“Breastfeeding is the process by which a mother feeds her baby breast milk, either directly from the breast or through expressing (extracting) milk from the breast and giving it to the baby with the bottle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding a baby for the first six months of life and, if possible, up to a year. It is also important to note that it is great if the mother is able to breastfeed longer than the first year, if it works for both mother and baby. Breastfeeding provides what many call a "perfect balance" of nutrition. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMany changes occur in the early stages of pregnancy that prepare the breasts for breastfeeding. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and other hormones help promote blood flow to the breasts. The size of the maternal breast increases, as does the areola and nipple pigmentation. Colostrum is a kind of precursor to breast milk. It is a yellow, sticky fluid that contains necessary nutrients that help the baby live outside the uterus. Colostrum offers many benefits for the baby, including: Containing antibodies and white blood cells that will help the baby build a strong immune system. Colostrum also creates a strong lining for the baby's stomach/intestines to help repel germs and other bacteria that could cause illness and therefore, making it the perfect food for a newborn. Breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby not only fight viruses and bacteria, but also protect him from allergies and eczema. Proteins found in cow's milk and soy milk formulas can trigger or initiate an allergic reaction. Breast milk also causes less stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation than formula milk, because breast milk is very easy for a baby to digest. Breastfed babies also have a better antibody response to vaccines than formula-fed babies. Human milk contains a myriad of distinct bioactive molecules that help protect against infections and other dangerous diseases that contribute to the maturation of the immune system. Human milk is adapted to the needs of the newborn, in its nutritional form, in order to promote the healthy development of the child. Breast milk is easily digestible by the baby and contains all the nutrients a baby needs in the first six months of life: fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. It goes without saying that breastfeeding is indeed ideal, however, it may present some difficulties. Many women may feel that breastfeeding is natural or easy for them, but it is not uncommon for some moms to encounter challenges while breastfeeding. While there are many of these challenges, some of the most common challenges women face can include sore nipples, low milk production, blocked ducts, and sometimes even a nurses' strike. Although breastfeeding should be comfortable, some moms may have difficulty breastfeeding their newborn due to the tenderness of their nipples. However, one of the main solutions to this problem is to play with the baby's attachment and positioning. Pain and discomfort can begin due to the way the baby is positioned during feeding. Therefore, one solution could be for mothers to seek advice from lactation consultants. Also, with the advancement of technology today, moms can look for different tips and tricks onlineranging from specialists to other mothers for breastfeeding techniques. Low milk supply is also a common problem for mothers and breastfeeding. However, it is important to remember that it is possible that the mother's milk production is low, even if this is actually normal. It is normal for a mother's breasts to no longer feel full, and the baby can be between the ages of six weeks and two months. This is a time when a baby can only breastfeed for about five minutes at a time, and that's completely normal. Something to take into consideration if this is a problem is to avoid giving the baby any type of formula milk in place of breast milk, because it is possible that the baby could lose interest in the breast milk and therefore, in effect, decrease production. of breast milk. . Moms may also experience blocked ducts while breastfeeding. Blocked ducts occur when a milk duct is not drained properly because pressure builds behind the blockage, causing the surrounding tissue to become inflamed. It may feel like a tender, painful lump in the breast (not including fever or other symptoms). A couple of solutions to this problem may be to breastfeed on the side that has the blocked duct as often as possible because it will help loosen the plug and promote even distribution of the milk. It is also helpful to massage the area, moving your fingers in a circular motion and massaging towards the nipple. However, it is important to note that if you continually get clogged ducts, it is important to seek help from a lactation consultant. One final challenge mothers may face with breastfeeding is a nurses' strike. This is a time when the baby may refuse the breast altogether. While it's rare for a baby to shy away from the breast, some moms face what's called a "breastfeeding strike." This is a time when the baby does not want to breastfeed. Something that causes a breastfeeding strike could be that your baby isn't feeling well, and that could be from a cold, a stuffy nose, or even a stomach ache. Another reason could be because the baby may be upset due to a change in breastfeeding routine or because the mother has been away from the baby for a long period of time. However, a solution to this problem could be to continue breastfeeding the baby, especially when he shows signs of hunger. It also helps to give the baby more love by cuddling him. It is important to keep your baby close and remember the importance of skin-to-skin contact. Despite the challenges that come with breastfeeding, it is still considered the best choice for feeding your baby. Why? Breastfeeding is the basis of the bond between mother and baby. This intimate moment of skin-to-skin contact is necessary for a bond to form between mother and child. Newborns can't see very far. In fact, children can only see about 8 to 14 inches away. Therefore, when a mother breastfeeds her baby, the space between the breast and the mother's face is all the baby's focus. The baby is able to see his mother's face, making this a crucial moment for the relationship. Another reason why some consider breastfeeding the best option for a baby is because it may help prevent obesity. Obesity is a serious health problem faced by many children during childhood and later in adulthood. Breastfed babies are less likely to become obese later in life, because mothers are less likely to overfeed their baby. Breastfeeding also helps your baby develop eating patternshealthy. Breastfed babies tend to regulate their food intake and are therefore at a lower risk of obesity. Another good thing about breast milk is that it can adapt to your baby's needs, making this just one of the many helpful benefits of breastfeeding. The mother's body reacts in a certain way to the baby's saliva and creates the necessary antibodies to adequately protect the baby's immune system. Breastfed babies have lower risks of: asthma, leukemia, ear infections, eczema, SIDS, and even type 2 diabetes. Finally, breastfeeding saves parents a lot of money because formula can be very expensive. Raising a baby all together is very expensive, but raising a baby on formula is even more expensive. Kelly Bonyata, a certified breastfeeding specialist, estimates that babies consume an average of 25 ounces of milk per day during their first year of life. The cheapest brands of formula can cost parents as much as $0.09 per ounce, while the most expensive brands cost around $0.32 per ounce. Therefore, considering an average baby consuming about 25 ounces of milk per day, you can expect to spend between $800 and $2,000 in the first year alone. Not to mention the cost for other things like stroller, crib, car seat, clothes, diapers and other baby food. Taking these things into account, it is ultimately cheaper for moms to breastfeed. However, a big problem that many women, in particular, face when breastfeeding is the sexual stigma attached to breastfeeding in public. Society has certainly made parents feel ashamed or embarrassed about their bodies while breastfeeding, turning what should be a natural way of feeding a baby into something inappropriate and sexualized. The media has sexualized the female body for decades. Society has taken what should be something natural and turned it into the exact opposite. Breastfeeding is supposed to happen between the woman and her baby, but due to the amount of observers it has become a kind of sport. A big problem is that women (and breasts) are actually seen as “men pleasing”. Many arguments have been made that many think it is perfectly fine to post provocative billboards of women in lingerie where some or most of their breasts are exposed. However, when a woman shows part of her breast while breastfeeding her baby in public, this is no longer acceptable. Instead, this act is seen as inappropriate and shameful. This is why many women face protest from people when they breastfeed in public. In fact, it wasn't until last year, 2018, when breastfeeding in public became legal in all 50 states. Utah and Idaho had no laws protecting breastfeeding mothers while breastfeeding in public. This was a big problem because if a state did not offer any form of legal protection against those who impeded the right to breastfeed in public, then all rights enjoyed by the breastfeeding mother would immediately be limited. For example, let's say there is a family in a restaurant. This family has a baby with them and suddenly the baby starts crying. The mother notices that the baby is hungry and begins to nurse. The owners approach and ask the mother to cover herself while breastfeeding the baby. If she refused to do so, the restaurant owners could easily say she was infringing on someone and could have the mother and her family removed from the restaurant. Therefore, the owners of property rights prevail over the right.