Breastfeeding is meaningful to me because I truly believe that it allows the mother to not only bond with her child but the mother provides the greatest source of nourishment needed for the baby naturally. I breastfed both of my daughters, Franqui and Dejah. I fed Dejah a little longer (9 months) than Franqui because Franqui did not cooperate and she would bite! Those of you whom breastfeed know what that feels like---Ouch!! I enjoyed breastfeeding because it empowered me in such a way that I knew I was nurturing them and protecting their growing bodies. I knew that I was giving them all that they needed based on the results of their physical check-ups and how Big they were growing! I love to see a healthy baby. Yes, breastfed babies are huge babies but they are happy, rarely sick, and healthy. Everything they need is provided by the mother at no cost. It is also a great time to interact with your child and get your figure back!
In another part of the world I discovered that South Africa has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world due to distributed formula at no cost by public health bodies and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, (Kenny, S. et. al, 2014). Therefore, mix-feeding (feeding formula, breast milk, water or other liquids to infants under six months) and food is given to infants under six months as well during the most important time of their development.
In Cameroon Africa breastfeeding to discouraged according to the following: 1) pressure from the village elders because it is traditional practice to supplement. 2) belief that breast milk is an incomplete food. 3) taboo of prohibiting sexual contact during breastfeeding. (Kakute, PN et. al, July-Aug. 2005).
Professionally, I will continue to encourage mothers to breastfeed their infants for as long as their bodies will produce milk and within their comfort zone. Children are my business and I will remain an advocate their health and developmental success in this world.
Please take a look at these articles:
Cultural barriers to exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in a rural area of Cameroon, Africa. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15973270
Rebranding Breastmilk: Social Marketing in South Africa. https://onthinktanks.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/soth-africa-community
Shelita I like your post,
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting the fact you brought about the taboos in this particular place in the earth (Cameroon Africa) when you mentioned “the taboo of prohibiting sexual contact during breastfeeding”.
Older generation passes on their traditions; cultural factors influence mothers to add a supplement to breast milk. For them, infants should have benefits to consuming the food from their farm that has more nutrients than the mother’s milk. In other hands, they think babies are thirsty and require water to promote healthy development. The Last, the fact about sexual contact during this period of postnatal nutrition, they have been affected by the potential transmission of HIV through breast milk. Your pot brings an example of sociocultural factors that affect feeding practices, as bias and prejudices.
Thank you, for your post,
Maria Carrillo