Breastfeeding
refers to the feeding of an infant with milk that comes directly from mother's breast.Thanks to the babies sucking reflex, they are able to suck the breast
and swallow the milk. Breastfeeding is recommended for a minimum of the baby’s
first 6 months of life. While this is going on, the baby does not need solid
foods or infant formula. Although the mother’s milk is the healthiest milk the
baby can get , mothers should refrain from breastfeeding when they are taking
certain medications or are exposed to transmittable diseases which may be
passed on to the baby. Below are some of the multiple benefits associated with
breastfeeding for both mother and child.
Health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers include:
1. Lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
2. Lower risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures
3. Helps mother to maintain a balanced weight ( breastfeeding naturally uses approximately 500 calories a day)
Health benefits of breastfed babies include a lower risk of:
1. Developing eczema, asthma and other allergies
2. Getting ear and chest infections, enteritis and tummy bugs
3. Being fussy about new foods
4. Being constipated
5. Urinary infections
6. Being obese and developing conditions such diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, when they are older
7. Sudden infant death syndrome
8. Dental caries, jaw and teeth deformity (malocclusion)
Source: www.breastfeeding.com/
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In Mexico, women's decisions regarding infant feeding are greatly
influenced by customs and culture. An example would be doctors facing
difficulties due to mother’s refusal to eat typical everyday foods because they
consider these harmful, although these have an unquestionable nutritional
value. According to the Mexican custom, the mother should be cautious around
foods which are considered “cold” such as fruits and vegetables. The
consumption of hot foods is encouraged and is perceived as being healthy. These
beliefs can be traced from the Nahuatl perspective of the hot/cold theory. The
theory states that coolness comes from water while heat comes from the sun or
the energy generated into plants and animals. Some of the foods considered to
be cold are juicy fruits, poultry, corn, and beans. Red meats, onions, and
aromatic beverages are considered hot. Because of this, it is crucial for
health professionals to promote the benefits and importance of a healthy and
balanced diet. Although I am Mexican, I have been raised in the United States
all of my life and this surprised me. I was not aware these customs existed in
Mexico. It is also important for doctors and nurses to take into consideration
the mother’s culture and be aware of their beliefs.
References
Food Taboos among Nursing Mothers of Mexico, J HEALTH POPUL NUTR 2003 Jun;21(2):142-149 © 2003 ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research
Retrieved from: www.jhpn.net/index.php/jhpn/article/download/199/194
I am a strong proponent for breastfeeding. I breastfed both of my daughters until they deemed themselves ready to quit, which was both before they were a year old. I love the benefits to the baby, but also the private, nurturing time it gives to the infant and the mother. It is such a beautiful, natural thing. There was a recent picture posted of some women in the armed forces who were breast-feeding in their uniforms, while on break from work. And the controversy on this amazing picture astounded me. Just think about what they did before there was formula to supplement with!
ReplyDeleteI share your enthusiasm for breastfeeding also. What you say is very true, besides the nutriotional value the bonding that takes place during this time is amazing. I have not heard nothing about the picture you are talking about but I am sure is beautiful. A mother will always be a mother regardless of their profession.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that breastfeeding is a very important component that every Mother should do for their baby. The health benefits are astounding and worth the time and effort it takes on the mothers part. It was very interesting the customs of Mexican mothers. It sounds like some things I have heard here from mothers as family warning such as not eating seafood while your pregnant or breastfeeding due to mercury residue in these foods. I feel that breastfeeding should continue to be advocated for and encouraged in hospitals because it is the best thing in the long run for the child and even the Mother.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. I know there are so many benefits to breastfeeding. The information you published about mexican cultures was really interesting. I would hope that if a physician does not know about a patient's diet in relation to their culture that they would tell them so they could give them the best guidance possible. I am sure that there are other mothers out there still following old traditions that not everyone is aware of. Thanks Dina!
ReplyDeleteHi Dina. Thanks for sharing your post about the breastfeeding practices in Mexico. They were similiar to the United State's practices. Doctors do encourage women to eat healthier while breastfeeding and gives warning to mother's that use certain medications. Doctors in the U.S. also tell women while they are pregnant to avoid cold foods such as cold sandwich meat because it can cause listeria, a bacteria that causes food poisoning. The only downfall that breastfeeding had for me was the flexibility. I was a "working mom" so I didn't have the advantage of statying home with my daughter feeding her when she wanted milk. I had no other choice but to began giving her formula however, to all the moms that are breastfeeding, I do support it heavily.
ReplyDelete