Written by Lauren James Budhu
Did you know that breast milk has always held great cultural significance? The ancient Greeks believed that the Milky Way galaxy was formed by goddess Hera’s breast milk. This “liquid gold,” as people call it, is being celebrated all month-long in August during National Breastfeeding Month.
While there has always been a strong debate about breastfeeding, it’s important to note there are many health benefits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), universal breastfeeding could save about 820,000 infant lives a year.
As a new mom of two, breastfeeding has been a huge part of my life over the last two years; I had my daughter in August 2020, and recently had my son in April this year. I have had the great fortune of being able to work from home and care for them, giving me ample flexibility to nurse and pump around the clock. However, when I began my breastfeeding journey I was terrified about what it entailed, and how I could succeed in feeding my daughter day-in and day-out through nursing and pumping. Fortunately, I powered through and was able to breastfeed until she turned 16 months. Now, I am bottle feeding my son breast milk through pumping with occasional nursing. Through support from nurses, family, work and other moms through groups like FIT4MOM and the local La Leche League, I’ve become more confident in how I’ve been able to feed my children. As the saying goes: “it takes a village.”
That’s why National Breastfeeding Month is so important to me! Here are some things you can do to observe it as well:
- Be an advocate for breastfeeding moms. Work with local groups on federal legislation to support mothers. This includes regulations on paid maternity leave, building codes to require sanitary areas for moms to breastfeed, and more public health information on the importance of breastfeeding.
- Show gratitude. Whether it’s your sister, friend or a co-worker, take some time to fist bump someone who is helping give their child a healthy start. Consider donating to the La Leche League International or the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, two big organizations that support breastfeeding mothers across the world.
Why is National Breastfeeding Month important as a whole? First of all, breastfeeding is good for both mom and baby. Most doctors and health organizations recommend breast milk as the best possible food for an infant in the first six months of their life– it contains loads of incredible nutrients, antibodies, and good bacteria, giving babies a boost to their immune and digestive systems.
Second, breast milk helps provide a lifetime of good health. Studies have shown a significant correlation with breast milk and higher intelligence, as well as a lower risk of chronic diseases; this is mainly due to antibodies that are not found in formula.
Lastly, breastfeeding is convenient and inexpensive. The good thing is mothers can nurse anytime, anywhere. It’s significantly less expensive than a year’s worth of formula.
Breastfeeding is not easy– it takes almost as much time as a full-time job to feed an infant, and can be physically draining. It takes a lot to maintain your milk supply and receive all the support you need to continue your journey. Ultimately, “fed is best”; however moms are able to feed their little ones deserves support and recognition from those around them.
Here’s to happy, healthy kids!
