A Milestone for Moms and Babies!

Posted by:

Ellen Tolan, RD, LDN, IBCLC

 

Just in time for World Breastfeeding Week, there is great news for moms and babies! Massachusetts has officially become only the second state in the US to be Bag Free! All birthing hospitals and centers in the state have voluntarily decided they will no longer hand out formula company discharge bags. This is cause for celebration!

I remember having my first baby and telling the nurses in the hospital that I didn’t want a formula discharge bag. They gave it to me anyway, calling it a “breastfeeding bag!” The bag included a little information on breastfeeding, but it also contained formula samples and was clearly a way for formula companies to advertise their products. While some people may think the bag is helpful, it actually causes more harm than good in many circumstances.

Although some babies may need formula for medical reasons, most moms can successfully breastfeed. But in the first few days after leaving the hospital, breastfeeding mothers who are having some problems may find it hard to resist offering a little formula. Giving even small amounts of formula early on can decrease a mom’s milk supply, and it’s well known that women who use formula in the early days are more likely to quit breastfeeding sooner than they had wished.

If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, be sure to meet with a doctor and/or experienced mother for breastfeeding tips and support. Although I had plenty of challenges in the first few weeks, I was determined to breastfeed, and I’m so glad I did. I had support from my family and friends, and I was able to nurse both of my sons exclusively for over a year. And, yes, the second time around I refused the “breastfeeding bag!”

Massachusetts hospitals are doing the right thing by promoting breastfeeding. For more information, visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

Comments

[Zaklina]

For all of the reasons staetd above; which are valid. PLUS for the guilt those-of-us-who-don't-have-the-time-to-read-all-of-those-reasons-but-know-they-are-there have. Meaning, yes breast is best...but really, a sane mommy is best. When you have a baby, you immediately know that you would fight a lion for that baby...but sometimes breastfeeding is just that challenging, so when you give up, or are thinking of giving up, the mommy guilt is there not only because of all of the technical reasons why breast is best, but because you gave up fighting the lion.I had a very deep, personal struggle with breastfeeding the first time around that led to depression and sadness. This time, with my daughter, I have made a choice to define my own success. Instead of focusing on failure, I am focusing on what I was able to do to succeed based on my definition of success.So anyway, it isn't that formula is the devil, or motor oil or whatever, it is more the mommy guilt over not succeeding at something that is 'best' that makes people cringe when faced with supplementing and or replacing with formula.

[Antonio]

I know what you mean about nursing in plubic after a certain age. I stopped nursing in plubic after my first daughter turned two. My Grandma was appalled but I still felt I could justify it up unitl then. After that my daughter also understood better that nursing was something we did in private. I just couldn't teach her that before then. And when she wanted milk she was relentless!@Hope Hm. Since you used the sling for babywearing more than a purchase for the purpose of covering up, I would say that the sling is not neceassarily a cover. And clothes can naturally be used to be discreet but a cover is an extra accessory you buy for the specific purpose of screening the act of breastfeeding. As for the scarf it sounds as though you seldom use them which means you're in the uncovered category too.Note to all: If you aren't sure how to answer look within yourself to the type of person you are. Are you shy or a confident don't care who sees me kinda woman? Just answer to the best of your ability. I don't plan on using this for my Master's thesis or anything. Lol.Melodie’s last blog post..