Comments on: Public health benefits of breastfeeding

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:19:15 +0000

I completely understand the benefits, both health and monetary, of breastfeeding. But there has been very little talk about the fact that there have been recent studies showing that the health benefits of breastmilk come not from the milk itself, but from the physical contact the mother has with her infant. If you just pump the milk into a bottle, the milk essentially loses all of its health benefits because then the baby isn't get that close bonding time with Mom. And there are indeed individually-tailored nutrients in breast milk, but they are not invincible: the nutrients deteriorate the longer they are out of the mother's body. Pumped breastmilk is not equivalent to "fresh" breastmilk.

Personally I feel that there is an increasing trend that looks at mothers who bottle feed as somehow deficient or unaware of how to best care for their child. There ARE costs associated with breastfeeding, they are just not immediately apparent: mothers experience increased fatigue, stress, and anxiety because they always have to be "on call" for their baby; parents cannot share the responsibilities of feeding equally since it all depends on the mother; blocked mammary glands (a common problem) result in astonishing pain for the mother; and mothers always have to plan ahead in terms of pumping if they are going to be away from their baby for even just a couple days.

As a Children's employee, I'm glad that the hospital so strongly supports working mothers with its lactation program, because I think that without such support breastfeeding can be unfair to working moms. My mother bottle fed me, and I turned out perfectly healthy, well-adjusted, intelligent, and well-rounded. No matter what women choose to do, I firmly believe that they have the best interests of their babies at heart. And no one should be judged negatively for that.

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:19:00 +0000

Personally I feel that there is an increasing trend that looks at mothers who bottle feed as somehow deficient or unaware of how to best care for their child. There ARE costs associated with breastfeeding, they are just not immediately apparent: mothers experience increased fatigue, stress, and anxiety because they always have to be “on call” for their baby; parents cannot share the responsibilities of feeding equally since it all depends on the mother; blocked mammary glands (a common problem) result in astonishing pain for the mother; and mothers always have to plan ahead in terms of pumping if they are going to be away from their baby for even just a couple days.

As a Children’s employee, I’m glad that the hospital so strongly supports working mothers with its lactation program, because I think that without such support breastfeeding can be unfair to working moms. My mother bottle fed me, and I turned out perfectly healthy, well-adjusted, intelligent, and well-rounded. No matter what women choose to do, I firmly believe that they have the best interests of their babies at heart. And no one should be judged negatively for that.

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:26:23 +0000

I really hope this article helps mothers choose to breast feed!!It really is the best for your baby,costs nothing & as a bonus it helps you get rid of that post pregnancy weight!!!!

By: JT

JT — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:00:53 +0000

I breastfed all 3 of my children – 12, 9, and still feeding my 8 month old and it was the best thing I could have done. The hospital where my recent child was born is so for breastfeeding that they do not even give out the formula bags that the formula companies promote! They have a pump and lactation consultant available for everyone, and my daughter was in the NICU for 2 weeks while they encouraged me to pump from the beginning and then when it was closer to her release, I was able to nurse her in her room!

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:26:00 +0000

I really hope this article helps mothers choose to breast feed!!It really is the best for your baby,costs nothing & as a bonus it helps you get rid of that post pregnancy weight!!!!

By: JT

JT — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:00:00 +0000

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:46:56 +0000

When I chose to breastfeed my 1st child 12 1/2 years ago, the response I got from most people was “what are you crazy?” I couldn't believe it! My response was “no, this is the best choice for my child.” When I found out I was pregnant I knew right away I would nurse, I think something in me told me this is the thing to do! I did so for 1 1/2 years, to proceed to have 3 more children all of whom I breastfed for 1 1/2 years with the exception of my 10 month old who I am still nursing and she was also a preemie! I was glad to see that breastfeeding, although it has come along way since my 12 year old, is still not considered the standard thing to do. When I had my 3rd child, the hospital that I was in tried so hard to convince me that breastfeeding really shouldn't be an option for many reasons and that I should bottle feed and get some rest. I was disgusted and filed a complaint! What if I was a first time mother and listened to these “professionals?” I would have chose to NOT nurse any of my children, and I believe that would have been a big mistake! I'm sure I not the only woman in a maternity ward who received that speech, its sad! Ironically, my 3rd child weighed in at 5lbs. 9 oz. and had some bilirubin issues and they told me he wouldn't be leaving the hospital until his counts went down and unless I gave him formula they couldn't monitor his intake and he would have to stay in the hospital! I continued to nurse and asked them to bring me a pump then, I was told they had none in the hospital and I would have to rent one(for my hospital stay)! Which I didn't! Not only did he come home when I did, but he didn't lose an ounce of his birth weight! I just think if we as mothers have the option to nurse, why wouldn't we, it is the only nurishment designed for just “our” babies and I do believe it is the healthiest choice! Most maternity wards have come along way but not far enough! I am glad this is a true finding, so HOORAY for all of us moms who chose to nurse and for those new mommys' who will! By the way, my daughter(our preemie) was in Tufts Floating Hospital in Boston and not only did they encourage my breastfeeding option, they “supported” my decision as well! Thanks Children's Hospital and Tufts Floating for everything you do!

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:46:00 +0000

When I chose to breastfeed my 1st child 12 1/2 years ago, the response I got from most people was “what are you crazy?” I couldn’t believe it! My response was “no, this is the best choice for my child.” When I found out I was pregnant I knew right away I would nurse, I think something in me told me this is the thing to do! I did so for 1 1/2 years, to proceed to have 3 more children all of whom I breastfed for 1 1/2 years with the exception of my 10 month old who I am still nursing and she was also a preemie! I was glad to see that breastfeeding, although it has come along way since my 12 year old, is still not considered the standard thing to do. When I had my 3rd child, the hospital that I was in tried so hard to convince me that breastfeeding really shouldn’t be an option for many reasons and that I should bottle feed and get some rest. I was disgusted and filed a complaint! What if I was a first time mother and listened to these “professionals?” I would have chose to NOT nurse any of my children, and I believe that would have been a big mistake! I’m sure I not the only woman in a maternity ward who received that speech, its sad! Ironically, my 3rd child weighed in at 5lbs. 9 oz. and had some bilirubin issues and they told me he wouldn’t be leaving the hospital until his counts went down and unless I gave him formula they couldn’t monitor his intake and he would have to stay in the hospital! I continued to nurse and asked them to bring me a pump then, I was told they had none in the hospital and I would have to rent one(for my hospital stay)! Which I didn’t! Not only did he come home when I did, but he didn’t lose an ounce of his birth weight! I just think if we as mothers have the option to nurse, why wouldn’t we, it is the only nurishment designed for just “our” babies and I do believe it is the healthiest choice! Most maternity wards have come along way but not far enough! I am glad this is a true finding, so HOORAY for all of us moms who chose to nurse and for those new mommys’ who will! By the way, my daughter(our preemie) was in Tufts Floating Hospital in Boston and not only did they encourage my breastfeeding option, they “supported” my decision as well! Thanks Children’s Hospital and Tufts Floating for everything you do!