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"Even when the mother is herself malnourished, her body will normally provide enough milk for a baby, nutritionists say"
Read the article from the NY Times here.
God is no dummy. Even a poor mom has what she needs to help her baby. We NEVER give out formula. We don't give out bottles. We never will. We fight constantly with the preconceived idea that rich people buy formula therefore formula is better. We fight constantly with the culture of aunties and grannies telling young moms that they don't have enough milk. Lies take the lives of babies. With support, almost every woman can produce enough milk and breastfeed without problems.
Breast is best is the number one thing being taught and re-taught in the Heartline pre-natal and early childhood development classes. Women who comply have fat, healthy babies. The teen moms we work with at Harbor House have some of the healthiest babies of all because they are seeing the other moms in the house doing it, seeing how healthy those babies are, and following suit.
Watching it work is magical. Dealing with women that don't believe it is frustrating and difficult.
"...what is clear is that there’s a marvelous low-tech solution to infant malnutrition all around us."
Read the article from the NY Times here.
God is no dummy. Even a poor mom has what she needs to help her baby. We NEVER give out formula. We don't give out bottles. We never will. We fight constantly with the preconceived idea that rich people buy formula therefore formula is better. We fight constantly with the culture of aunties and grannies telling young moms that they don't have enough milk. Lies take the lives of babies. With support, almost every woman can produce enough milk and breastfeed without problems.
Breast is best is the number one thing being taught and re-taught in the Heartline pre-natal and early childhood development classes. Women who comply have fat, healthy babies. The teen moms we work with at Harbor House have some of the healthiest babies of all because they are seeing the other moms in the house doing it, seeing how healthy those babies are, and following suit.
Watching it work is magical. Dealing with women that don't believe it is frustrating and difficult.
"...what is clear is that there’s a marvelous low-tech solution to infant malnutrition all around us."
7 comments:
I've read about the predatory marketing compaigns of many formula companies in countries were it means the death of many babies. I don't know how they sleep at night.
In America, the choice between bottle and breast is seen as a "mother's choice." And more than likely her baby won't die. But for other babies is a choice of life and death. So frustrating.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
Have you ever had a mother who didn't have enough milk for her baby? If there is one who can't nurse, would you find a wet nurse instead of resorting to formula?
I know I'm pumping to feed my baby girl since she is sick and can't nurse, but since she wasn't growing the doctors have me adding calories to my milk with formula. It's sad to me that I can't provide what she needs, but I'm very thankful that I can get formula to make Ilse grow.
godsmercydisplayed.blogspot.com
Emily Minich
Hi Emily -
Since late 2007 when the program took off we've only had one or two moms that couldn't do it. Yes, we did have to help supplement with formula and a reliable clean water source - but we have had 100's of women that could breastfeed (many of them poorly nourished themselves) and we don't want to send a mixed message so we don't have bottles or formula readily available ... we give ours to other clinics/programs that need it or in the case of a mother dying. Once babies are born we weigh them every week so we notice quickly if a momma is struggling - and intervene early. Some women will supplement breastfeeding with bean sauce or other things that the babies cannot digest, that stuff is pretty easy to detect too. It takes lots of convincing to break what has been said and taught. The exclusively breast fed plump three (or four-five-six) month old is our best teaching tool.
Prayed just now that God will open these mamas' eyes to the truth, so they'll open their shirts to their babies. (corny, I know, but that's what popped in my head while I was praying)
Keep fighting for these mamas and babies, friend. Keep fighting. We've got your back.
I just found your blog and am really enjoying following along, and reading some of your back entries.
My husband just came back from Haiti. He went with Extollo International. Their goal is to teach better building practices to the locals so that the buildings can better withstand earthquakes and hurricanes.
Back to your post....
What do you do with HIV+ moms? Do you still encourage them to breastfeed their babies?
Hi :)
The WHO (World Health Organization) is now saying that exclusively breastfed babies of HIV moms have no greater risk of testing positive at the 6 month mark than babies that are bottle fed. The key is that they cannot do both ... they need to be committed to breastfeeding and believe in it.
In 2009 we had a handful of HIV mommas in the program but we currently don't have any with HIV. It has been odd how few we've had in the last year.
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