BREASTFEEDING
I have chosen to do some research on breastfeeding. I chose this particular topic because it is something that I wish that I had done. After the birth of my son, I was in so much pain from the c-section. I couldn't even stand, and the thought of walking made me cry. As a result of the pain, my son was cared for by my husband and other family members. I thought that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed. It was something that I had always wanted to do because of the benefits to both my son and myself. My son was bottle fed during our stay at the hospital. When we came home, I decided to give it a try. He wouldn't latch on, and I eventually gave up. After the birth of my daughter, I was determined to breastfeed. I kept asking the nurses for help, but no one ever came. My doctor arrived the next day, and demanded that someone help me. We tried over the next three days, but my daughter just wouldn't latch on. I suffered from severe postpartum depression, and everything just seemed to get the best of me. Not breastfeeding either of my kids has turned out to be one of my biggest regrets. I often wonder if my son would have Autism if I had breast fed him. I guess I'll never know. I'm just not sure that I had the proper support system needed for breastfeeding.
According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is absolutely crucial in the first six months of life and should be continued until age two. Most of the women in India start weaning their babies between four and six months. Malnutrition kills one out of three infants in India. sixty-six percent of these deaths occur within the first year of life. Breast milk contains nutrients that are vital during the first few months of life. Experts believe that breast milk promotes sensory and cognitive development in children. It prevents the chances of chronic diseases as well infections. In India, very few infants are breastfed within the first hour after giving birth.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI regret that you did not have the support you needed to provide breastfeeding for either of your children and pray you find healthy ways to cope with it.
Malnutrition is an enormous issue in India and needs to be worked on. One third of the children are dying for lack of food... This hurts my heart.
Annie P.
Yes, the statistics about India are very disheartening!
DeleteI am sorry that you did not have an opportunity to bond with your children in the breastfeeding way. I too did not breastfeed either of my children either but I loved my children even more despite not having that experience. The only thing we can do is encourage others to experiemce it and provide opportunities for mothers to breastfeed efforts.
ReplyDeleteQuandra,
DeleteYou are so right! Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Hello Amber,
ReplyDeleteOur experiences with breast feeding and postpartum depression are so similar. Being that I was unable to breast feed made me feel like a failure because I've always felt that it was the most intimate connection you can enjoy with your child. The benefits of breast feeding are critical to an infant and the mother. Entering into my motherhood, I was informed that breast feeding would help me to lose the 80lbs I had gained during my pregnancy. Unfortunately, my son much like your daughter, would not latch on properly. This was partly because of my lack of knowledge and proper instruction. It was also extremely painful when I attempted to do so inspite of. But maybe will have the opportunity to try it again. Great post!
Dionna,
DeleteI also felt like I had failed. It is something that I still regret. However, I'm sure taht you love your son just as much as I love my children. We made the decision that we thought was best at the time. Thanks for sharing your story!
Amber I am sorry about your regrets but at least you tried. Its hard to get past the regrets of what we did not do but you have to stop beating yourself up about it and go on. The most important thing is that you love both of your children. I applaud you for sharing your intimate and heart wrenching story with the class. That took a lot of courage. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the information about breastfeeding in India.