Breastfeeding Q&A Transcript Up
May 9, 2007 by kate baggott
Filed under Breastfeeding
Dr. Jack Newman, author of The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers and Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, is one of the biggest proponents of breastfeeding in the medical community. The Globe and Mail sponsored a web Q&A with the MD. The full transcript is now online.
Here’s my favourite part of the discussion:
- Bonnie Lass, Canada: I am currently expecting my first child and my husband and I are discussing breastfeeding. For me it has always been a no-brainer. I was always planning to breastfeed my kids. But he isn’t sure it’s right for us. He’s concerned about wanting to participate in feeding and about the convenience factor. Many of our friends who use formula insist that while breast milk is superior, there’s not that big a difference really. My question is, how much more beneficial is breastfeeding than formula feeding really? Is it THAT big a difference or is it just slightly better?
- Jack Newman: The father will have plenty of opportunities to feed the baby once the baby is on solids. And there is so much the father could do for you and the baby besides feed the baby. This will become obvious once you have the baby.
- And convenience factor? What’s the convenience factor in artificial feeding?
- This is about the baby, and doing the best for the baby and the mother. The most convenient thing would have been not to have a baby in the first place. Then nothing interferes with your life. But the “inconvenience” of having a baby is offset by the pleasure the baby gives you.
- Is the father aware of the risks of artificial feeding? Is the father aware that there are risks in not breastfeeding for you? You decrease your risk of breast cancer, for example, by breastfeeding, and the longer the better.
- I think the father should rethink all this.
Dad can certainly participate in feedings, even if baby is exclusively receiving breast milk. They say the “breast is best.” It’s the breast milk that has the good stuff. So if you decide to pump in addition to direct breast feeding, Dad can supplement with breast milk in a bottle while you take a much deserved nap.
And should you decide to pump and perhaps find you have more milk than you know what to do with, I’ll bet you can find a nearby milk bank to take the extra off your hands.
Plus, I always remind moms that breastfeeding and pumping burn a TON of calories. Baby weight? Gone in a jiffy!
Need another selling point for Dad? Let him know that breastfeeding your kiddo will save you big bucks in the long run. Breast milk provides good stuff to boost the immune system, therefore reducing the chances of allergies and colds, obesity and diabetes later in life.
Congrats on the new addition!
Megan