BREASTFEEDING: GIVE YOUR BABY THE BEST NUTRITION

In 1997, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a strongly worded endorsement for breast-feeding and a policy statement recommending that women begin breast-feeding within an hour of birth and continue "as long as mutually desired" until the baby is at least 12 months old or older.

Studies have shown that breast-fed babies have fewer ear and other infections the first year of life, have a reduced chance of developing asthma and allergies, and bond more readily with their mothers. Breast milk is also custom formulated and chemically changes to meet the changing needs of a baby in a way that can't be reproduced in a laboratory.

Although most women are capable of breast-feeding, there are often personal reasons for not doing so. For instance, certain breast surgeries, including mastectomy and breast reduction, as well as rare anatomical problems can prevent lactation. And if a mother must take medication that will pass through her breast milk and be harmfu.

Sometimes the reasons for not breast-feeding are psychological; for example, some women who've endured sexual abuse can't manage it, said Harvey. Other women make practical considerations. As a physician who runs a Newport Beach mammography center, Elizabeth Pusey was well aware of the benefits of breast-feeding. She also knew that she had a hard time conceiving. After her first child was born, she wanted to try to get pregnant again as soon as possible. Because breast-feeding suppresses ovulation, making conception less likely, she chose to bottle-feed. "I was a little concerned that there was something I wasn't giving my brand-new baby, to whom I wanted to give everything in the world, but we bonded so well and he was so healthy, that after a while my concerns went away," she said.

Women who need to return to work after short maternity leaves also cite that as a major reason for not starting, or for stopping early. It's not that they don't want to breast-feed or can't but, rather, that they find the task of pumping and storing milk while at work too difficult to manage. But physical, emotional and logistical problems aside, the No. 1 reason for breast-feeding failure in the U.S. is women not believing they have enough milk, said Harvey. They need a shot of confidence.

As a neonatologist at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, Jose Perez is acutely concerned with what goes into the stomachs of the high-risk and premature infants he treats. And while he concedes that breast milk is best, he also realizes that it's not something every woman can or wants to do. "When I talk to moms, I give them my speech about why they should breast-feed. I say, it's good for their [babies'] health, builds immunities, decreases rates of infection, guards against asthma and allergies, promotes bonding, helps your uterus contract and helps you get your figure back quicker. Plus it's cheaper and portable.

From the L.A. Times, Sept. 5, 2000