Breastfeeding by mothers of royal families before the 20th century was taboo. It was considered disgraceful and a kind of activity fit only for commoners, hence, surrogate mothers or wet nurses were employed to breastfeed royal babies until they were weaned.
During the early 20th century, breastfeeding, especially in Canada and the USA, was regarded as bourgeois and practiced only by the uncultured class. After World War II, the use of infant formula gained acceptance. On instances when infant formula was not available, alternatives such as animal milk from cow and goat, flour, or cereal mixed with broth or water were used. During the 1960s, a revival of interest on the merits of breastfeeding came about.
Breastfeeding is the most natural and inexpensive method of feeding a baby. A mother’s milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs in perfect proportions and at the right temperature.
Colostrum, the thick and yellowish fluid found in mother’s milk contains immunoglobulin antibodies that help the baby’s young digestive tract to develop and prevent gas and colic. It is high in protein and low in sugar.
Colostrum also contains antibodies that fight bacteria and viruses, lowers the risks of asthma and allergies like atopic dermatitis and eczema, diabetes, and leukemia.
A 2007 study on “Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries” reveals babies who have been solely breastfed continuously for six months have less middle ear infections, respiratory tract ailments, diarrhea, gut infections, intestinal tissue damage, and sudden death infant syndrome.
Breastfed babies develop healthy weight and prevent childhood obesity. Babies also develop positive emotional attachment to their mothers due to the physical intimacy and eye contact as they are cooed fondly. Plus, breastfed babies’ bowels are not as smelly as those on infant formula.
Likewise, breastfeeding has several benefits for nursing mothers. During breastfeeding, the body produces oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that promotes relaxation in mothers, as well as hastens the contraction of the uterus.
Further, it has been found that nursing mothers have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes as she ages. It also helps a mother lose some of the weight she gained while pregnant. She has a lower risk of developing postpartum depression because breastfeeding encourages mother and child bonding and maternal caregiving.
While breastfeeding has its many advantages, mothers can also experience some inconveniences. She may not be able to attend to some pre-childbirth activities, but some technologies like breast pumps help in that area.
Breastfeeding can also be painful and uncomfortable when the child goes on an aggressive sucking or biting.
Various organizations, including those at the grassroots levels, recognizing the importance of breastfeeding have come up with multi-phased programs to increase awareness of it.
The World Health Organization is spearheading such initiative. There’s the National Breastfeeding Week in the United Kingdom, the Department of Health and Ageing, Breastfeeding Strategy in Australia, the National Women’s Health Information Center in the USA, and concurrent international breastfeeding events during the World Breastfeeding Week.
In the Philippines, Hakab Na! (Big Latch-on) is a breastfeeding event that celebrates the World Breastfeeding Week and the National Breastfeeding Month.
Hosted by Breastfeeding Pinays, Hakab Na!, now in its seventh year, is a government-backed breastfeeding event in 77 different areas in the country plus one location overseas.
Last year, Hakab Na! assembled 1,692 nursing mothers (some had twins sucking on both breasts) and 5,000 attendees. This year’s event, held at the SMX Convention in Pasay City, went beyond attendance expectation.
Additional photos by Diana B. Noche
