How do you stack up?
by Kate Kahn - 14th October 2008
Did you stop nursing in the first two months? If so, why? Were you ever taught how to prorperly prepare formula? Did your baby sleep in the same room as you for the first three months as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics?
Your answers could indicate whether or not you fit into the "norm" according to a new study done by the FDA and the CDC. I say "could" because the study's authors acknowledge flaws with their sample. Namely, the parents who particiapted had more education and were older as well as being white, employed and of middle income status moreso than those in other studies.
Nevertheless, the study covers the first year of a child's life. See how you stack up. Here are some of the highlights:
* If you stopped nursing in the firt two months it was because you had lactation problems ( your baby had trouble latching or you felt you weren't producing enough milk to satisfy your baby).
* If you fed your baby formula you were not taught how to prperly store it. And, you didn't always clean bottle nipples enough. 1 in 3 heated bottles of formula in microwaves ( I'm one of those!).
* Most new moms had the baby sleep in the same room as them, which is recommended. But, most also had the baby in bed with them and slept together, which is not recommended.
* About 25% didn't put the baby to sleep on his/her back at three months old.
* Most breastfed babies are not getting enough iron and not getting iron drop supplements.
* After the baby turned six months old, most new moms changed from exclusive breafeeding or doing a combo with formula, to all formula.
I only had a chance to include some of the information here so if you're interested in finding out more, you can do so by reading the full study in the journal Pediatrics.
Comments
Past Entries
This Week's
Question
Sign the Petition
Do moms know best? We believe they do, but the government may not..
Your freedom to choose between breast and bottle-feeding could be in jeopardy.
