WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

by Louise

August is Woman’s month and the first week of August each year is world breastfeeding week. The American Paediatric Association (APA) recommends that babies be breastfed for the first 2 years, while being breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life. That is not a recommendation for so-called "poor countries", but for all babies. Humans are the only mammals who drink the milk of other mammals. Why would it be necessary to have a whole week devoted to breastfeeding if that is the normal thing to do? In a world where women lack the necessary support to successfully breastfeed their babies, most don’t. Formula, which was originally developed to treat sick babies (thus as medicine), or in cases where the baby was born prematurely and the mother was too sick to start producing breastmilk and soon it became the norm. It became so bad that a code, namely THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF MARKETING OF BREASTMILK SUBSTITUTES, was written to protect mothers and infants from the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats. What happens when a baby does not have access to breastmilk? Premature babies who get formula, due to a lack of breastmilk, frequently develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). The condition inflames intestinal tissue, causing it to die. A hole (perforation) may form in the baby's intestine. Bacteria can leak into the abdomen (belly) or bloodstream through the hole. Babies die. Luckily, breastmilk banks were started, where mothers could donate their breastmilk, saving a lot of babies' lives. Formula is expensive. Sales representatives handed formula samples to mothers, who became dependent on formula – the more the baby suckles on the breast, the more milk is produced – if formula is given, the mother produces less milk. When the samples are finished, mothers may not be able to afford formula and start to dilute it. Diluted formula or formula prepared with dirty water may lead to malnutrition and death. A few contamination scares in formula caused the deaths of babies. BIG PHARMA has been unsuccessfully trying to replicate breastmilk for years.Apparently, they think they have found a method to replicate breastmilk in the near future! Formula companies are even expected to promote breastmilk on their products. Why would you want to breastfeed your baby? You do not need special equipment or sterilization. The temperature is always right, and the milk is always on tap. (No being arrested during lockdown because you ran out of formula in the middle of the night). It is FREE! Who does not love free stuff? It reduces the risk of allergies. Lowers cancer rates. Enhances bonding. Improves the immune system. Decreases likelihood of dental caries. Benefit from appropriate jaw, teeth and speech development as well as overall facial development. protective against painful ear infections, upper and lower respiratory ailments, colds,viruses, staph, strep and e-coli infection, allergies, intestinal disorders, type 2 diabetes, certain childhood cancers. (Ps. When my whole family had Covid , the breastfeeding baby did not have any symptoms at all.) Mothers experience reduced rates of breast cancer, uterine, cervical and ovarian cancer. Breastmilk is available during stressful times, during times of low food supply and during natural disasters. Breastfed babies are healthier, and their mothers miss less time at work. No packaging is used, which is better for the environment. In a world of so much uncertainty, would it not be more beneficial and sustainable to start supporting breastfeeding at a community level rather than collecting formula for families in need?