Think Breast Feeding is Natural? Think again!

in #health7 years ago


Do you, like me believe that breastfeeding is the best possible start for a baby? Well, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have just made this outlandish claim - encouraging us to stop thinking of breastfeeding as natural.

Well, luckily the World Health Organisation tells us, "Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival". I do realise that there are many reasons a mother may be unable to breastfeed a baby and nowadays we are fortunate that alternatives are available but I believe that old adage that 'Breast is Best' whenever possible. Just consider a few of these facts:

  1. Human milk boosts a baby’s immune system, helping them fight viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. It also reduces their risk of disease later in life.

  2. Breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of ovarian and breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The longer you breastfeed, the higher the benefit. In fact, a woman who breastfeeds for 8 years has nearly a 0% risk of breast cancer (amazing right?)

  3. Breastfeeding a baby girl actually reduces her lifetime risk of breast cancer by 25%.

  4. Milk changes nutritionally as your baby grows, so milk made for a newborn is different than for a 6 month old. It can even change day to day, increasing water content during times of hot weather and illness to provide extra hydration.

  5. Human breastmilk contains substances that promote sleep and calmness in babies.

  6. Breastfed infants are at lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

  7. Breastfeeding reduces baby’s risk of cavities later on and may even lower the chance they will need braces when they are older.

They are amazing facts right? And that's not even taking into account the cost, the emotional wellbeing, the hygiene and so many other little things.

Somehow the human race has continued safely through thousands of years with the help of breastfeeding - and without the use of vaccines come to that - the AAP's other gripe. Do they think we are stupid? How does stuff like this get published!

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Exclusive breast milk is very very important for a baby&mother.It reduces cost,infectious disease, like diarrhoea.Already you discussed breastfeeding how benefitted a baby.so everybody should gain knowledge about this post. Thanks for sharing .

I'm sometimes wondering as an European what's happening in USA. I just don't get it.

Don't drink cows milk it's not natural , haha
Cows are bombarded with antibiotic and growth hormones
There's nothing more natural than mother's breast milk

You have to wonder how the general public can regard doctors as intelligent when they make statements such as these.

I love collecting information for my own reference and I am wondering if you can offer me sources for the statistics about breastfeeding reducing cancer rates.

Thanks for the article! Aimee

The article in question is here and there's another article discussing the issue here. I don't think they're really saying that breastfeeding is unnatural – they're saying that "natural" is a loaded word.
Apparently there was a UK paper arguing that natural was a "mushy" word and considering whether it's time to get rid of it, which seems a bit Orwellian in itself. Who decides when it's time to "get rid of" a word? Language can be used as propaganda. But the UK paper discussing this appears to have been removed.

Propaganda , and laying some foundation for wats to come .

Interesting! I will take a gander at those articles. Thanks so much for sharing. -Aimee

Hi Aimee, thank you, I know right?!!! I found those sort of claims or info in various places on the web - one of them is: https://www.health-foundations.com/blog/2013/11/19/15-cool-facts-about-breastfeeding/ but there is no source for her info I'm afraid. There must be somewhere although really I wasn't being quite that scientific so didn't look for proof.

No problem! I read/hear about the benefits of breastfeeding all the time and I really do believe in them but having sources would be nice too. Just like having an ace in your back pocket, you know. 😊 -Aimee

PRO breastfeeding for SO many reasons! How can it NOT be natural?! 🤔

Absolutely unbelievable! I would laugh if I didn't feel like crying. Are they sponsored by Nestle by any chance? Do people honestly believe this? The world is madder than ever at the moment.

It never ceases to be amazing at the hogwash certain entities postulate and try to proclaim as truth. Anyone with any kind of critical thinking would realize that breast feeding is the best and most natural way to nurture and feed an infant. Good grief! And thank you for all of your specific points. Good job.

Wow, this is crazy, breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world, it's not always the easiest but how can you say otherwise, why do women have breasts in the first place?aaaaah hearing this does really annoy me because some people will listen. I bet you there are some CEO's for formula milk pushing these lies xx thanks for posting this @sue-price, resteemed x

The thing is really out of control! Funny (pretty sad) thing is that people follow this crazy agendas even if they go against reasonable thoughts, Biology and Science in general ...

Oh my goodness!!!!