Tremendous health benefits have been proven to pass from mother to child through breast milk from antibodies which protect an infant at birth...to the exclusive nutrients in mother's milk which have been shown to prevent a number of childhood diseases.
I breastfed my son until he was one year old. Breastfeeding helped me lose weight very fast and helped me develop a special emotional relationship with my baby. I remember that my son rarely had colic or stomach upsets, and rarely had ear infections throughout his childhood, he was and still average weight comparing to his age, he rarely got sick, and most importantly he was very securely attached to me as a baby and toddler.
My breastfeeding experience was a very special one. I advise every woman to breastfeed her baby for her health benefits, the baby’s health, and for the bond that will last a lifetime.
Breastfeeding in Nigeria
Breast feeding is not a problem in Nigeria at all, but getting mothers to do it the right way is theproblem. Up till now some people still have challenges with the issue of not giving water and herbs at all during the first 6 months.
In every culture in Nigeria every mother is expected to breastfeed her child except for some serious reasons. In fact, in some societies, even neonates who lost their mothers during birth are usually breast fed by relations who re-lactate to do so; some are even breastfed by their grandmothers.
The mothers, especially the uneducated can breastfeed anytime and anywhere even in the public buses. Some even breastfeed while working on the farms, for example while planting crops and baby who is trapped to the back is hungry, what the mother does is shift the baby to the side, still strapped to the mother, she brings out the breast, then sticks it in the baby's mouth and continues her planting. The educated usually try to stay in secluded places to breastfeed.
In every culture in Nigeria every mother is expected to breastfeed her child except for some serious reasons. In fact, in some societies, even neonates who lost their mothers during birth are usually breast fed by relations who re-lactate to do so; some are even breastfed by their grandmothers.
The mothers, especially the uneducated can breastfeed anytime and anywhere even in the public buses. Some even breastfeed while working on the farms, for example while planting crops and baby who is trapped to the back is hungry, what the mother does is shift the baby to the side, still strapped to the mother, she brings out the breast, then sticks it in the baby's mouth and continues her planting. The educated usually try to stay in secluded places to breastfeed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a great topic and I would like to thank you for sharing it and your personal experience. When I started to read I could not believe how in Nigera aunties and grandmothers had to breat feed their families babies if mothers could not do it. (It still makes my shoulders go up). This also shows the difference in cultures. What a great read!
ReplyDeleteGreat for you and your son that you breast fed for the first year. It is the best milk for the baby and alway ready for them. No mixing, find bottle pieces or heating water.
ReplyDelete