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In today's society where most mothers are finding themselves having to go back to work and with some even not taking their full maternity leave due to financial constraints placed upon them, this makes finding the time and the energy to breast feed a very difficult decision and bottle feeding the only option available to them ....more
The good old days are gone when women left their employment to raise their children when they found out they were pregnant. Sad but unfortunately true. In today's socio-economic climate, it is almost always a necessity that women return to the workplace once their maternity leave is over ....more
- by Gillian Docherty
Is Breast Really Best?
There is NO comparison..BREAST REALLY IS BEST!!
However in today's society where most mothers are finding themselves having to go back to work and with some even not taking their full maternity leave due to financial constraints placed upon them, this makes finding the time and the energy to breast feed a very difficult decision and bottle feeding the only option available to them. Many people look down on mothers who find themselves unable to breast feed and see the mother as depriving the child.
There has been a decline in the number of babies who are breastfed in recent years and this figure drops dramatically after the ages of four months. This has prompted the government to launch a campaign for more mothers to breast feed their children. The government wants to promote and encourage mothers to breast feed their babies and to continue doing so after their baby has past their first stage and is moving towards solid foods.
Advantages of Breast Feeding
Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients that a baby needs. There is no need for vitamin or other supplements to be introduced to the babies diet when breastfeeding. Breast milk also can protect him or her from infections.
After giving birth a baby usually needs fed within an hour after delivery. Breast milk at this time produces a substance called 'Colostrum' which is a yellowish transparent fluid. This substance lasts for approximately the first 3 days and is rich in high levels of protein and anti bodies which the baby needs. This fluid also contains less fat and a baby weaned on 'Colostrum' is more likely to resist the bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. It also helps to build up a healthy immune system and protects the baby against disease by providing essential anti bodies and growth factors.
After the first few days a mother's milk changes in colour and consistency. This being due to a change in the mothers hormones. This milk is of a thinner consistency and is usually blue-white in colour.
A mothers milk constantly changes as both the baby and the mother develops. This ensures that the mother's milk is designed to meet the digestive and nutritional needs of the developing baby. A baby's digestive system is far from developed when a baby is born and this even more so in premature babies. Breast milk can aid and assist the breakdown of this important nutrition ensuring the baby's needs are met.
Breast feeding may also prevent diarrhoea, ear and urinary tract infections. It may also reduce blood pressure.
Breast fed babies also have a lower rate of contracting meningitis or severe blood infections.
Breastfeeding your baby can raise his or her IQ levels. This being due to the essential fatty acids and minerals found in the breast milk.
A baby who is breast fed can almost never becomes allergic to their mothers milk.
Breast fed milk ensures that the baby is exposed to fewer allergens and helps protect against allergies which are found in formula milk.
Although it is difficult to monitor how much breast milk a baby is receiving, it is shown that it is almost impossible to over feed a breast fed baby.
A mother who breast feeds usually develops a closeness to her child. This has massive psychological benefits for both mother and child.
Breast milk is FREE, CONVENIENT and NATURAL! It is always there and you don't need to carry around cumbersome equipment and bottles.
Disadvantages of Breast Feeding
There are very few disadvantages in breastfeeding.
The main disadvantage is that the mother has to be there to provide milk at all times. The may make the mother tired and anxious. She may find that she has to plan her timetable very meticulously and if going out with the baby ensure that there are suitable mother and baby rooms available. ( For all the advantages in modern society some people still find a mother breast feeding her baby in public an act of 'public indecency').
Mothers may find that their milk dries up and may develop swollen or cracked nipples. When a mother finds their milk has dried up they may find that this can cause some psychological problems as the mother may feel she unable to 'provide for her baby'.
They may also find that their milk may leak and will have to wear a nursing bra and breast pads whilst breastfeeding.
She also will have to watch her diet for the time she is breastfeeding as anything she east will be passed straight through her to the baby through her milk.
- by Carlie Edwards
The good old days are gone when women left their employment to raise their children when they found out they were pregnant. Sad but unfortunately true. In today's socio-economic climate, it is almost always a necessity that women return to the workplace once their maternity leave is over. Of course at this point one of the problems new moms face is how to continue to breast-feed their newborn baby. Many Moms will find that breast-feeding then becomes a luxury that many nursing mothers are not able to manage due to the problems associated with both working and being able to breastfeed their new babies.
If you have to go back to work after having your baby it doesn't automatically mean you have to give up breast-feeding. Normally with a little contemplation and ingenuity, it can work out quite nicely.
You may find that many of today's firms and/or employers are becoming increasingly aware of the problems new mothers face when it comes to breast-feeding, and to be fair to their employees, the firm/employer will furnish the facilities needed for the working mother to express her milk via a pump which she can then fed to her baby. Unfortunately these types of employers are still way too few and far between, and the reality is that majority of nursing mothers will give in to defeat and start their baby on formula milk. Be diligent and pursue!
If you are lucky enough to be able to express your milk while you're at work, you will want to give prudent thought to how you are going to do it successfully.
Here are a few suggestions you may want to consider when shopping for supplies and/or equipment needed for expressing your milk at your place of work.
* A breast pump is clearly a necessity. This is your most significant piece of equipment. Don't be afraid to spend some money on this! Make certain you buy an electric pump, (this is highly recommended) and you are confident of how it works.
* You will require a cooler bag or tote to place the milk in after it's been expressed.
* Have lots of baby bottles (important... don't forget the lids). You will of course need to be sure they have been sterilized to ensure your baby doesn't get an upset tummy.
* It's also an excellent idea to have a hand breast pump just in case of any emergencies that may arise.
* Use a marker to put the date on your feeding bottles.
* Try to wear the appropriate clothing for breastfeeding. This will make the task so much easier for you.
* Have a supply of disposable pads so you don't have to worry about leakage.
You may be a high profile businesswoman, or you may be working in a factory, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that your clothing is appropriate for both work and pumping your breast milk. The last thing you want is to go into a meeting after expressing your milk with stains on your clothes be sure you are wearing a top that is buttoned down the front; it's also a great idea to keep a napkin or tissue accessible in case you have some spillages.
Another important piece of clothing... a good maternity bra. Maternity bras open very conveniently in the front and are perfect for breast-feeding. Don't forget those breast pads in case of leakage.
All your efforts to breast-feed your baby while working will pay off in the long run. Breast milk is the most wonderful thing you can give your newborn!
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