina and Deanna say that being surrounded by supportive family and friends can be important in helping a mom successfully breastfeed her baby.
“Dads are critical to the support system that a new mom and the baby will need,” says Tina.
“Dads can be very helpful with the multitude of tasks that are required on a daily basis with baby — baths, walks, reading books, changing clothes, feeding solids at older ages, and spending quality time together.”
“Studies have shown that if a husband is on board with nursing, then a mother is much more likely to both give it a try and to continue breastfeeding,” says Deanna.
“So I’d say the biggest thing is they can be supportive. My husband was very supportive and for the first several weeks of Eva’s life, he would get her and bring her to me when she woke in the night and then burp her after she nursed. I didn’t feel like I was doing everything on my own and that is huge.
“Now with Isaiah, Jeff is more involved during the day as he works nights. Changing diapers, or just rocking and holding the baby are invaluable. Just because you can’t give a bottle doesn’t mean you can’t be involved.
“My family has all become great burpers. Just about anything a dad or other family member or friend can offer to do can help, as it allows a new mom to focus on her baby and to relax and build that breastfeeding relationship.”
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