Breastfeeding: Whose choice is it anyway?

August 4th, 2010

It seems as if supermodel Giselle has stirred up a hornet’s nest by making the statement that mandatory breastfeeding should be a worldwide law. Of course, many moms were angered by this statement and some even felt inadequate. In fact, breastfeeding has been in the news quite a lot lately with new laws that support breastfeeding moms to short-sighted managers who want to prohibit breastfeeding in their establishments. But, whose choice is it anyway?

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby

There is absolutely no doubt as to the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. The child gets the benefits of mom’s antibodies and other immunities, fewer stomach problems, fewer ear infections, and fewer lower respiratory infections. Actually, the list continues. The first milk (colostrum) contains large amounts of secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) that coats the baby’s mucous membranes, stomach and intestines to protect against invading germs. Secretory IgA is also available in the later breast milk in lower quantities.

Breastfeeding benefits extend long beyond the end of breastfeeding. Studies have shown that exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months can set your child up with immunities that last not only throughout childhood, but also into later life. These studies show a lower risk of diabetes, high cholesterol and inflammatory bowel disease.

Breastfeeding can also help protect the baby from allergies. Babies who are fed formula based on cow’s milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than babies who are breastfed. Scientists think this is due to the lack of secretory IgA protecting the baby’s intestinal tract.

Breastfeeding is also linked to higher cognitive functions. Tests have shown that breastfed children tend to have higher IQs, do better on vocabulary tests than their formula-fed counterparts. Breastfeeding also promotes emotional bonding which also helps cognitive development.

Breastfeeding also has been shown to help reduce childhood obesity. Breastfed babies tend to only eat until they are satisfied and stop, setting up a healthy pattern of eating. It also has been linked to reducing a child’s risk of becoming overweight as a teen or adult.

Benefits of breastfeeding for mom

For mom, breastfeeding has it’s benefits as well. Breastfeeding can reduce stress levels and lower the risk of postpartum depression. Studies have shown that women who don’t breastfeed or stopped breastfeeding early showed a higher risk of postpartum depression. Oxytocin released during breastfeeding often has a calming effect on mom. Oxytocin also helps the uterus contract and reduce postpartum bleeding.

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers. The studies have shown that the longer a mom breastfeeds, the lower her risk for ovarian and breast cancer.

Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they’re protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect.

It’s not entirely clear how breastfeeding helps, but it may have to do with the structural changes in breast tissue caused by breastfeeding and the fact that lactation suppresses the amount of estrogen your body produces. Researchers think the effect on ovarian cancer may be related to estrogen suppression as well.

Whose choice is it?

Okay, now that I’ve extolled the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, the question is still: Whose choice is it anyway? Well, for all the benefits, I reject Giselle’s call that it be made mandatory and legally required. That idea is ludicrous at best. Some mothers don’t feel comfortable breastfeeding, some can’t breastfeed. And some others simply don’t want to or don’t have the time. Some mothers want to, but don’t have the support of family and friends.

It is ultimately mom’s choice. It has been shown breastfeeding has definite benefits, but if mom doesn’t feel comfortable or doesn’t want to, but is forced to breastfeed, the effects may be worse than not breastfeeding at all.

If you are a friend to a nursing mom, offer your support and encouragement, but not judgment. If you are a restaurant or store manager, don’t condemn a mom who’s nursing discreetly (as most moms do).

Mom, it’s your choice – and your choice alone. Whether or not you decide to breastfeed, do not allow anyone to judge you or make you feel any less a good mother.

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