Breast Feeding in The Bahamas

[Nurse Jimo]

Hey guys whats up I have just realize how important breast fedding has become so therefore instantly I have become a strong advocator for breast feeding.

And I recently asked by girl wat she think about and she says that she think a new mom should breast feed for at least six months but others disagreed and say that all newborns do not like to be breast fed. what I think is that the mother should make the innitiative to make that new born adapt to the breast milk. The benefits of breast feeding are so good that I find it to be ignorant on the behalf of those who refuse to breast feed and disagree with the practices.

In the Bahamas mothers really do like to breast feed and this has become a very important issue for midwives and nurses. as nurses what advice would you guys give concerning breast feeding and how can I convince others to breast feed.

[fergus51]

I agree the ideal is for women to breastfeed for at least six months without supplementing, and a year is great with the addition of other foods. However, this is not always possible for several reasons. Some babes do have problems breastfeeding because of malformations of the palate for example. Some moms have had breast reductions and don't have enough milk glands to feed their infants without supplementing. The list goes on. I think the best time to influence a mother's choice on whether or not to breastfeed is in the prenatal period. It is far too late to change their minds when they show up at the hospital ready to deliver. I thikn the best way to encourage breastfeeding is to provide all the information related to the benefits and expose pregnant women to other women who are breastfeeding and enjoying it. Laleche league is a great organization for this, or you can even give them videos or books to read about the subject which debunk the many myths about it. I try not to ever get to overbearing because I have seen that turn women completely off breastfeeding.

[Love-A-Nurse]

i think it is the best way, but also an individual choice. i breastfed my oldest.

[Love-A-Nurse]

forgot to say, welcome!

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

Breast feeding is best. I gave birth to three children and breast fed all three of them for almost a year. I began feeding them all baby food at four months, though. However, now that they are 18, 20 and 22 years old, I can tell a difference in their overall health and in other areas as compared to my adopted stepchildren who were totally bottlefed and given baby food in the first month. You might argue genetics, environment, etc, but I really think the environments were pretty similar, and that the differences are due to breastfeeding and vitamins.

I encourage everybody I know to nurse their babies exclusively for a minimum of three months, and to keep nursing as long as they can.

[live4today, RN]

I was breastfed, two out of three of my daughters were breastfed, and all of my grandchildren were breastfed babies........it's been a family tradition for years. :kiss

Nighty night all!

[donmurray]

Jimo, I'd have to ask them how the human species managed to survive before formula was invented. All mammals suckle their young, it's normal.

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Oh Noooo! Not again!

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Yep... the natural way to go. Afterall, isn't that what they're FOR? Why would one substitute something when we've been given the best there is? ( exceptions, of course for those moms or babies who can't for whatever reason...) Both of mine were breast fed without supplements for 6 mos., and weaned themselves, both, at 9 months. And an added bennie for those "flatchested" moms like me... a few months of being able to stick out that chest instead of hiding it !!! :D

[kittyw]

Originally posted by rebelwaclause

Oh Noooo! Not again!

Ditto

[donmurray]

Hey, there are worse places to do it than the Bahamas!

[eltrip]

How about in church?