Breast milk is known as the ideal food for infants. It is nutritionally,
immunologically, developmentally, psychologically, economically, and
environmentally beneficial (Rinda, 2005). Moms nowadays are working moms,
and going back to work soon after having a baby is the common thing to do.
Studies reveal that almost fifty percent of women return to work by the time
their baby is three months old (Rinda, 2005). Studies have also proven that
mothers are aware of the benefits of breast milk and that a positive
correlation exists between the length of breastfeeding and their babies’ health
(Rinda, 2005). Many reasons have been given as to why women stop
breastfeeding their babies. Not having enough milk, and nipple pain, cracks, or
sores are other common reasons women stop breastfeeding. Some women
simple stated that they didn’t like breastfeeding or felt uncomfortable doing it
(Gillespie, d’Arcy, Schwartz, Bobo, & Foxman, 2006). Another common reason
to quit breastfeeding is the fact that these women are returning to work and
feel that they have to stop breastfeeding (Rinda, 2005).
The option of expressing woman’s milk allows a woman to go back to
work and continue to breastfeed. Studies reveal that mothers who express
their milk in some way are less likely to stop breastfeeding before their infant
reaches six months of age (Win, Binns, Zhao, Scott, & Oddy, 2006).
I believe that women today are very conscious that breastfeeding is
beneficial. Some women, however, remain unknowledgeable about basic
breastfeeding facts and options to breastfeed if they have to go back to
work. How can we get this information to mothers and encourage them to
breastfeed even if they go back to work?
References
Billespie, B., d’Arcy, H., Schwartz, K., Bobo, J., & Foxman, B. (2006). Recall of
age of weaning and other breastfeeding variables. International
breastfeeding journal, 1. Retrieved January 15, 2007, from
http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/4
Rinda, J. (2005). Knowledge, attitude and practice of employed mothers
about breastfeeding. Nursing journal of India, 4. Retrieved January 15,
2007, from
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200504/ai_nl3638785
Win, N., Binns, C., Zhao, Y., Scott, J., & Oddy, W. (2006). Breastfeeding
duration in mothers who express breast milk: a cohort study.
International breastfeeding journal, 1. Retrieved January 15, 2007,
from http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/28
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