Since 1992, World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) has been hosted August 1-August 7, by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Themes range from women and work to community support to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, to economy, science, education and human rights. This year’s theme is Making a Difference for Working Parents; fitting after the PUMP Act was passed in late 2022. In short, the PUMP Act requires employers to allow break time for an employee to express breast milk for their nursing child, and a place at work, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public.
While the initiative is a worldwide event, supporting the working parent who chooses to breastfeed is proven to be beneficial for mothers in the United States. The breastfeeding report card, data collected routinely by the CDC, shows that in the US 62.6% of babies are exclusively breastfeeding (baby is only offered breast milk) at time of discharge from the hospital and by 6 months that number drops to 24.9%. The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer. Through continuous research and investigation, one of the best indicators for success with exclusively breastfeeding is continued support beyond the hospital stay. Support from family members, friends, providers, employers, and society as a whole.
Why is breastfeeding so strongly encouraged and supported by these organizations? The benefits for baby and mom both are profound. Breastfed babies are shown to have less chance of suffering from asthma, Type I diabetes, obesity, lower respiratory disease, ear infections, diarrhea/vomiting, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). They also have a healthier gut microbiome, a field of study we are just barely breaking the surface on. Breast milk is constantly changing to support the baby’s direct needs. Fat, protein, antibodies, and water content in breast milk fluctuate throughout the day to accommodate for the child’s changing needs from session to session; something no other food source can do. Mothers who nurse their babies have a lower risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. They also have higher levels of oxytocin, known as the love hormone, this helps to bond with the baby and even stay more relaxed. From a country wide financial point of view, low rates of breastfeeding add more than $3 billion a year to medical costs, according to the CDC. Nursing a baby can save each family money in three ways. The cost of formula averages $1200-$1500 per year (speciality formulas being more) and healthcare costs are estimated at $1400 more annually for babies who are not fed breast milk for the first 6 months. Finally, the lost income associated with having to miss work to be with an unwell child impacts a family’s budget.
So if breastfeeding is so beneficial, why is it so controversial? Societal norms have a lot to do with it. In Greek mythology it was Hera’s breast milk that made Hercules invincible and as it’s told, her milk formed the milky way. As societies evolved there was once concern about lactation affecting fertility and husband’s did not want their heirs limited, so it was discouraged. There was also fear that a nursing mom would not have the time and attention for her husband that he desired. Wet nurses (paying a lactating woman to nurse your baby for you) became a popular solution to those “problems” and even a sign of wealth and clout until about the 1920s. Modern formula was created in the late 1920s and then marketed as superb to nursing (and another sign of wealth). That is until babies were dying from contaminated water sources and lack of appropriate vitamin/mineral ratios. The paradigm shifted again and nursing came into favor once more. Now, the biggest challenge most families face is support in their work place and the community.
Entire generations have lost “grandmother’s wisdom” of the nursing journey and more mothers of infants are in the workforce now than ever before. That coupled with the development of modern hygiene practices and the ongoing research, this is uncharted territory in the world of breastfeeding. Recognizing the need for community support and the hope to keep our mothers and babies healthier, Big Sandy Medical Center is taking a two step approach to making local change. As one of the largest employers in Big Sandy, the facility is taking steps to become a Mother-friendly work site. The goal is to have this designation by the end of 2023. That will support the employees and their families. To support the families in the community, BSMC will soon offer Lactation Counselling services. Services offered to families in the prenatal months and through the entire breastfeeding journey. Together, we can make a difference for our local young families, their employers, and the health of the community.
