Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Breast Feeding Is Healthiest Start

When Sharon and Calvin Martin's little bundle of joy was born 15 months ago, the Arkansas couple had already researched the options and decided that breastfeeding would provide their baby with the healthiest start. The Martins have plenty of company with this conclusion. In 1994, 57.4 percent of all women giving birth in the U.S. breastfed their newborns. That's up from 51.5 percent in 1990.

The greatest increases have been among low-income women who participate in WIC (a federal supplemental food program for Women, Infants and Children). Among WIC clients in Arkansas, the rates have more than tripled. Arkansas and ten other states were chosen as pilot locations for research and development of promotional and educational materials for a federal project to increase the number of women who breastfeed.

The phrase "LOVING SUPPORT: makes breastfeeding work" may soon become a familiar nationwide. A national media campaign to promote and encourage the support of breastfeeding will be launched the week of August 1-7. Although formula feeding can be simple and successful, breastfed babies generally: have fewer ear infections and allergies; have less constipation and diarrhea; and are hospitalized less often for infection.

Many families, like the Martins, are aware that breastmilk provides more health benefits than other types of milk for babies. However, according to surveys, some base their infant feeding choices on other considerations such as the competing demands for a mother's time and schedule, embarassment about breastfeeding in public places, and a lack of social support.

For some women, these considerations outweigh the benefits of breastfeeding. The time consideration presented the greatest challenge to Sharon, an accountant with an active daily schedule. "I had too many things going on in my life, I needed to be able to keep the baby on a schedule," she says. Planning to return to work eight weeks after the baby's birth, Sharon was unsure how to incorporate breastfeeding into her work schedule. She was also unsure whether breastfeeding would be possible long-term. And, Sharon was uneasy with the idea of breastfeeding in public. "I was not comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding in front of others, but I didn't want to be left out of social activities," she remembers.

After a friend referred Sharon to the Health Department's Office of Breastfeeding Services, she found that the obstacles could be controlled. A lactation consultant helped her think through possible options and available resources to create a workable plan. The flexibility of Sharon's work time and an affordable electric breast pump allowed her to provide breastmilk for her baby for a full year. Sharon also received tips that made her transition back to work easier: establish a good milk supply through frequent breastfeeding during the infant's first four-to-six weeks; offer the first bottle by three-to-four weeks and continue to give small amounts each day thereafter to maintain the baby's acceptance of both breast and bottle; breastfeed exclusively during evenings and weekends to offset the expected decline in milk supply by the end of the week.

"Not every working woman's job allows flexible hours, breaks, areas for pumping of facilities for milk storage. However, there are creative ways to make almost any situation work. There are many possibilities for mothers who work, attend school or simply lead busy lives. With a little guidance, most mothers can fit breastfeeding into any schedule," according to Sandra Jones, nutritionist and lactation consultant.

Sharon's lactation counselor also provided tips on how to breastfeed discreetly around others: wear separates with a top that can be adjusted to accomodate the baby; a coordinating scarf can be used as a cover-up; pump breastmild before a scheduled event to be given by bottle.

It's also important for a new mother to have a lot of support from her family.

For more information, call the Department of Health's statewide breastfeeding help-line, 1-800-445-6175.