Prolonged breastfeeding also offers advantages to the environment and society as well.
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A new study confirms that exclusively breastfed infants continue to grow well in their 5th and 6th months of life, addressing a gap in knowledge on the growth of children exclusively breastfed during this time.
For those not fully swayed by the benefits several months of breastfeeding afford; the increased IQ, calming, relaxing and pain relieving benefits for your child may be an added incentive to navigate breastfeeding when returning to work.
The situation is not different in the state say doctors who call for better support for breast feeding mothers against the backdrop of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7).
Most people do not bat an eyelid if they see a mother breastfeeding in public.
The nutrition staff in these clinics receive monthly training updates in order to use the proper policies and procedures appropriately to provide basic breastfeeding education to program participants as well as anyone in the community interested in breastfeeding information.
Another interesting fact about breastfeeding is that mothers can feed another woman’s baby if the need arises.
She says the decline in breastfeeding began with the advent of infant formula in the late 1800s.
Bonding: Breastfeeding stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin in the mother’s body which promotes the development of bonding between mother and offspring.
To support breastfeeding, PAHO recommends that employers implement policies, including paid maternity leave, paid breaks for breastfeeding, a dedicated room for breastfeeding in the workplace that is private and hygienic, and flexible or reduced working hours for breastfeeding mothers.
“We know that breastfeeding helps children to survive and thrive – enabling infants to withstand infections, providing critical nutrients for the early development of their brains and bodies, and strengthening the bond between mothers and their babies”. Other factors include frequency in feeding, wanting to just comfort suck and mother’s breasts feeling soft and leaking little to no milk.
Breastfeeding is beneficial and healthy for babies. This year, almost 200 mothers have said they plan to attend, said organizer Milli Schaeffer of Medford.
“All the water the child needs is contained in the breast milk; there is no need to give the child water or any other liquid, ” he said. We know that in a fast changing world, where new pressures of juggling families and work, continuing this age-old practice can be hard for mothers.
“We welcome the Chinese government’s leadership and commitment to create a culture of breastfeeding from birth in hospitals, at home and in public and work spaces”.
Breastfeeding Connections is a comfortable place for breastfeeding and pregnant families to get professional breastfeeding support, check baby’s weight and milk intake, and connect to community resources.
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The article has been authored by Dr Shacchee Baweja, a certified worldwide Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) member and a pediatrician at BLK Superspeciality Hospital in Delhi.
