My treasured breast…pure and natural
I recently had surgery on one of my breasts (a story for another day) and the first thing I revealed to my girlfriend when she called to comfort me was my fear of this huge scar being left forever imbedded on my breast.
The healing process aside, I was worried about my sexual appeal. When the dressing was finally removed, however, I sighed in relief. The surgeon had done a great job.
True, my pair of breasts is one of the most treasured features of my body. You may be wondering how I can be so candid about it, yet— especially in Africa. ‘THAT’ is a sacred topic.
Apart from the missed monthly period, breasts give one of the earliest signs that something is happening right down in your womb.
I can now genuinely empathise with mothers-to-be. You may currently avoid the public because your nipples are itchy and get worried about the imminent changes In your breasts once the baby gets latching on the breasts in heavy suckling.
So much is the worry that some mothers have opted not to breast feed in order to keep their breasts ‘firm* and eye-catching. Our beauty vanity notwithstanding, however. It can never be emphasised enough that breast-feeding is the best gift you can give your baby.
Other contributing factors to mothers’ inability or shyness to breast-feed, as outlined by Buckley K. M. and Charles, G. E. In their article ‘Benefits and Challenges of Transitioning Preterm Infants to At-breast Feedings’, published in the International Breastfeeding Journal Include:
• Inadequate breast milk supply
• Maternal feelings of vulnerability and lack of confidence
• Babies’ immature feeding behaviour
• Lack of commitment or desire to breastfeeding before birth
. Personal choice
• Bottle feeding being considered more convenient
• Ability of father or other family members to participate in feedings
• Avoidance of embarrassment of feeding in public
• Ease of pumping and storing breast milk
• Maternal lack of confidence
. Parental need to quantify intake
• Lack of informational and emotional support
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond. It Indicates that breast milk is the first natural food for babies and it provides all the energy and nutrients that the baby needs and continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life. In addition the milk promotes sensory and cognitive development among infants while protecting the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. WHO also states that breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, helps space children, reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, Increases family and national resources, is a secure way cf feeding and Is safe for the environment.
In addition, Buckley and Charles highlight the benefits of what they refer to as at-breast feeding in comparison to expressing breast milk as follows:
1. Improved oxygenation and temperature regulation during feedings: There is higher oxygen saturation; better coordinated sucking, swallowing, breathing pattern; increased body temperature; and there are fewer episodes of apnoea (not breathing) among infants.
2. Advantages of skin-to-skin contact: These include increased breast milk volume and greater production of maternal milk antibodies to pathogens in infant’s environment.
3. Enhanced nutritional and immunological properties of breast milk: The researchers argue that superior nutritional content is lost by freezing, thawing and reheating expressed breast milk and
recommend direct breast feeding. There is a lower risk of bacterial contamination and growth due to handling.
4.Better oral development: Strengthening of the jaw muscles; increased nasal cavity space: and improved future teeth alignment.
5.More efficient emptying of the breast: Greater milk volume in same amount of time as breast pump; and increase in milk volume over time.
6. Reduced risk of breast trauma: There Is less risk of mastitis with ineffective emptying of breast; lower risk of damage to nipple from breast pump; reduced risks to mothers’ health; decreased Incidence of type 2 diabetes; reduced risk of breast cancer.
7. Psychological effects: Potential reduction in perceived stress and negative mood after feedings
8. Practical advantages: Less time in preparing expressed breast milk for feeding and cleaning of supplies; breast milk at optimal temperature without preparation; and cost savings in not renting or buying an electric breast pump.
I know most of us are working mothers, and the findings that breast feeding is more advantageous than expressed breast milk may make us anxious. The encouraging point is that your efforts to expressing breast milk will yield more than not breast feeding at all. For those of us who are unable to breast feed our babies because of various health reasons, each time you hold your baby, cuddle them against your bare skin so that you too can enjoy the beauty of bonding with them. Work with formula and other foods as advised by your paediatrician. We have brilliant, strong and vibrant people who did not breast feed.
So next time you feel funny about where your breasts are headed, remember they are the source of pure natural nutrition (candy) for the little special one growing inside you. Enjoy the new change m bra size—because of the growing beauty chunks.
Happy breast feeding!
* The author is a trained psychologist
END: PG35/9-10