pregnancy
BY ROXANNE KIPPS-JACKSON RN BSN MA, MIDWIFE
Dept of Health ,Acting Coordinator, Community Health
Breastfeeding
is Natural
T
his year our theme was “Breastfeeding is Nor-
mal”. As a Public Health Nurse and Midwife it
is my remit to include the benefits of breast-
feeding on our Public Health System.
Our current state of economics and our inability
to decrease the number of people suffering from
chronic diseases warrants all of us to play a major
role. The very beginning of life is the ideal time to
get started. We are currently fighting a war against
cardiovascular disease, asthma, obesity, diabetes and
hypertension. Every year approximately 58 million of
the world’s population will die; 35 million or more
12
than half from chronic disease. Why would you not
breast feed to help reduce these startling statistics?
Breastfeeding gives every mother and newborn
the ability to get off to the best possible start in
terms of health benefits and reducing these chronic
diseases.
D Breast-fed children are more resistant to disease
and infection in early life than formula fed
children. The cells, hormones, and antibodies
in breast milk protect babies from illness. This
protection is unique; formula cannot match
the chemical makeup of human breast milk.
In fact, among formula-fed babies, ear infec-
tions and diarrhea are more common. The
colostrum produced in the very early days of
breastfeeding is often referred to as “liquid
gold”. This milk is very rich in nutrients and
antibodies to protect your baby. Although your
baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at
each feeding, it matches the amount his or her
tiny stomach can hold.
World Breastfeeding month was celebrated
globally in August. Here in Bermuda
we remain committed to educate and
support all breastfeeding women and their
families on this journey.