Breastfeeding is a excellent feeding method. I knew when I first became pregnant, breastfeeding would be my choice for my little one. It would provide good nutrition for your baby. It also lowers the chances of digestive problems. For me it actually helped me shed my baby weight and additional weight a little faster. Even though, breastfeeding has a lot of pros, founding my routine with breastfeeding was a struggle. At the beginning, I was doing great with my milk supply and I would pump accordingly for storage. But after a month or so I was not producing as much as I was before. Due to the sleepless night, my daily routine was off and my diet had change. I started to become overwhelmed and stressed. So I started back eating healthier snacks and meals, I increased my water intake and slept while my child slept (which was the best tip ☺️) . This actually helped a lot with keeping my supply up. Even though I experienced a few bad days here and there, but nothing to major. I was determined to not give up because it not only helped with saving money but because it was healthier for me and my child. I am grateful I had this opportunity.
Breastfeeding in Malawi
Malawi is located in Africa and it is known for their high spreading numbers of HIV/AIDS. 72% of the child in this country are breastfed. This a very high percentage, being that HIV/AIDS can be transferred while nursing from a women who is affected with the disease. However, research shows that there is about a 4% chance of the virus being transmitted to the infant. This percentage is actually lower then children who drink formula milk. The formula milk, the water and the use of bottles are all considered unsafe preparation (L.,2014).
Reference
L. (2014, April 24). 10 Countries With The Highest Breastfeeding Rates. Retrieved September 16, 2017, from http://www.therichest.com/rich-list/rich-countries/10-countries-with-the-highest-breastfeeding-rates/
Thank you for providing such good care to all those children and families you support. I felt strongly about breastfeeding, an although I used the UK which had similarities as the U.S., your discussion in Malawi is a valuable view to why breastfeeding is so important in that area of Africa.
ReplyDeleteHi, I always thought if some women have HIV and breastfeed an infant, the baby would catch HIV too. After reading this new information, I didn’t realize there was a chance that some babies would not catch the virus. I still believe in breastfeeding but I’m a little skeptical if women should breastfeed if they are the carrier of the HIV virus.
ReplyDeleteHi Kiarece,
ReplyDeleteI battled with breastfeeding as well but i was determined not to give up. I had a hard time feeding my son from my breast so i decided to pump instead and it worked out for me. Breastfeeding is an amazing experience not only is it very beneficial to your child's health but yours as well. Im so glad you decided to stay the course!
I wrote about breastfeeding as well and I forgot to mention how much money you will save. Once my daughter was on formula and I received WIC, I used to sign the paper saying that the final cost of the formula was like $118. When are giving out that much money for formula that alones tell you that you should really try to breastfed your baby. You mention Africa and the transmitting of HIV/AIDs as a mom I would be very scared to breastfed knowing this information, but also at the same time I rather buy milk at that point than to make my baby sick with a virus.
ReplyDelete