Whitney Montoya

Dr. Stacy Throne Stuewe

English 1301: Composition 1

June 27 2018

Breastfeeding is Best

Having children is one of the best joys in life. You would do anything to protect your

baby, so why not start with one of the most natural things you can give and that is breastfeeding

your baby. Approximately 4 million babies are born every year (National Center for Health

Statistics), and approximately 81.8% of mothers begin breastfeeding their babies at birth but stop

before the recommended time (CDC Newsroom). Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to give

your baby an optimal healthy start in life. Breastmilk in the first few days of a newborn baby’s

life is called colostrum and is often referred to as “liquid gold”, and it is! It is filled with

antibodies, fats and proteins to protect the newborn baby against disease, infection and sickness.

It is usually much thicker than normal milk, creamy and yellowish-gold in color. It is literally the

easiest and best start that you can give your baby in life. You are protecting their little bodies

right from the beginning by nourishing them from your own.

Breast-fed babies are less likely to have asthma, diabetes and even some cancers. On top

of all that, the mother’s breast milk will actually change its composition to accommodate your

baby’s needs (March of Dimes). When your baby nurses, the saliva from the suckling will tell

your body if the baby is dehydrated or sick. The milk then changes to supply your baby with the
required nutrients or will add more water to the milk for rehydration. A study done by University

of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences showed that the gut of

babies that were breast-fed was much healthier than those of formula-fed babies. The breast-fed

babies induce genetic pathways that are much different than those of formula-fed babies and they

are receiving immunity boosters and good bacteria right to their gut (University of Illinois).

There are many substances found in breastmilk that cannot be found in formula. These

substances help to protect against respiratory and gastrointestinal issues which have been linked

to some SIDS deaths. Breast-fed premature babies tend to feed more than do their formula-fed

friends, therefore, getting more practice in sucking, swallowing and breathing coordination

(Sears). “Breastmilk builds better brains!”. Along with potentially preventing your baby from

SIDS, it seems that babies who have breast-fed for the recommended amount of time or longer,

will test higher on IQ tests as older children (Sears)

There are many benefits to nursing a child other than the obvious healthy effects it has on

them. Breastfeeding from the moment your child is born builds a connection like no other

between the mother and the child. As a mother who formula-fed her first and breast-fed the

second, I would give anything to go back 10 years and breastfeed my first child as well. It is

really an amazing experience that is unique to mothers and the bonding is wonderful. Your baby

begins practicing suckling inside the womb and comes out ready to put those skills to use. Some

babies will latch right away, but some will have some issues and that may be frustrating for

mothers who just want to feed their babies, and babies who are having trouble getting out enough

milk. Luckily, each hospital is usually staffed with lactation consultants who will help you with

any latch issues, and once the problem is solved, your breastfeeding journey can really take off!

Your baby will love the closeness of you. They will love the warmth and your smell and the
safeness that they feel while nursing. It is a calming experience for both mom and baby as when

the baby suckles, hormones are released that will relax you and baby and at most times, puts

baby right to sleep.

Some people will tell you that if your baby is nursing too much that they are “using you

as a pacifier” or are “comfort nursing” too much. Comfort nursing is not a negative thing. Your

baby knows that they can comfort themselves by being close to you and that is not a bad thing. In

one study by lactation consultant Fleur Bickford, she found that nursing a child directly after a

heel prick calmed them down more than any other intervention. Research shows that feeling

comforted works better and quicker than actual painkillers (Pitman). Another common

misconception is that breastfeeding your child for comfort will lead to overdependency, but it is

actually shown that children that breastfeed up to two years of age and older go on to be

independent, adventurous children (Pitman).

A lot of women, I think, want to be able to have this experience with their own children,

but sometimes society gets in the way. Breasts are overly sexualized so that it is perfectly

acceptable to walk around in plunging tops with massive cleavage or tiny bikini tops, but as soon

as a woman shows a little bit of boob to nurse her baby, people lose their minds. Breasts were

not intended to be sexual objects. They were intended to produce milk and sustain life. In my

two years of breastfeeding, I have heard many stories of mothers being shamed for nursing in

public, or maybe nursing without a cover. I don’t know if you have ever tried to eat with a

blanket on your head but I can imagine that it is not pleasant! The nursing community is actually

quite large and there is a lot of support to be had out there.

Breastfeeding is time consuming, and it is hard, but it is very rewarding and it doesn’t last

forever. Formula-feed your baby if you must. After all, fed really is best, but if you have the
chance to nurse your child, do it! The rewards will outweigh anything negative anyone has to

say, and their opinion really doesn’t matter anyways. You will love yourself for it and your baby

will love you even more. You will have an everlasting unique bond with your baby that nobody

else can touch and you will be doing one of the best, most natural things that you could possibly

think of for your child.

 Works Cited

“CDC Newsroom.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention, 26 Aug. 2016, www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0822-breastfeeding-

rates.html. Accessed June 25, 2018.

“National Center for Health Statistics.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Mar. 2017, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm.

March of Dimes. “Why Is Breastfeeding Good for Your Baby?” Breastfeeding Is Best, Apr.

2016, www.marchofdimes.org/baby/breastfeeding-is-best.aspx. Accessed June 25, 2018.

Pitman, Teresa. “Comfort Nursing: Why It's Beneficial for Your Baby.” Today's Parent, Todays

Parent, 23 May 2018, www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/nursing-for-comfort/.

Accessed 25 June 2018.

Sears, Bill. “8 Reasons Breastfeeding Reduces SIDS | Ask Dr Sears.” Ask Dr Sears, Ask Dr

Sears, 25 June 2018, www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/sids/8-reasons-

breastfeeding-reduces-sids. Accessed June 25, 2018.

University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. "Why is

breast milk best? It's all in the genes." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 May 2010.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100512172342.htm. Accessed June 25, 2018.

Wessells, Allyson. “Breastfeeding Through the Years.” La Leche League USA, La Leche League

USA, 21 Nov. 2017, www.lllusa.org/breastfeeding-through-the-years/. Accessed June 25, 2018.