Celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness: The Natural Bond that Supports Both Mother & Baby
August and September mark the celebration of breastfeeding awareness and education worldwide, offering an opportunity to explore global insights regarding this incredible instinctual mammalian connection between mothers and their infants. This nurturing process extends beyond mere sustenance, fostering closeness, security, and numerous emotional and physical health benefits for both mother and child.
Breastmilk, often hailed as “liquid gold,” provides the ideal blend of nutrients essential for a baby’s growth and development. It not only nourishes but also seeds the infant’s gut microbiome with rich antibodies, bolstering their immune system throughout life. The act of successful nursing involves more than meets the eye.
Within the baby, a sophisticated coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing, supports optimal cranial and facial nerve and connective tissue function and health. The intraoral shape of a baby’s mouth is usually not considered, yet greatly influences the positions and postures I recommend.
Most people don’t notice, but there is an art to experiencing ease and comfort with breastfeeding. Getting the support that matches a mother’s and newborn’s breastfeeding needs, helps them master the skills, making it look easy to someone on the outside who has not witnessed the mindful journey that got them to the place of immersing themselves in their bond vs in the stress of getting it right and staying on track.
Mothers reap substantial rewards from breastfeeding, with oxytocin playing a central role in many of these benefits. This powerful hormone, often dubbed the “bliss hormone” and the “love hormone”, is released during skin-to-skin contact and nursing. It ignites and strengthens maternal instincts, boosting confidence and self-reflection while facilitating a profound emotional connection between mother and child. Oxytocin enhances mothering satisfaction and promotes feelings of contentment and relaxation for both participants. Beyond its emotional impact, this hormone serves important physiological functions, aiding in uterine contraction, placenta expulsion, and faster postpartum recovery.
Breastfeeding offers additional advantages for mothers. It alleviates concerns about infant nutrition, as mother’s milk adapts to meet the growing baby’s needs. The readily available nature of breastmilk simplifies feeding, offering a convenient, sanitary, and cost-free solution. Moreover, studies suggest that lactation may reduce the risk of certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in mothers, further underscoring its long-term health benefits.
“Despite being a natural process, breastfeeding doesn’t always come effortlessly to every dyad. Common hurdles include latching difficulties, insufficient milk supply, and nipple discomfort and pain. It’s crucial for mothers to seek immediate support when facing these challenges because the earlier they are addressed, the sooner problematic issues can be remedied.
Consulting a lactation specialist for assessment, treatment and effective strategies is vital to ensure minimizing stress related to feeding and optimizing their breastfeeding journey success. It’s best to research support groups ahead of time because while they are meant to be helpful, they can sometimes lead to confusion and self-doubt due to conflicting advice. Reputable online programs, virtual coaching, and resources can provide valuable guidance and encouragement.”
Most people don’t notice, but there is an art to experiencing ease and comfort with breastfeeding. Getting the support that matches a mother’s and newborn’s breastfeeding needs, helps them master the skills, making it look easy to someone on the outside who has not witnessed the mindful journey that got them to the place of immersing themselves in their bond vs in the stress of getting it right and staying on track.
Mothers reap substantial rewards from breastfeeding, with oxytocin playing a central role in many of these benefits. This powerful hormone, often dubbed the “bliss hormone” and the “love hormone”, is released during skin-to-skin contact and nursing. It ignites and strengthens maternal instincts, boosting confidence and self-reflection while facilitating a profound emotional connection between mother and child. Oxytocin enhances mothering satisfaction and promotes feelings of contentment and relaxation for both participants. Beyond its emotional impact, this hormone serves important physiological functions, aiding in uterine contraction, placenta expulsion, and faster postpartum recovery.
Breastfeeding offers additional advantages for mothers. It alleviates concerns about infant nutrition, as mother’s milk adapts to meet the growing baby’s needs. The readily available nature of breastmilk simplifies feeding, offering a convenient, sanitary, and cost-free solution. Moreover, studies suggest that lactation may reduce the risk of certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in mothers, further underscoring its long-term health benefits.
Public breastfeeding, while sometimes a source of anxiety for new mothers, is a natural and normal act. Global advocacy efforts continue to champion the right to nurse in public, supporting the ongoing normalization of . for all mothers. These initiatives, alongside broader breastfeeding awareness campaigns, aim to ensure universal access to lactation support and resources
By fostering a culture of acceptance and providing effective support networks worldwide, we can empower more mothers to overcome initial hesitations and enable both mothers and infants to reap the abundant rewards of breastfeeding. This collective effort not only normalizes the practice but also promotes a healthier, more supportive society for families.
“Together, let’s acknowledge that each mother’s breastfeeding experience is distinctive and deserves recognition and support. Whether you’re a new parent, an experienced one, or an advocate for nursing mothers, let’s unite to celebrate the bond that nurtures, as well as the beneficial ripple effect of creating and fostering healthy and supportive communities.”