Breastfeeding: A decision to make

For some reason, we have the idea that what is expensive must be of good quality, or have qualities that warrant their high cost. However, nature surprises us in this regard. There are several laboratories that have been meticulous, over recent years to create a formula as close as possible to breast milk. The science is progressing and is being perfected, but it is impossible to create a food so unique and of superb quality, such as breast milk. And the funny thing is that it's for free.

Each woman produces milk just and necessary for the child to whom it is addressed. The pregnancy prepares the body of the mother to continue feeding the newborn, as it did in the uterus. Some people say that breast milk would be the continuation of the umbilical cord, in the sense of care and protection given to babies through it. Provides a balanced diet and nutrition, is the first "vaccine" that receives the child, because breast milk antibodies protect you from contracting many diseases (respiratory infections, ear and urinary) and strengthen their defenses, and as if not enough, the effect lasts after the end of lactation.

It is known that the milk that a woman produces varies according to the child to which it is addressed. But it also varies according to age, it varies throughout the day, and in a single feed as well. The milk that comes at the beginning of the blowjob contains more water, and at the end of it has higher fat content.

Also we have a different milk when the baby is a newborn (which is its single nutrient) than when it is 6 months (where it begins to require other complementary feeding).

With all these features and versatility of breast milk, it is understandable why it has been difficult to produce artificially a formula with all those attributes.

Also, even though their benefits are known by most of the population, it is remarkable that currently only 28% of Uruguayans babies are breastfed exclusively during the first six months of life (as indicated by the last National Breastfeeding Survey).

Is that breastfeeding may be more complex than it seems. Not all women are faced with their newborn with sufficient information to have a successful breastfeeding. Some may find it simple, while to others can be a daunting task, to the point of abandoning breastfeeding.

We can understand this reality if we think that breastfeeding has 3 main pillars that sustain it: the biological aspect, the social and emotional.

From a biological standpoint, but for uncommon diseases, all women would be capable of breastfeeding. In normal physical situations, all mothers produce milk that meets the needs of our babies. It's a myth that some times we hear: "My milk is not good." By contrast, breast milk has nutrients not only indicated for the baby, but it also provides the immunization of the mother, which protects it from environmental illnesses.

It can happen that we find that the baby will go hungry. Comments immediately arise: "I have no milk," In this situation, usually the bottle is used. But the idea that a woman breast-milk runs out is another myth. Breastfeeding is governed by the law of "greater stimulation = more production." When the baby suckles on demand, he will regulate the amount and regularity with which it takes. The chest is just going to produce what the baby's sucking tells you produce.

It is important to understand the concept of breastfeeding on demand. Several years ago it was dismissed the myth that babies should breastfeed ten minutes from each breast every 3 hours. The joint WHO / UNICEF (1989) and the Uruguayan Society of Pediatrics suggests the importance of encouraging breastfeeding on demand. Remember that breast milk has higher water content at first, and higher content of fat at the end (on the same breast). When the baby takes a lawsuit, he will regulate the amount of milk you drink. If we take him away from the breast before he finish, it may not reach to take the milk with higher fat. There are babies who take 5 minutes on one breast and are satisfied, while there are others who may be half an hour in the same breast. This varies from baby to baby, and also in the same child may be changing over time.

It can also happen that some cracks or sores occur during breastfeeding. But this is due to an incorrect placement. It is important for your baby with your mouth occupied most of the halo, and not just the nipple grip.

Besides his body should be aptly addressed the body of his mother, in the classical position called "belly against belly”.

On the other hand we have the social aspect of breastfeeding. This refers to those things in the environment that promote or interfere with breastfeeding. For example, the social laws that protect breastfeeding women. Among them are:

- Law No. 16,104, which governs the licensing of thirteen weeks for maternity in public office, and Law No. 15,084 which relates to private employees.

- Decree 1/6/54 indicates two breaks of half an hour when a woman is breastfeeding during a period set by the National Children's Institute through its medical services.

Working women are faced with the reality of having to return to their jobs at two and a half months after birth the baby. This social reality makes it difficult to sustain exclusive breastfeeding, because they are usually more days of 4 hours. For women who want to continue breastfeeding, it is recommended not to spend more than 3-4 hours without expressing milk. Remember that the more stimulation, increased production, so that if a mother spends too many hours without pumping, your body will react by producing less.

Another element concerns the social aspect is that in our culture, we do not normally breastfeed openly. We have a low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, and our idiosyncrasies, many women get breast bare her modesty in public. We can also find people who find it gross to see a woman breastfeed. This is not minor, because it is assumed that breastfeeding is natural, that should be passed from generation to generation. But when girls do not see our mothers, aunts, and neighbor’s breastfeed; when adults they do not know how. It is common to see a girl playing with a toy and baby bottle, but hardly see a girl playing nurse.

Finally, as I understand is the most important aspect of breastfeeding, we find the emotional area. Breastfeeding is a decision. For our body to produce more milk, even though we have an extremely flattering environment, if the woman does not want to breastfeed your baby, breastfeeding eventually stops. Breastfeeding implies will. Whoever has the capacity to do so is woman. The couple, or family can help change the baby, comforting him and many other tasks, but who should be every hour and a half, two, three hours by offering her breast is the woman. The first month can be difficult. All are complying with the arrival of new member. Also the woman's body is adjusting to produce the amount of milk your baby needs. It is a game of demand-production that has oiled. In the course of the months it has become simpler.

In conclusion, breastfeeding has multiple benefits: it provides fair and necessary nutrients to the baby, it immunizes against disease environment and creates a special bond with the mother. There are also difficulties that may hinder this task. But when the woman feels her own body produces the food for your baby, when you see how your child takes and how it helps their growth and development. This is when all the benefits and difficulties of breastfeeding recede into the background, and the woman gets the satisfaction of having their baby in his arms, satisfied with her own milk.

Becoming a dad

The concept of "mothering" and what that means has changed over the years. Motherhood has been adjusting to cultural changes. Think of women 50 or 60 years ago, there were few mothers who work, motherhood was shared with grandmothers cousins, sisters who generally lived closer between them, there was another structure and breadwinner.

Nowadays we live motherhood differently. Moms work until almost 40 weeks pregnant, and three months after your baby is born, if not before, we take up the activities. Over the years women have become independent economically and obtaining other personal achievements beyond motherhood.

Inevitably, this evolution of motherhood affects the role of the father, in their activities and the way of living.

If we do the same exercise with fatherhood, and we think of men about 50 or 60 years ago, we met with parents waiting outside the delivery room. They had not thought the idea of witnessing the birth of his son, simply did not exist as a possibility, because the birth was "a women thing". We can imagine men in the waiting room, with cigar in hand, waiting for the big news: "is a boy", "is a girl." Also, it was not part of fatherhood changing diapers, going to childbirth classes or soothe colic.

Throughout history parents have no choice in this evolution. Today they are required active participation in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The younger parents find it almost an obligation to enter the delivery room, and if they express their fears or doubts, they are looked at with disapproval: "how could you not see your child born?". Clearly, it remains a precious opportunity that most parents want and seek. But do not forget that this is relatively new.

Similar thing happens with childbirth classes. In these we see dads interested, who want to learn and know everything that's going to happen to your partner, but also find parents who would rather be elsewhere, which are repelled by the themes of birth, and if they could choose freely, probably would choose not to participate. Here we must be careful, because something that should be pleasurable and enjoyable, it can happen to experienced as a negative requirement.

Generally, the role of father builds more slowly than the mother. Women have the opportunity to feel their baby move in their womb, in addition to physiological changes that promote the body adapts to the baby's arrival. There is a previous real link between mom and baby.

Without clutch, although the father can see and feel the movement, the process of construction of fatherhood is slower. It's that wonderful moment where we feel and we hear the cry of our son, where the baby becomes real and tangible, and the man faces the concrete reality of fatherhood.

Although it is a slower process, the pregnancy of his partner is not going unnoticed by the man. There are theories that talk about physiological changes in the father, whose symptoms are similar to those of pregnancy in women, is called “Couvade syndrome”. The various research papers on this subject indicate that the syndrome occurs 10% to 65% of "pregnant" husbands and it is estimated that 1 in 4 men go to see a doctor. The symptoms are: Mood swings, nausea, vomiting, cravings, weight gain, fatigue, low blood pressure, leg cramps, abdominal pain similar to uterine contractions.

Also, the father will be passing through their own fears and fantasies. There is a generational change, parents become grandparents, and this implies a rethinking of the relationship. Start thinking differently, questioning how were they as parents, and assessing the elements that had not previously considered. The man begins to question how I want to be like Dad? Creating his own model of father.

Some men report a feeling of hyper-responsibility towards the challenges of a new family. Responsibility to keep financially, emotional support, among other fantasies.

All these feelings the dad that transits, are usually in the background, as all attention is focused on the pregnant mother or the baby at birth. Socially, the father is asked to participate actively in the process of pregnancy, presence and accompaniment in childbirth, and finally attend mother and baby. It has a more active and participate rol, but with few rewards or environmental considerations. We can see in our traditions, when a baby is born you tend to go visit bearing a gift for the baby, many also have something for mom, few consider dad.

In conclusion, the role of father has changed throughout history, now becoming a more active and present in the process of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. However, these positive developments have forgotten the emotional part. It is my hope that readers of this article find a new look at the recent parents, we need to pamper them and hold them, they are tired too.

Milk's Up!™ Universal sign for supporting breastfeeding mothers

Jennifer Lipton O'Connor and the moms at The New Born Baby Bistro™ wanted to support breastfeeding mothers around the world. Watch as Jennifer and the moms and babies unveil their idea.