More than just milk: biological norms -- The lowdown on breasts and breastmilk -- Breastfeeding myth busting -- The health implications of infant feeding -- Getting breastfeeding established and barriers to success -- Exclusive breastmilk feeding (expressing) -- Formula feeding -- Combination or mixed feeding -- The partner's role? -- The 'babymoon' - family, friends and parental expectations -- Breastfeeding and mental health --Crying and soothing -- Breastfeeding, SIDS and sleep -- Where should the breastfed baby sleep? -- Society and breastfeeding -- The impact of formula marketing - breastfeeding, guilt and judgement.
Summary:
All babies need feeding -- and yet in modern life something so simple has become an issue fraught with difficulty for new parents. Society, politics and culture have worked together to create a situation where parents are presented with a 'choice' -- breast or bottle? Such a 'choice' implies that the product (the milk) and the method of delivery (breast or bottle) are equal, but is this true? In many countries bottle-feeding has become so common that it is never questioned, and indeed is often seen as the answer to parents' problems. Not sleeping at night? Not enough milk? Mum needs medication? Reach for the formula. Every day women are told by their friends, family and even their doctors that bottle-feeding is the answer. Yet research shows that most mothers want to breastfeed, and that babies who are not breastfed are at increased risk of illness. Why Breastfeeding Matters tackles some of these issues head-on, in a frank discussion intended to help parents and others navigate the world of infant feeding. It is neither preachy nor a 'how-to' manual; it outlines some of the reasons why breastfeeding matters, to mothers and their babies, and explains how this can affect the way in which mothers use bottles and formula if they need to. Drawing on research, and the author's experience as a lactation consultant, it is essential reading for anyone wondering about how to feed their new baby.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.