Let's start at the very beginning...

Breast is Best-Always and Long Term

Childhood obesity is on the rise and as a result First Lady Michelle Obama has started a new campaign to bring awareness to this issue.  The goal of this campaign “Let’s Move” is to overcome childhood obesity within one generation.  I imagine this campaign will not only encourage children to get active and lose weight but will also promote preventative measures.  The United States Breastfeeding Committee calls on the First Lady and those involved in this program to recognize the important role that breastfeeding plays in obesity prevention as well as overall health.

In a recent publication Dr. Joan Younger Meek-the USBC chair stated: “Multiple studies have shown that a history of not breastfeeding increases the risk of being overweight or obese in childhood and adolescence. Adolescent obesity often persists into adult life.  Breastfeeding plays an important role in obesity prevention and improving overall health outcomes, and therefore is vitally important to public health.”  She also suggests that the longer the child is breastfed the better the overall health outcomes for not only the child but the mother as well.

For most of us-this is common sense but I am sure we can all agree that one does not necessarily always hear about the connection between breastfeeding and long-term health.  Mothers should be encouraged and supported in their quests to breastfeed their babies.  The desire to breastfeed is certainly on the rise, which is wonderful, but for whatever reasons many women are ceasing to nurse after their babies reach six months of age.  Now don’t get me wrong-some nursing is better than none at all but perhaps more emphasis should be placed on the LONG TERM benefits of breastfeeding-as in even after your baby starts solids continue to breastfeed for at least a year. 

We all know the risks associated with being overweight and the “Let’s Move” campaign is off to a great start empowering consumers and providing parents with the tools and information they need to make healthier choices.  These choices start at the very beginning-nutrition during pregnancy of course but also continuing that nurturing and nutritional support through breastfeeding.  Now most new parents don’t necessarily have the time to read the reports put out by organizations like the U.S Department of Health and Human Services or the World Health Organization so perhaps it should start with us.  Maybe it is up to us as doulas and childbirth educators to spread the word-you know-even more than we already do.

Reference:

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/NewsInformation/NewsRoom/201002PreventingObesityBeginsatBirth/tabid/169/Default.aspx