tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902151753789737800.post7178236214352974683..comments2023-05-03T05:26:39.174-07:00Comments on Retracing My Steps: Speaking as a Mammal...Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09791404763746523735noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902151753789737800.post-71946529654338020392009-11-03T11:31:04.074-08:002009-11-03T11:31:04.074-08:00Wonderful blog entry! I am honestly shocked at th...Wonderful blog entry! I am honestly shocked at the statistic that 3 out of 4 women leave the hospital breastfeeding. That is a good step, but honestly, why wouldn't almost everyone at least try it?! With all of the amazing benefits of breastfeeding that we know of, both for baby and mom, the fact that it's free, and many more reasons, I just don't see why all mom's wouldn't at least give it a go at the beginning for as long as they "can". Breastmilk is made from mom's body for her specific child. Formula is produced the same way for millions of different children. You know what is going into your body, you will never have a recall for your breastmilk. Having many friends and family members with children, I have heard many excuses of why they didn't start breastfeeding or continue for very long (only weeks for some of them). Just to name a couple - it hurt too bad or "it's just not me". If it hurts too bad then that means that the baby isn't latching on correctly and you just need a little assistance. Hospitals have free lactation consultants to help out or ask friends that have already breastfed. Also, it might not feel wonderful the first couple of weeks, but it gets better and as a mother, we need to do what's best for our children. As far as "it's just not me", that I can not understand at all. When you decide to become a mother, you need to realize that it's not all about you anymore. I don't understand how someone can say "it's just not me" in reference to giving a child the best nourishment for his/her body and for their long term health. I definitely think there are certain instances where it does not work out. Some people don't produce enough milk for some reason, but that is a very very small number of women. Sometimes doctors tell woman to supplement with formula because their babies aren't gaining enough weight, but I think doctors now-a-days use that excuse a little too leniently. Babies, along with everyone else in our society, seem to have been gaining weight so that the "average" is a lot more than before. It is interesting to see that breastfed babies usually aren't overweight. Thanks for the great information on breastfeeding and hopefully it will positively effect other mom's out there!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902151753789737800.post-7985814252038738382009-11-02T11:21:54.628-08:002009-11-02T11:21:54.628-08:00I certainly agree with you that breastfeeding is t...I certainly agree with you that breastfeeding is the best way to feed babies, if the circumstances allow it. However, citing the statisic that "only" 3 out of 4 women in the US initiate breastfeeding is a little misleading...73% of women (or yes, 3 out of 4, but of course it sounds less impressive that way) are breastfeeding at the time they leave the hospital, according to the 2006 NIS. That is a rather strong majority. Why would you not want to celebrate that?<br /><br />I think that ANY amount of breastfeeding, no matter the duration or if it is supplemented by breastmilk, should be applauded. Yes, we are mammals, but as you have pointed out in your post, there are a lot of societal factors standing in the way of exclusive breastfeeding for a year or more. Not that this means we should stop trying to make life easier for new parents, b/c we certainly should - and this will in turn increase breastfeeding rates, I hope - but I think we need to look at the reality also and make sure that we acknowledge that a vast majority of women are at least attempting to breastfeed. That's something to be happy about, IMO!The Fearless Formula Feederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08431179746019087708noreply@blogger.com