You often hear about the health benefits of breastfeeding. From people I know that didn't breastfeed, the health benefits weren't even something they thought about. They didn't seem to think that the benefits were overwhelming enough to consider breastfeeding. I have to wonder, why aren't those health benefits marketed louder and with more force?
Recently I happened upon information about the benefit of breastmilk during chemotherapy. That got my mind working. We are about to adopt a child with an illness that compromises his immune system. Although he's an older child (3-6 years of age), would breastmilk benefit him?
I sent out several emails to "experts" in the field. They all replied back to me and told me that breastmilk would definetely benefit our child. One of the experts even provided details of a case where a child with the same illness that my child will have thrived on breastmilk and it kept him from dying. The doctor who prescribed the child breastmilk chose not to do a case study on the child because he was concerned what it would mean to the supply at milk banks.
Learning this information has really changed how I view breastfeeding. Don't get me wrong, I've always known breastfeeding was great. I've been breastfeeding for 3.5 years and am tandem nursing. That said, nursing a 3 year old has made me uncomfortable at times. I've had to stand up for myself to different family members, which is something I don't enjoy.
I assumed that when people found out that I would be pumping for our adopted child they'd be a little weirded out by it. Recently I was talking to my mom about it and my dad walked into the room. He's not anti-breastfeeding or anything but talking about it makes him uncomfortable. I was absolutely surprised when he told me that I SHOULD provide breastmilk to our adopted child and that he was amazed at what an amazing substance it is!
I've developed a whole new confidence when it comes to nursing. I'm not longer the least bit reluctant to nurse in front of anyone. I'm more confident in my decision to allow my children to decide when to wean. I guess you could say I've fallen in love all over again with breastfeeding.
Why aren't these miraculous benefits made known to the general public? If mothers knew that breastmilk kept children alive who have life threatening illnesses they would feel more compelled to breastfeed. I've gotten the impression that a vast majority of mothers don't think the health benefits of breastmilk are all that substantial. People religiously take multivitamins and all sorts of other health boosting substances yet the greatest health booster out there is breastmilk!
If these claims that I've read in regards to immunocompromised children are true why isn't this marketed? Why isn't research being done on this?
Recently I happened upon information about the benefit of breastmilk during chemotherapy. That got my mind working. We are about to adopt a child with an illness that compromises his immune system. Although he's an older child (3-6 years of age), would breastmilk benefit him?
I sent out several emails to "experts" in the field. They all replied back to me and told me that breastmilk would definetely benefit our child. One of the experts even provided details of a case where a child with the same illness that my child will have thrived on breastmilk and it kept him from dying. The doctor who prescribed the child breastmilk chose not to do a case study on the child because he was concerned what it would mean to the supply at milk banks.
Learning this information has really changed how I view breastfeeding. Don't get me wrong, I've always known breastfeeding was great. I've been breastfeeding for 3.5 years and am tandem nursing. That said, nursing a 3 year old has made me uncomfortable at times. I've had to stand up for myself to different family members, which is something I don't enjoy.
I assumed that when people found out that I would be pumping for our adopted child they'd be a little weirded out by it. Recently I was talking to my mom about it and my dad walked into the room. He's not anti-breastfeeding or anything but talking about it makes him uncomfortable. I was absolutely surprised when he told me that I SHOULD provide breastmilk to our adopted child and that he was amazed at what an amazing substance it is!
I've developed a whole new confidence when it comes to nursing. I'm not longer the least bit reluctant to nurse in front of anyone. I'm more confident in my decision to allow my children to decide when to wean. I guess you could say I've fallen in love all over again with breastfeeding.
Why aren't these miraculous benefits made known to the general public? If mothers knew that breastmilk kept children alive who have life threatening illnesses they would feel more compelled to breastfeed. I've gotten the impression that a vast majority of mothers don't think the health benefits of breastmilk are all that substantial. People religiously take multivitamins and all sorts of other health boosting substances yet the greatest health booster out there is breastmilk!
If these claims that I've read in regards to immunocompromised children are true why isn't this marketed? Why isn't research being done on this?
(Heck, around here, adoptive parents are likely to be breastfeeding, it's just a bit less likely with adopted older children.)
I'd often make breastfeeding out to be a chore when I was around them just so they didn't get defensive. Knowing what I know now, I don't give a cr@p if it offends them. But on the other hand, it's not really their fault. This information just isn't out there. I've always considered myself pretty knowledgable about breastfeeding and I didn't have a clue that older children and adults consumed breastmilk in certain cirumstances. If it'll help a sick kid just think what it will do for a healthy kid!
) I'm all ears.
