Back to School with b5media’s Science and Health Channel
September 12, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breastfeeding, carnival, poll
With September heralding the start of a new school year in many families, this month’s b5media Science and Health Channel theme day focuses on “Back to School.” Kristina at Autism Vox hosts the theme day this month.
Most people are surprised to learn that physicians generally get less than one-and-a-half hours of instruction in breastfeeding throughout their entire medical school training. Fortunately there is one ground-breaking pilot program that has established a model breastfeeding curriculum in test hospitals across the country.
I think breastfeeding education should not be limited to medical professionals though. Breastfeeding offers so many health benefits to both the mother and baby that it is critical that the word be spread. The question becomes, at what age should that education start? With the image of baby dolls with their baby bottles starting to influence children at such a young age, I think breastfeeding should be discussed in age-appropriate ways throughout a child’s education. I suspect others might consider breastfeeding a sensitive or even inappropriate topic. Please voice your opinion by voting in the poll below (and as always, feel free to leave a comment as well!)
To see all prior poll results, visit the “poll” category.
Education begins at home, so first and foremost, we are teaching our children about breastfeeding when we breastfeed! Children will do as we do, not as we say. Any disucssion about health and nutrition should include a mention of breastfeeding, no matter what age class you are teaching. Healthy habits start at birth!