Breastfeeding Week!

There is another controversy brewing with the latest promotion of breastfeeding. The New York State Department of Health has a Breastfeeding Campaign program that provides training and guidelines to help get more mothers to breastfeed and to get them to breastfeed longer. This is not a political issue, it is the position that the health department should take in promoting health and wellness. New York's Mayor Bloomberg supports this campaign as it is a positive move in creating healthier babies as well as great benefits to the mothers.

Needless to say, there are those in the media who are creating a debate on whether or not this is another effort to control people and tell them what to do. Is it an effort to control mothers? Take down the formula companies? Make new mothers feel guilty for having difficulties with breast feeding? NO!!!!!! It is not, it is about health and wellness for mother and child - where is the controversy in that?

As you know there are many benefits to breastfeeding and the campaign is a way to bring awareness to new mothers and those who may find the information good enough to give it a try. Just imagine there was a time when breastfeeding was the way to go and introducing formulas was not necessarily embraced immediately. O course, formulas offer a lot of conveniences to those who would prefer not to breastfeed for many reasons that includes - working, difficulty with the baby latching on, etc. However, if you knew all of the benefits to breastfeeding, perhaps more mothers would give it a try.

In support of Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2012)I would like to share the following videos. Take a gander and do share :-)






Breastfeeding in Public - A Mother's Choice

Breastfeeding in Public - A Mother's Choice

What's all the fuss about Beyonce breastfeeding her baby in public? Is it really that big of a deal in this day and age where we claim to be a progressive society?

As a mother who breastfed all of my children, I know when it's feeding time, my breast begins to prepare for it and my baby wakes up simultaneously. It is the most incredible experience ever! It is also a moment where I find a spiritual connection of how amazingly equipped I am - I can give birth and nurture my off spring. So for me it did not matter when baby/nature calls, I respond.

What's most startling, is the fuss made about mothers breastfeeding in public. There are special brassieres made for mothers to breastfeed without exposing their full breast and in some cases where mothers have completely covered the baby with a blanket - still met opposition.

It is common knowledge that breast milk provides the baby with the essential nutrients to help with not only growth but also equips the body with the antibodies necessary to protect the baby from illnesses.

Furthermore, studies have indicated that breastfed babies have a decreased chance for allergies and dental caries. Breastfed babies are overall - healthier babies.

So whether you think that Beyonce fed her baby in public as a way to stand with the other mothers or she just knew it was time to feed her baby and that was all that matters - it's her choice to breastfeed Blue Ivy. Breastfeeding is not about being trendy, fashionable or fancy.

I just hope that our society wakes up and really get's it together. The news headlines with expressions of outrage for breast feeding in public is simply ridiculous. In my opinion, the benefits far outweighs the ignorant reactions.

For more information on breastfeeding and the initiative to promote and increase the number of breastfed children:
Center for Disease Control on Breastfeeding
World Health Organization on Breastfeeding

Get a Clue - Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has long had it's supporters starting with the Healthcare Community. Sadly, the issue of breastfeeding has made the headlines in a political arena. While the First Lady of the United States encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies,  Mrs. Sarah Palin found a way to make a mockery of the efforts to promote healthy options. Breastfeeding is not an issue to debate for political points but instead it should be viewed for the health benefits to both mother and child.

As a mother, I was given the choice to either breastfeed or use formula to feed my babies. After learning about the benefits for my baby's health, it was a on. I wanted nothing but the best for my children and what an incredible way to start their lives setting them up with building a strong immune system and much more. Yeah me!!!!

For refresher's sake and for those who may not know, let's see what clues the Health Officials, Medical Professionals and Healthcare Community has to say about the benefits of breastfeeding:

From the mother

Healthy Nutrition: Breastfeeding from Healthy Children on Vimeo.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


The National Women's Health Information Center


The American Academy of Pediatrics


 World Health Organization (WHO)