National breastfeeding month: Raising our awareness

Both mother and their infant gain benefit from breastfeeding.

In the ongoing quest to living a healthy life, we are constantly reminded hat being proactive is much more efficient than being reactive once a problem arises.  Ask anyone who is nearing their centennial birthday and they will most likely cite prevention strategies such as proper nutrition and physical activity as their secret to long term good health.

Although our childhood memories may be decorated with Dunkaroos, Butter Lover's Popcorn, and giant Pixy Stix, we are intent on improving the health of the nation by establishing effective prevention efforts for our children.  It has been drilled into our heads that healthy eating is critical in the prevention of many chronic diseases.

What is a superb way to jump start a child on the path to good health?

Breastfeeding.

Yep, that's right.  While we may scoff when we see mothers feeding their infants in public, thinking to ourselves "Gosh can't they do that at home I don't need to see that.", the fact is that legislation in almost every state protects the rights of mothers to breastfeed in public.  Why?  The acting US Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson touts breastfeeding as a public health priority and the best source of infant nutrition in his May-June 2009 Perspective.  He urges American citizens to support mothers in their decision to breastfeed by providing a supportive environment.

Funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.  Highlighting current research on the benefits of breastfeeding infants for the first six months of their lives, the national agency is dedicated to improving the nation's health by working together to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. 

Why is an entire month dedicated to raising awareness for this issue?

According to research reports, infants who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of their lives are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and childhood obesity.  With nearly 200 compounds that are proven to help the immune system mature, the ingredients in breast milk are the ideal food for infants.  Ruth A, Lawrence, director of the Breastfeeding and Human Lactation study center at the University of Rochester states, "If an infant is exclusively breastfed for 4 months, the probability of childhood onset diabetes is greatly reduced."

In addition, the easy to digest milk can enhance brain development, as data suggests as much as an 8% increase in the IQ of those who are breastfed.  This could mean increased academic performance, decreased dropout rates and result in higher overall income.

But, the infants don't reap all the benefits.  The hormones released during breastfeeding curb blood loss post delivery and help the uterus shrink back to size.  In the long-term, women who breastfeed lower their risk for premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer.  Furthermore, mothers who breastfeed report less stress and fewer negative moods.  Some nursing moms even cite breastfeeding as a major calorie burner.

Recognizing the abundance of good things that breastfeeding offers an infant and its mother, It seems that breast milk is somewhat of a power packed "magic potion" for newborn infants.  However, despite efforts to increase awareness among the American public, the rates of breastfeeding remain quite low.  Less than 1/3 of newborns are breastfed at 3 months and 80% of infants in the US stop receiving breast milk before their first birthday.

Even if we are not pregnant and do not plan on becoming pregnant, we must act as a nation to erase the ethical disparities that persist, as we provide a safe environment for new mothers to supply their babies with ideal nutrition.  It may seem dubious to purport that the future of the nation depends upon it, yet given current research, breastfeeding is in fact an easy way to jump start our children on the path to a long and healthy life.

Click here to visit the government's official page on breastfeeding.  Stay tuned for tips on breastfeeding and ways to support this healthy habit.