This week in class we were asked to choose a public health issue that is important to us. The topic that I feel is very important to me is breastfeeding. I chose this topic because I did not realize the importance of breast milk until my baby weaned herself off at 3 months. My daughter breastfed exclusively for 4 months. She weaned herself off at 3 months but I had enough stored and was able to pump for another month after she stopped sucking. I notice after she was off of the breast milk we were at the hospital every other week for a cold or infection. I feel like the breast milk helped her over all health and is good for the baby immune system. "Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has vitamins, protein, and everything your baby needs to grow. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria" (Staff, 2012). I researched breast feeding in other countries and found out the women in Peru have the highest rate of breastfeed babies. "Ninety-seven percent of Peruvian infants are breastfed at birth and 69%
are breastfed exclusively from birth to five months. Out of these 69%,
almost all (95%) breastfeed for an average of 20 months"(breastfeeding overview, 2015).
References
Breastfeeding Overview. (2015, September 11). Retrieved from WedMD:
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics
Staff. (2012, March 05). Breastfeeding Around the
World. Retrieved from In Culture Parent:
http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world/#slide4
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI chose to discuss breastfeeding as well in my blog. It appears that South America has some of the highest numbers when it comes to the popularity of breastfeeding. I learned that it is universal in Colombia. From your post, I learn that it is popular in Peru as well. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Brittany I also chose breast feeding it is so important. I understand the Peruvian culture to some degree. The culture is so natural and beautiful I understand why the percent of breast feeding mothers is so high.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you felt in the doctor office every month with the ear infection. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYour post does reveal some interesting facts about breastfeeding. I did not know the fact about the breastfeeding in Peru. I have known from research that breastfeeding is best for babies, but sometimes mothers just can't handle all the different steps it involves when she is working outside the home. Maybe your child would not have had so many colds but don't feel bad there are plenty of babies who still get sick even when they are breastfed.
ReplyDeleteTana
Your post does reveal some interesting facts about breastfeeding. I did not know the fact about the breastfeeding in Peru. I have known from research that breastfeeding is best for babies, but sometimes mothers just can't handle all the different steps it involves when she is working outside the home. Maybe your child would not have had so many colds but don't feel bad there are plenty of babies who still get sick even when they are breastfed.
ReplyDeleteTana