Babylune

Happy World Breastfeeding Week

by kate baggott on August 2nd, 2007

Happy World Breastfeeding Week to mothers and babies everywhere. While breastfeeding is recovering from aggressive formula marketing both in the developed and developing world, there is still cause for concern, action and sharing information.  

Remember, this year saw a woman kicked off an airplane for feeding her hungry baby.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Even where breastfeeding is protected by law, intolerance has led to many women being discouraged from feeding their children. 

We’ve learned that changing attitudes is not difficult. It just takes a catchy slogan.

The dangers of misinformation go deeper than attitudes. Did you know that women at risk of breast cancer can reduce that risk a little if they breastfeed? That’s the kind of thing every woman should be told from birth.

Other restricted information? Adoptive mothers can breastfeed.

Formula companies are also working more and more with synthetic hormone supplements to mimic the benefits of breastfeeding, but synthetic hormones may have harmful side-effects.

Not that breast milk is always safe. What goes in, comes out. Certain kinds of medication can make your breastmilk harmful and that means avoiding some typical tablets, like Tylenol 3 with codeine for pain relief.

When it comes to protecting your child from environmental toxins, breastmilk is still your best bet.

The more we learn, the more there is to celebrate.

Cheers, baby!

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POSTED IN: Baby Care, Breastfeeding, Mental Health