I feel as though breastfeeding is extremely important. Breastfeeding provides nutritions that man made products really can not provide for the infant in that critical time of life when their tiny bodies are still going through development. I like the idea of breastfeeding because it stays with the traditional use of care for infants from our ancestors. When I ask woman who are expecting if they plan on breastfeeding, and they tell me no because of the need of putting the child in daycare, breaks my heart. It's like our society has lost the importance of providing the best care for our infants. When my bestfriend declared that no matter what she would be breastfeeding my nephew, it made me smile. I feel as though she made the best decision for her and my Godson when she chose to breastfeed.
PubMed.gov reports that breastfeeding in Korea was very popular in the 1950s but once the Korean food industry made baby formula popular in late 1960 and 1970's formula became the automatic source of food for infants. As information about breastfeeding and how beneficial it is for the mother and infant, more Koreans are converting back to breastfeeding or doing a combination of both.
I believe I will continue to promote and respect the idea of breastfeeding. Since it is beneficial to both mother and infant to breastfeed, I will forever be an advocate.
I think a similar trend happened here in the 60's and 70's as well. I was born in the fifties and my mother breastfed all of her children. When formula was introduced as one more "modern" convenience for the American housewife, breastfeeding became old-fashioned and some even thought it was inferior to the aggressively marketed synthetic formula. When the "earthy-crunchy" movement began, people began to acknowledge the benefits of breast milk, and now it is commonplace once again. It's strange how we let ourselves be manipulated by media and industry.
ReplyDeleteI hope all new moms have a chance to experience the benefits of breastfeeding and the special bond that is created between mommy and baby. I wish the media would join in and promote this healthy choice a little more.
ReplyDeleteI also chose to write about breastfeeding. One of the reasons I am for breastfeeding is because it is free. In this struggling economy, breast milk is one of the healthiest and most economical form of nutrition that mothers can offer their babies. It also helps build up antibodies that formula just can't compete with.
ReplyDeleteI love your post. I am a mother of 3 ages 16,13 and a 4 year old son .I breastfed my son till he was 2 years old and he still ask me for some :). The experience of him growing so healthy and SMART is just unbelievable, and not to mention that special bonding that is just like magic...
ReplyDeleteHere is a website with some interesting facts about breastfeeding
http://www.breastfeedingfacts.com/