There are a lot of controversial viewpoints about the topic of "#breastfeeding", as indicated by an article featuring a picture of breastfeeding #soldiers in the #military. - http://clapway.com/2015/09/17/breastfeeding-breast123/

There are a lot of controversial viewpoints about the topic of “breastfeeding”, as indicated by a recently released news article featuring a picture of breastfeeding soldiers, which has since gone viral. Some regard it as repulsive and unnecessary (you can look through the comments of these articles), but what people don’t realize is that breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to feed a child, as well as the cheapest option for a lot parents. The main issue is how sexualized the breasts have become – so much so that people find it unacceptable for a woman to feed her child in public.

Breastfeeding: The sexualization of the breast

Breastfeeding in public is not considered a form of public nudity or a violation of the law; in fact, it is done in other regions of the world without any problems.

The sexualization of the breasts, however, is something that is quite new to the world, and it can be categorized as a fetish – or a form of sexual desired linked to a particular object or part of the body (usually to an abnormal degree). This hasn’t always been the case, but today, this sexualization means that women wanting to breastfeed their children must do so in private. Women are relegated to feeding their child in a bathroom stall, or somewhere equally cramped, in order to make sure that other people do not feel uneasy or uncomfortable.

How women are responding

Presently, there are military policies that tell women soldiers to cover up or go into another room. In response to the growing negative attitudes towards breastfeeding, women are fighting back. As previously noted, many images depicting breastfeeding soldiers are now going viral. This is significant as one way to normalize the practice in public is to continuously create exposure to it in order to make people understand that it is a vital way to provide children nutrients during the first year or so after giving birth.

---

FOR TECHNOLOGY RELATED NEWS AND PRODUCT REVIEWS, CHECK OUT CLAPWAY TRENDS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xizCTm2uyFg

Breastfeeding and the Sexualization of Breast

%A new study has found that #breastfeeding may increase the exposure of #toxicchemicals in infants between 20-30% for each month they are breastfed.% - http://clapway.com/2015/08/21/breastfeeding-infant-toxic-chemicals-099/

A new study has found that breastfeeding may increase the exposure of toxic chemicals in infants between 20-30% for each month they are breastfed. However, the study authors do not believe these facts should discourage breastfeeding as the chemical concentrations decrease once breastfeeding stops.

BREASTFEEDING INCREASES CHEMICAL CONCENTRATIONS IN INFANTS

Breastfeeding is a personal choice for each mother to make under the guidance of a physician. While there are many positive effects of breastfeeding, this new study has found at least one drawback to breast milk.

The study is the first to quantify the levels of toxic chemicals known as perfluorinated alkylate substances, or PFAS in infants that is transferred from mother to baby via breast milk. These chemicals are found in everyday products that nearly every consumer comes into contact with, which may be the reason why the buildup of these chemicals may increase in infants by 30% each month they are breastfed.

Though these percentages seem high, they do decrease after the child stops breastfeeding and the study authors did not recommend or discourage breastfeeding.

Do New Mothers Need More Advice for Infant Care and Breastfeeding?

TOXIC CHEMICALS CALLED PFAS MAY PASS FROM MOM’S BREAST MILK TO INFANTS

The study authors were well aware of the fact PFAS were found in trace amounts in breast milk, however it wasn’t until their study that the precise amount passed on to infants was revealed.

For children who were solely breastfed, the concentration of PFAS was between 20 and 30 percent for each month they were breastfed, while the children who were only partially breastfed had a reduced increase.

Nearing the end of their breastfeeding, some infants had higher PFAS concentrations than their mothers! However, all of the levels decreased when the child stopped drinking breast milk, no matter if they had been exclusively breastfed or partially.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH PFAS IN BREAST MILK?

Well, PFAs are in lots of household products. From the waterproof mattress protector to Dad’s stain-resistant shirt to Mom’s new paint supplies and even in the kitchen as food packaging, PFAS are everywhere and bioaccumulate in food chains.

These little chemical compounds are basically indestructible and and can be found in the body for a long, long time. They’ve been linked to problems with the immune system, endocrine system, and even reproductive systems.

But the U.S. does not regulate the amount of transfer of PFAS to infants and does not perform chemical testings. The science may be solid, but the legislation is not, so your baby may be at risk for health issues that arise from PFAS.

More Chemical Dangers for Children

BREASTFEEDING IS NOT DISCOURAGED BY STUDY AUTHORS

The study concluded that breast milk was a significant source of PFAS exposure for infants; however, the researchers did not discredit or condemn breastfeeding.

Of the 81 children from the Faroe Islands that participated in the study, all were found to have had their PFAS concentrations decrease at the termination of breastfeeding. The researchers conducted blood analyses at the 32 weeks gestation, birth, 11 months, 18 months, and 5 years.

The researchers are concerned about the high level of transfer between mother and baby, but they are not suggesting stopping breastfeeding.

The study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the study was conducted by experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Faroese Hospital system alongside Danish universities.

Title Picture Credit to Various Brennemans
Additional Image Credit to Stefan Malmesjö

Does Breastfeeding Introduce Your Infant to Toxic Chemicals?

#Equal #treatment for all #nervous #NewMothers. - http://clapway.com/2015/07/27/what-to-do-with-your-baby-new-mothers-need-more-infant-care-advice-234/

The National Institutes of Health funded a study surveying new mothers to inquire about the source of their infant care advice ranging from baby sleep positions to immunizations to breastfeeding. Sources of advice were classified as health care practitioners such as doctors and nurses, family members, and the media.

New Mothers Don’t Receive Infant Care Advice Says Study

With packed schedules and a completely different set of routines and responsibilities, new mothers may not be receiving appropriate attention from their physicians when it comes to advice on infant care according to a study in Pediatrics.

The study was conducted by researchers at Boston Medical Center, Boston University, and Yale University.

The Study of Attitudes and Factors Affecting Infant Care Practices (SAFE), researchers asked 1031 women from 32 hospitals around the United States to complete a questionnaire 2 to 6 months after giving birth. The questionnaire would show whether the mothers received advice and, if so, whether the advice was consistent with health care practitioner latest recommendations.

Deciphering How Physicians Advise New Mothers; Baby Sleep Position

The study revealed that many aspects of care were not being adequately covered by doctors and nurses, although recommendations and even guidelines on each aspect of infant care has been thoroughly researched to help promote infant safety.

The study revealed a shocking 20 percent of new mothers did not receive any advice from their physicians in regards to infant sleep position. More than 50 percent also reported receiving no advice about where infants should sleep.

The current recommendation for reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is placing the baby to sleep on his or her back. The best location for a baby is in the same room as the parents, a practice known as room-sharing, though not within the same bed.

More than 25 percent of recommendations regarding sleep position and location given by physicians were not consistent with the latest recommendations. The authors believe that the physicians may not offer the advice due to lack of knowledge of the recommendations or because the physician does not agree with it.

Physicians Should Offer More Time and Do So Equally

Another revelation of the study was that not all new mothers were treated equal. African American, Hispanic, and first time mothers were more likely to receive guidance from physicians than their white mother counterparts and mothers who had children already.

According to Marian Willinger, Ph.D.., of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), new mothers are more likely to listen to their physician’s advice.

“This survey shows that physicians have an opportunity to provide new mothers with much-needed advice on how to improve infant health and even save infant lives,” Willinger said. Physicians should take the extra time for each new mother to explain proper infant care. Learning about infant care and its updated recommendations can save many newborn lives as well as help new mothers cope with the stress and joy that is motherhood.

---

 

Musio might be easier to take care of:

What to Do With Your Baby: New Mothers Need More Infant Care Advice