Breastfeeding: Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities, Part 1

By Nouf Bazaz

For centuries, Native women have honored their children by nourishing their babies with breast milk. Breastfeeding is the most natural and beautiful way to feed a baby while keeping its sacred spirit close to our hearts. Throughout the years, the promotion of formulas by multinationals has prevailed throughout Indian Country. This phenomenon has engendered a mechanized, desensitized way of life that severs the long-standing tradition of Native women; it can also have deadly consequences for babies and future generations to come.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.5 million infants die around the world every year because they are not breastfed. These numbers are up to 25 times higher for children in areas where clean water is not readily accessible. The American Academy of Pediatricians "firmly adheres to the position that breastfeeding ensures the best possible health as well as the best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant." Women are urged to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and to continue to breastfeed while incorporating light food for AT LEAST an additional six months. Especially in the first 6 months, do not use formula, bottles or pacifiers as it may interfere with a baby's ability to latch onto the breast. If a mother chooses to return back to school or work, breastfeeding can still be established through a simple breast pump. A pump can be purchased from various hospital stores and organizations. Women, Infants, and Children centers (WIC) may have pumps to loan.

The United States Breast Feeding Committee has compiled the following benefits of breastfeeding for babies:

• Score higher on cognitive and IQ tests at school age, and also on tests of visual acuity.
• Have a lower incidence of sudden death syndrome. (SIDS)
• Are less likely to suffer from infectious illnesses and their symptoms. (e.g., diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory tract infections, meningitis)
• Have a lower risk of the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases. (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Suffer less often from some forms of cancer. (e.g., Hodgkin's disease, childhood leukemia)
• Have a lower risk of juvenile onset diabetes, if they have a family history of the disease and are breastfed exclusively for at least 4 months.
• Are significantly protected against asthma and eczema, if at risk for allergic disorders and exclusively breastfed for at least 4 months.
• May have a lower risk of obesity in childhood and adolescence.
• Have fewer cavities and are less likely to require braces.
  

The United States Breast Feeding Committee has also compiled the following list of how breastfeeding mothers benefit:

• Women who have breastfed are less likely to develop ovarian and premenopausal breast cancers. The more months a woman has spent breastfeeding, the greater the beneficial effect.
• Breastfeeding reduces osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding mothers enjoy a quicker recovery after childbirth, with reduced risk of postpartum bleeding.
• Mothers who breastfeed are more likely to return to their pregnancy weight than mothers who formula feed.
• Breastfeeding reduced the risk for long-term obesity.
• Exclusive breastfeeding may reduce the risk of anemia by delaying the return of the menstrual cycle for 20 to 30 weeks.
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months postpartum, in the absence of menses, is 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding mothers are reported to be more confident and less anxious than bottle-feeding mothers.
• Breastfeeding contributed to feelings of attachment between a mother and her child.
  

When initiating breastfeeding, do not be discouraged by initial difficulties and surrender your unique ability to nurture your child. A mother's milk provides the ideal balance of nutrients in an easily digestible form for an infant. Over the course of the day and as children grow, a mother's milk will adapt to meet her baby's needs. In fact, The World Health Organization has stated that colostrum, the yellowish, sticky substance produced right after birth, is the "perfect food for the newborn" and should be administered within the first hour of birth. After the first week, a baby will have about 8-12 feedings in a 24-hour period and should have 5-6 diaper changes. A baby's stool will also transition from a thick, black consistency (from birth- day 2) to greenish yellow (from day 3- day 5) and finally to a watery mustard color.

Helpful Hints for Mom
The process of establishing breastfeeding will require patience but will ultimately increase the bond between a mother and her child. Be sure to find a comfortable position, holding the baby close to the body. Make sure that both of the baby's lips are relaxed and outward as adjustment may be necessary. Nipples may feel sore in the beginning so adjust positions and try to put a little breast milk on the nipple and let it dry. Apply a bit of
lanolin to the nipples will also help. However, if the soreness starts after the initial three weeks, consult a healthcare professional as it could be a sign of thrush, a fungal infection.

Engorgement, or hardening of the breasts, may also occur after a few days of breastfeeding. Do not discontinue breastfeeding as it may aggravate the situation. The condition should pass within 1-2 days. In the meantime, a heat pack can be placed on the breast before feeding while a cold pack can be placed after feeding to reduce swelling. If the baby is having trouble latching, release a little bit of milk first to soften the area. Lumps may also be common initially but will subside. However, lumps that persist for more than one day could be a sign of a plugged duct. Be sure to breastfeed first with the side that contains the lump. A heat pack or massage may also be beneficial. Take plenty of rest and consult a doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms as it may be a sign of an infection.

While breastfeeding, it is important to honor your baby by continuing the same healthy foods and habits adopted during pregnancy. Especially during breastfeeding, it is critical that a mother drinks a lot of fluids. Do not consume alcohol or street drugs as it will greatly harm you and your baby and breastfeeding should be discontinued. Smoking tobacco will also negatively harm your baby but breastfeeding will not necessarily need to be terminated. If the mother is HIV-positive, breastfeeding should not be initiated. There are also several medicines that may require a mother to temporary cease breastfeeding. However, most over-the-counter and even prescribed medicines are safe for the baby. Always tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding and to recommend alternative medicines if one may not be safe. Many times, women are often incorrectly told to cease breastfeeding. Please refer to Reference #1 to access a guide that outlines a list of healthy/unhealthy medications and procedures while breastfeeding.

Despite the longstanding benefits of breastfeeding, many women lack the confidence to do so. Always remember that a women's body is source of strength and wisdom. For nine months it provided everything needed for a baby to grow and enter this world. Similarly, breast milk will nourish and protect babies as they begin their journey into adolescence. In nature, all animals support their young through the unique breast milk provided for each creature and humans are no different.

Part 2 of this article will highlight the history and risks associated with formula feeding as well as interventions to promote breastfeeding.

"An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for American Indian and Alaska Native
Families"
http://www.womenshealth.gov/pub/BF.AIAN.pdf

United States Breastfeeding Committee
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/