BY: ALEX BROWN
Let me first say this: if somebody told my wife that her breastfeeding in public was “disgusting,” I would one-punch that motherfucker so fast. I’ll admit, I neither have a wife, baby, nor am I sure whether that’s the most reasonable course of action (probably not), but that’s the scenario that gives me the most joy to play out in my mind.
It hardly seems necessary to point out the misogynistic, backwards thinking that could lead somebody to be “disgusted” by a newborn baby feeding, or a mother, innocently supplying life to the small human-being she (nearly) singlehandedly brought into the world. The people who are ostensibly “disgusted” enough to make a comment have already forfeited the capacity to think in emotional terms—so here we’ll just rely on cold, hard logic.
On the 28th of January, The Lancet published what has been deemed the most extensive and detailed piece of research to ever explore the topic of breastfeeding. To begin with the conclusion, the study estimates that increased breastfeeding could save more than 800,000 babies and 20,000 mothers per year, worldwide. These eye-popping numbers stem largely from the pathogens in water supplies that, when necessarily mixed into baby formula, attack an infant’s underprepared immune systems. In terms of the mother, breastfeeding is important for preventing breast cancer, as well as possibly curbing ovarian cancer and Type 2 diabetes.
According to the study, the detrimental effects of not breastfeeding are wide and deep, pertinent to both low-income and high-income countries. However, the study concludes, “neglect is particularly important in high-income countries,” where less than “one in every five children are breastfed by the age of 12 months.” Alternatively, in lower income countries, “breastfeeding at 12 months was widespread…” Still, it’s important to note that in low and middle income countries, “only 37 percent of children younger than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed.”
In high-income countries, breastfeeding is a preventative of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is where a seemingly healthy baby stops breathing in its sleep and passes away as a result. In fact, according to eurekalert.org, breastfeeding can cut the risk of SIDS for more than one in three babies. One meta-analysis demonstrated a near-60 percent decrease in “necrotising enterocolitis” among infants, an intestinal disease that most often results in death. Also, breastfeeding is also essential for the child in preventing “diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and otitis media.” The study also noted a nine percent decrease in asthma among breastfed children. Breastfeeding has been proven to increase a child’s intelligence and lower risks of later disease.
Mothers on Instagram encourage breastfeeding with the hashtag #BreastIsBest
As Professor Cesar Victoria, from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, who helped author the report says, “Our work for this Series clearly shows that breastfeeding saves lives and money in all countries, rich and poor alike. Therefore, the importance of tackling the issue globally is greater than ever.”
The decision not to breastfeed in high-income countries is largely due to the incorrect assumption that formula can adequately replace breast milk. Perhaps this is because a mother would prefer not to breastfeed, or perhaps it’s because they’ve been shamed into believing that breastfeeding is unnecessary, or even “disgusting,” as many passersby take the opportunity to inform them. Whatever the reason, the Lancet’s extensive new research has made one thing very clear: the stakes are high.
So, if the shame-scenario does apply, perhaps my “one punch” scenario would be useful after all—you know, protect a baby who may grow up to take pride in things like mother and infant health, societal habits that prevent unnecessary mortality and the intelligence (and manners) to promote miracles of life rather than publicly shame them.
Image sourcing: sheknows.com, instagram.com