Breast-Feeding Could Save Lives and Money, Research Finds

I think this research is great to make public. Mothers need to be educated on the benefits of breast feeding their children. The benefits are real and they are proven. It isn't a "lifestyle" choice. When a woman has a child, it's not about the mother anymore it's about the baby. As a side note, there is also research that proves it helps seal a bond between mother and child. More mothers need to do what is right and healthy for the child and not just themselves--breast feed, ladies!

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Breastfeeding has long been ignored in this country. I breastfed both my babies until 10 months. Studies show that the more educated a woman is, the more likely she is to breastfeed, yet I have actually had women go "Ewwwww!' when I talked about breastfeeding. Hello, there is a reason your breasts make milk when you have a baby, and that is to feed that child. Breastfed babies also have fewer ear infections and research has shown that they are more intelligent.

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I am 54 and still breast feed.

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I breastfed both my children until a week before their 2nd birthday. It might seem strange to you but my first child had atopic dermatitis so bad the Penn State Hershey Medical Center took photos for their students saying it was one of the worst cases that they had ever seen.

To make a long story short, my son outgrew the dermatitis, my children, now ages 13 and 15 have only been sick maybe twice in their lives, and have never had an ear infection.

Also, it is always available, always the right temperature, and nothing to mix. I heartily endorse breastfeeding.

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I breast fed all three of my children for almost two years each. The bond that it created is still going strong. My personal belief is that it helps with post partum depressoin as well. I never had it! I have to say that when I gave birth to my first child the nurses wanted to give her some kind of sugar water in the beginning. I told them that was not what I wanted. They waited a while then asked again, they tried to guilt trip me. Many of the nurses didn't have any children of their own and what they don't really get is that it is a supply and demand system. If the baby is not suckling the your body does not meet the production demands. Nurses, PLEASE do your research. YOU are possibly these new mothers first contact for asking questions about proper breast feeding! Keep in mind all so that breast feeding in public can be done tastefully. Yes there are thost few mothers that will just whip it out, but for the most of us we learn how to cover up. These days the make trendy feeding tops. And it's great for the environment too! Less bottles and formula containers. No worries about "Did I bring enough?" or "How can I warm the bottle here?" My last suggestion, invest in a good breast pump. Happy breastfeeding!
Good luck to all!
Kenna

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It's true about hospitals offering babies formula even though they know the mother plans to breastfeed. My son was born 6 weeks premature. I had always planned on breastfeeding and was very clear about my intentions even with his early birth. The day he was born he was taken away to the NICU and didn't see him for a while. When I finally got to visit him I noticed they where feeding him with a bottle. The nurse started telling me how it would be much better for my son if I would choose to breatfeed him instead of using formula. That because he was premature he would be more prone to infections and that breast milk would help to protect him. After hearing her speech, I politely pointed out the sign hanging in my son's cradle that said "I'm a breastfeed baby". That nurse replied with "Oops we didn't see that."
I never could fully breastfeed my son. I always had to supplement him with formula. So when my daughter was born I made sure she was never given a bottle. I nursed her for 11 months and never had the difficulties I had while trying to nursing my first child.

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Personally, I believe it is a mother's right to chose which option is best for her. However, I also think all mother's should receive the education necessary to make the decision. Many OB-gyn's do not even discuss this with their patients and many hospitals do not have specialized lactation consultants. I breast fed both of my children for about 5 months each. It was very hard for me b/c I had to use a nipple shield, one was 10 weeks premature, the other could not latch on, so I pumped mostly. The frustration I experienced was comforted by the "Lactation Station" at the hospital I delivered both my girls at and the knowledgable lactation specilist really helped me. I even taught several of my friends how to breast feed and pump properly. I am no "every mom should breast feed" person, but I think the more educated a mother is about the benefits of breast milk, the more likely they are to try it. What's the hurt in trying ya know?

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While I DO agree! I breast-fed my babies, however Keep The Government Control out of something that IT has NO business involved in. Most mothers want what is best for there babies/children and will go to lengths necessary to protect them both medically & physically. I do things because I have the FREEDOM of choice to do them, not because of a government mandate (which would eventually turn into a penalty fee for failing to do so). You don't need the government to take charge of something that you already have the power to do "out of your own choice". As far as "breast-feeding" at work - I used a "breast-pump" to pre-fill bottles for my babies; that is plain BS. An employer should NOT be ordered by the government to use "their own business earnings" to pay a woman to breast-feed her "OWN" child! KEEP GOVERNMENT CONTROL OUT OF OUR LIVES! We all do the things for our chidren (and even strangers who need help) but we already retain that "willingness" and those powers.

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