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Women's Index > Breasts > Breast Feeding
The decision whether to
breast-feed or not can be a difficult one to make. For whatever
reasons, a woman shouldn’t feel pressured in making her choice.
There are plenty of valid reasons for choosing not to breast-feed.
Women in some countries can be persecuted for breast-feeding in
public. The right to feed her baby in public shouldn’t be denied,
but even today, nursing mothers are expected to be as discreet as
possible.
Some women might feel pressured to breast-feed their babies
because it is said to create an emotional bond between mother and
child. This reasoning is slightly flawed as it denies fathers the
same right to bond with their children.
However, the benefits
of breast-feeding have been widely demonstrated. It
is now believed that mothers who have breast-fed
their children show a lower risk of contracting
breast cancer, and this is has now been proven from
an international survey of which the results have
been published by a leading New Zealand University*.
As well as benefits
for the mother, the baby also gains. The
‘first’ milk a mother gives is called
colostrum, a fluid rich in antibodies that boost the
baby’s immune system against disease. It
contains protein and carbohydrates but no fat - this
is in the milk that comes later. Nursing also helps a
woman’s body return to normal after pregnancy by
stimulating the uterus to contract.
The preparation for
breast-feeding starts with the beginning of the
pregnancy. Breasts may swell and feel tender, which
is often a better indication of early pregnancy than
any swelling around the middle! They can gain as much
as a pound during lactation. After a few months, the
hormone prolactin will start to work. This hormone
stimulates the breast to make milk and so around this
time, women might noticed their breasts
‘leaking’ - this fluid is colostrum. During
pregnancy, women do not need to do a lot of breast
preparation, but it helps to wash the breasts with
soap that won’t dry the nipples’ natural
lubrication. A good maternity bra should also be
worn. Maternity bras are designed specifically for
this task, so they take into account the changes in
size and are more comfortable to wear than a normal
bra.
 Babies can be nursed
straight after birth, and are usually weaned at any age from six
months to as long as the mother wants to feed. Problems with breast-feeding
include too much or not enough milk, sore nipples,
and blocked milk ducts. These are all fairy easily
corrected. Most problems with breast-feeding can be
fixed by gentle massaging of the breasts or a quick
trip to the doctor.
Our Recommendation:
We advocate breast feeding from birth until your baby is at least six months of
age and we see no reason why children should not nurse/suckle the breast until
the age of two or three.
*Otago
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