The end of an era

Max and I have reached the end of an era - he has officially weaned.

I have to admit feeling slightly conflicted about this milestone. On the one hand, I am thrilled that Max has developed other comfort mechanisms and is no longer exclusively a "boob man" when he gets really upset. This has also meant that John and Max have developed an amazing bedtime routine and that John is now the bedtime expert. It has given me some real freedom - I spent my first overnight away from Max this past weekend.

On the other hand, I really, really enjoyed this time with Max. Even though we were down to once a day these last few months, it was nice to have a cuddle in bed in the morning. On the plus side, we're still cuddling in the morning and trying to get a few more precious minutes of sleep.

I also wanted to thank everyone who has been so supportive of Max breastfeeding. I feel amazing to be part of the 17% of Canadian women who were exclusively breastfeeding at six months and giving Max the best start that I could have given him on the nutrition front. I definitely could not have done it without all of your support.

I don't like to post big, long articles on the blog but this opinion piece really resonated with me when I read it in October and it is no longer available online so I am including it here:

Benefits of breastfeeding; Controversy and lack of support keep rates low among Canadians

by Sheryl Barber and Erin Dykstra

After class, our peers collect their belongings and head out. Perhaps to the cafeteria, or maybe down the street to the coffee shop or the shopping centre. It's time to eat and to socialize until the next class convenes.

But we cannot join them. Instead, we head for the nearest private area, where we pull electric pumps out of our bags, undo our shirts, and express our breast milk. For us, it's time to feed our babies.

We are nursing students. We are also nursing mothers. And we belong to the legion of women who, by necessity or by choice, have returned to work or school while our children are young. In this, we need support.

On campus, we have been provided an empty boardroom in which to pump. While working in the hospital, we may have to retire to the parking lot to pump in our cars, or choose the staff lunchroom instead, with other staff (men and women) sharing the same space. However, we know the importance of breastfeeding, for our children and for society, so we persevere.

Breastfeeding is an act of health promotion. For babies, it decreases the rates of childhood illnesses, including ear infections and colds. It is also associated with lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, fewer allergies and higher IQ measurements.

Breast milk is easily digested and custom-made for each stage of development, allowing babies to grow at their ideal rate and reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes in later life. For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk for developing breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers, as well as osteoporosis.

It also speeds recovery and weight loss after childbirth. Once established, breastfeeding is easy and cheap. It's always ready, always safe, and doesn't require any special equipment: The ultimate comfort food and the ultimate convenience food all in one.

These facts, and too many others to list here, are why Health Canada, UNICEF and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk only) for the first six months of a baby's life. They also recommend that babies keep breastfeeding, along with solid foods, to two years and beyond. That's right: Two years. And beyond.

Breastfeeding families cost taxpayers less in health care and provide a greater economic contribution in terms of productivity, because better family health leads to fewer sick days and less use of the health care system. In this age of environmental awareness, with our hybrid vehicles and reusable shopping bags, breastfeeding fits right in. It decreases environmental waste, with no tins or plastics to go into landfills, and minimal energy is used to manufacture breast milk: No electric power or fossil fuels, just 500 calories a day for mom!

But if breastfeeding is so good for everyone (except perhaps the manufacturers of artificial milks), why isn't that reflected in our country's breastfeeding rates? Fully 87 per cent of Canadian mothers begin breastfeeding, but only 39 per cent are still exclusively breastfeeding at four months, and 17 per cent at six months.

Unfortunately, according to Health Canada, breastfeeding rates are lowest in the populations already at risk for adverse health outcomes, including young and/or single mothers, aboriginal women, and those with lower incomes.

It must be said that there are women for whom breastfeeding may not be successful, for various reasons. But fewer than many might think. Many breastfeeding couples (mom and baby) just need the right kind of help.

That is why the theme for Canada's recent celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2008 was Mother Support: Reclaiming our Breastfeeding Culture. To be successful at breastfeeding, mothers need support.

We need teachers and mentors to show us how to get started with breastfeeding and how to keep going: Well-informed maternity and community health nurses, midwives, physicians and, most importantly, other breastfeeding mothers for peer support.

We need encouragement from family and friends. We need employers and educational institutions to provide clean and private areas for pumping while mothers are away from their babies. And no, the women's washroom is not the best place to prepare baby food.

But perhaps the biggest thing that women need is a change in the way society supports breastfeeding. Public breastfeeding is clearly big news, as demonstrated by the recent media coverage of the H&M episode, as well as response to Angelina Jolie breastfeeding on a forthcoming magazine cover. In 2008, a mother's response to her child's need for food and comfort in public still incites controversy.

Some suggest that she should "cover up," or retreat to the washroom, but some babies just don't like to eat with their head under a blanket, and some mothers just aren't comfortable with babies eating in the bathroom.

Breastfeeding is a woman's right, and to be breastfed is a child's right.

Sheryl Barber and Erin Dykstra are fourth year nursing students at Douglas College.

PUBLICATION: Vancouver Sun
DATE: 2008.10.17
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Issues & Ideas
PAGE: A19