Becoming a mother is something that can be both nerve-racking and exciting at the same time. Allotting enough time to make sure your baby is taken care of while still being able to complete the everyday tasks of a mother may prove to be stressful. As a new mother, a common question is should I breast feed my infant or use formula milk. This public health controversy, which may seem less debatable after research, actually leaves some mothers in a bit of a debacle. Breast-feeding your child comes with many advantages not only for your infant but also for you, the environment, and the economy, however; finding the time to breast-feed may pose a problem.
Although breast milk has a plethora of advantages for many, a common worry for mothers is finding time that is convenient. For working mothers that are not able to get leave from work as long as needed, breast-feeding seems to be more difficult. Relying on formula milk, you do not always have to be present in order to feed your infant. Other members of the family can help feed the child. It is also found that “[f]ormula-fed babies actually need to eat somewhat less often since formula is less readily digested by the baby than human milk” (Stoppler). Feeding your infant formula milk less frequently, allows more time for you to take care of other daily tasks. Even though formula milk is much more convenient for all, the benefits of breast-feeding are much more. When it comes between timing and the life and health of your child and even yourself, breast-feeding should always be the chosen choice. Healthy routes can always find themselves into your busy schedule so do not let timing be the reason you cannot protect your child from health risks.
When taking this controversy to heart, the main concern is for your infant, so it makes sense why parents would want the core of the benefits for your infant to be extensive. Luckily enough, while many find advantages from breast milk, it is the infants who find themselves at the top of the totem pole. Breast-fed babies” …are less likely to develop common childhood ailments such as ear infections and asthma, and are less prone to obesity later in life” (Inquirer Editorial: Healthy Babies). The protection from these common conditions should be comforting for expecting mothers and new mothers because this could mean fewer trips to the local pediatrician. Most assuring of all is that breast-feeding your infant has proven to be “… an effective intervention for preventing childhood deaths” (Breastfeeding and Child Well-Being). Knowing something as simple as breast-feeding your child instead of feeding them formula milk could save their life, why would you consider anything else?
Knowing that convenience may pose as an issue for you and steer you another route, turn around moms, breast-feeding has some blessings for you as well. A few of the prominent benefits that are available for mothers are a reduction in the risks of fatal postpartum hemorrhages, premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer, and protection from anemia by conserving iron (Breastfeeding and Child Well-Being). Moms, you and good karma can become good friends because with your sacrificing of time, the favor can now be returned with a decrease of various health risks. Now rest assured, you and your baby can now find various advantages from the task of breast-feeding. You do not want the wrong decision to put your life in jeopardy and possibly take you away from your baby before he/she even grows up. Economical and environmental benefits also stem from breast-feeding your infant; helping improve the health of you both as well.
The environmental and economical advantages of breast milk are more obvious than the benefits of you and your child. Breast-feeding provides the economy and environment with benefits from the unnecessary production of formula milk. Most evident is the saving of money. Nothing has to be purchased if a mother chooses breast milk. Also, a family may find themselves saving money due to the fewer number of trips to the doctor to treat the illness that are possible from contamination of formula milk. Pollution from fuel and packaging trucks creates a problem for the environment, “… breast milk, a natural, renewable, sustainable resource, does not require fuel for preparation, packaging, shipping, or disposal” (Breastfeeding and Child Well-Being). Living in the 21st century, this is a major problem that we as Americans are trying to confront and find a solution for. If the environment is safer due to the fewer gas fumes roaming the sky, then that is one less factor mothers like you have to worry about.
Choosing what to feed your infant is a crucial decision. The decision extremely benefits the health of you and your baby. Although breast-feeding may be time consuming, mothers have been glad with their decision. From personal experience, MamaHiroko states, “As a new mom I was faced with big challenges… Even though it [breast-feeding} was hard on my body I’m so glad I stuck with it” (Patient Discussions: Breastfeeding Experience). You can fall to personal experiences from new mothers on their breast-feeding process. With MamaHiroko, it is implied that although there were challenges, it seems the challenges were overpowered by the benefits that stem from breast milk. But if personal experience is not enough, need be reminded that “[breast milk] is the food least likely to cause allergic reactions; it is inexpensive; it is readily available at any hour of the day or night; babies accept the taste readily; and the immunity factors in breast milk can help the baby fight off some infections” (Stoppler).
The busy schedule of a new mother can prove to be stressful and overwhelming. Bringing your baby into your family should be joyful and a journey, so reducing the things that can take away from the journey, should be implemented. Breast-feeding an infant has been proven time and time again that it is the recommended way to feed your child. Breast-feeding has major advantages when it comes to you and your child. Choosing to breast-feed can protect something as serious as the life of you and your baby. Timing always poses as an issue for all individuals, regardless if one is a mother or not, but do not let the selfish decision of not having enough time be your reason for putting your child’s life in jeopardy.
Works Cited:
“Breastfeeding and Child Well-Being.” Daily Champion 12 Sept. 2011: n. pag. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.
“Inquirer Editorial: Healthy Babies.” The Philadelphia Inquirer 21 May 2011, CITY-C ed.: A06. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 16 Nov 2011.
“Patient Discussion: Breastfeeding-Experience.” MedicineNet.com. N.p., May 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. http://www.medicinenet.com/breastfeeding/discussion-833.htm.
Stoppler, Melissa Conrad. “Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding.” MedicineNet.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2011 http://www.medicinenet.com/breastfeeding/article. htm.
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