I chose Breastfeeding as my topic because my daughter has decided to breastfeed her baby, which is due in February. The topic is interesting to me because I never experienced breastfeeding and I wanted to know about the benefits. As I was looking for information in a different part of the world, I chose China.
In China, it is common for breastfeeding by women but it is look down upon if it is in public. In Beijing 91.07 percent of babies born are breastfed for their first six months of life. (Jia, 2010) The mothers that return to work before their child is 12 months old are require by law to receive an extra hour during the day to breastfeed their babies and some women are allowed to take breaks periodically during the day to pump their breast. Breastfeeding in China is the most important part of motherhood, because babies grow healthy weights and strong teeth. (Jia, 2010)
The information about Breastfeeding in China has taught me the importance of breastfeeding. As an educator, I feel it will help me define some of the behavior problems of children in early childhood. Although it seems in many parts of the country that infant formula is not healthy for the child where as breastfeeding is natural milk for the baby. The natural milk from the breast includes vitamins and nutrients. However, the baby feels attached to the mother because of the closeness and the skin contact from the breast has shown a great advantage over children who just receive the formula milk. The advantage is they have a natural soother that teaches them to calm down like a pacifier. Although a pacifier is soother too, it just does not help the child understand about the feeling of a human touch. As an educator, I would like to study in dept about the growth of children that are breastfed and their success in life and is it different from the results of children not breastfed. Not all four of my children were breastfed and sometimes I feel as though there is something I could have done and they would make better choices in life. However, in the United States it is not natural to breastfeed your babies because Americans feel that it is a sexual act and not allow in public. Therefore many mothers choose not to breastfeed because of the American way and because they consider it an inconvenient for working mothers.
Reference:
Jia, Mei (2010, November 8). Breastfeeding moms milked for time. China Daily. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com
I liked your post regarding breast feeding. I breastfeed my son for about 3 months after he left the hospital. I did so that he would have a strong immune system. I am not a fan of breastfeeding, I found it uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but it does have its benefits.
ReplyDeleteGwen I love this article and it's a very personal matter for me. I wanted to breastfeed my son but it was difficult for him to latch on. After trying for several weeks and renting a breast pump I gave up. Now I realize how important the benefits are of breastfeeding and encourage those who can to stick with it.
ReplyDeleteGwen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for a post regarding breastfeeding.
Our center offers a private place in our infant room for mothers who choose to breastfeed. The mother is welcome to come at feeding times, sit in this quiet, private area with their child and feed.
I found it interesting that China will allow women a hour break to breastfeed their child.
IT was a very interesting post. I really enjoyed reading about china. I think that it is great that they keep motherhood special and help mothers make it eaiser on them to breast feed. That is what we need to have in our country.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about the same subject. I am breastfeeding my son and I want to know when should I stop. I want to stop but my son is not taking it well. I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDelete