Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week
Hooray! This is my first chance as a certified breastfeeding educator to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. I got my certification while living in Cambodia earlier this year in order to support new moms and their babies. Before I was certified, I met many mothers in Cambodia who wanted to breastfeed but encountered difficulties along the way, especially with low milk supply. My certification course covered how to tackle low supply and other challenges, equipping me to come alongside women and help them achieve their breastfeeding goals. It has been a joy to help moms in Cambodia with their breastfeeding journeys, and I look forward to working with more moms as I transition back to San Diego this month!
For this post, I'd like to outline just a few of the many benefits of breastfeeding. It carries health benefits both for the baby and for the mother. Breastfed babies receive some protection from sickness through antibodies in their mothers' milk. Another benefit, which is particularly important in places without clean water, is that milk directly from mothers’ breasts is automatically fresh and safe for babies to drink. Formula made with contaminated water is a serious cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. This hazard can be avoided by choosing breastfeeding, leading to life and good health for more babies.
Breastfeeding also has long term benefits for babies' health and well being. For example, I learned in my breastfeeding educator course that research shows that babies who are breastfed have higher IQs than those who only receive formula.
Breastfeeding is also good for mothers' health, offering significant protection against diseases like breast cancer and diabetes. Breastfeeding immediately after birth prompts the uterus to contract, thereby reducing the risk of hemorrhaging (bleeding too much). The closeness mom and baby experience while breastfeeding promotes healthy bonding.
Let's celebrate the gift of breastfeeding and the benefits it has for moms and babies!
#breastfeeding #worldbreasfeedingweek2023
About the author: Margaret Lowe is certified as a breastfeeding educator, birth doula, and childbirth educator. She enjoys art and drew the illustration for this post.