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ACADEMVY OrF L2 Oakville‘s Business Sch BACK TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER? LOTUS 1 â€"2â€"3 By SHELLY SANDERS GREER Special to the Beaver When I discovered I was pregnant, I started reading everything I could about babies. It didn‘t take long for me to choose breastfeeding over formula once I had the facts. Breastfeeding gives babies their mothers‘ immunities and helps protect against childhood cancers, ear infections, juvenile diabetes, colds, asthma, and allergies. It also protects mothers against breast and ovariâ€" an cancer, as well as, osteoporosis. n a cold, clear morning three days before Christmas, my daughter Amanda was born. For me, the experience was beauâ€" tiful and I was ready, just a few moments after she gave her first indignant cry, to begin nurturing her through breastfeedâ€" ing. The nurses were surprised. Not that I chose to breastfeed, but that I held her to me before she had been bathed and cleaned up. I read somewhere that the sooner the baby nurses, the stronger the bond between mother and child, and the better the breastfeeding experience. Night feedings and traveling are also easier for breastfeeding families. Instead of having to warm up formula and sterilize bottles in the middle of the night or in the car, you can just put the baby on your breast for a few minutes and doze off while she eats. Looking at my tiny baby receiving her nourishment from me was incrediâ€" ble. I was sure we were on our way to a problemâ€"free breastfeeding relationâ€" ship. When I told people of my choice to nurse, I was surprised how many peoâ€" ple told me they had tried it but didn‘t have enough milk. According to Dr. Jack Newman of Doctors Hospital, in a paper entitled ‘Some Breastfeeding Myths,‘ the majority of women produce more than enough milk. He writes that if a breastfed baby gains weight slowly, it is usually because the baby does not get the milk that the mother has. fter two days of nursing, I was not worried about whether Amanda was getting milk. She sucked so hard that I could hear the milk going down her throat. But I was not without problems. In fact, I was in agony with a breast infection and cracked nipâ€" ples. It hurt so much that I began dreading feedings. As the days passed, I began resenting her for causing me so much pain. After a couple of weeks of pain, I decided to attend a La Leche League meeting. If they couldn‘t help me, I would switch to formula. I knew I couldn‘t go on much longer with this much pain. _ se NaTuRE‘s BABY FORMULA THE HALTON $164,900. (Elev. B) on a 47 lot! for DOS WINDOWS The reason is a poor latch on the breast. I had heard that La Leche League people tended to be radical, believing all Sales Office 6 Minutes from Mississauga Road and Hwy. # 401 Breastfeeding helps mother bond with baby Oakville‘s Business School Ste , Acton les Ave Sales Office (905) 878â€"3004 Once Amanda and I relearned the proper breastfeeding position, there would be no more pain. I also found out that breastfeeding should never hurt. I just assumed it would be painful at the beginning. Armed with this new information, I felt hopeful for the ‘first time in weeks. babies should be breastfed until they were toddlers. I was nervous about the type of people I would meet. What I found was a group of warm, friendly mothers who talked about parenting issues as much as breastfeeding. I also found the help I needed. One of the leaders watched me nurse and told me my latch was incorrect. "The beauty of La Leche League is the motherâ€"toâ€"mother support," Lenore Kilmartin, one of the Oakville leaders told me. "‘There‘s lots of free advice out there . . . you just have to find out what‘s right for you and your baby. La Leche League would support any woman for however long she wants to breastfeed, whether it‘s two weeks or two years." One of the topics we discussed at La Leche League was nursing in public. I faced this problem a couple of times; once in a mall where a shopper told me to go to the washroom. I asked her if she would like to eat in the bathroom. "We‘re still facing a situation where women are embarrassed feeding in y ANAAA/A WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1994 PAGE 13 public," says Teresa Pitman, another League leader. We need to change as a society to see breastfeeding in public as normal." Fortunately, things are improving for breastfeeding mothers. When Teresa gave birth to her first child 17 years ago, he was the only breastfed baby in the nursery. Today in Halton, 82% to 84% of women choose to breastfeed, and at six months, 40% are continuing. These rates are above the national average. he "Halton Regional Health Department has been committed to breastfeeding for the last 10 years," explains Maureen Thorpe, nursing supervisor with the region. Some of the proâ€" grams provided by the Region include the Breastfeeding Connection, where mothers with nursing experience are matched up with new mothers to offer support. In addition, public health nursâ€" es are available to offer assistance and to educate doctors and nurses. There is also advice available over the phone; and for people needing more help than can be given over the phone, there is the Breastfeeding Centre. For expectant mothers, there is preâ€"natal breastfeeding education run by both the region and La Leche League. And in the future, Thorpe hopes a baby friendly space for nursing mothers will be available in malls and restaurants. Currently, Halton Region is negotiating with Oakville Place for such a place. "We want people to understand breastfeeding is anywhere, any place, any time," says Thorpe. This week, Aug. 5th to 7th, marks the fourth annual World Breastfeeding Week, and Thorpe says the theme this year is making sure the marketing of formulas and bottles is done ethically, according to a code set by the World Health Organization. For example, health professionals who give free samples to mothers and advertise formula are in violation of this code. Because the federal government has allowed formula companies to supervise themselves, bottles and formula continue to be displayed in posters and magazines. Breastfeeding â€" like most aspects of motherhood â€" was a learning experiâ€" ence for me, but has turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of being a mother. Amanda is now a happy, healthy sevenâ€"monthâ€"old, and the bond we share is truly amazing. Breastfeeding has become more than a means of proâ€" viding food. It is our private time; our time to relax, slow down, and just enjoy being together. It is special and even though Amanda won‘t remember nursâ€" ing, she will always benefit from the strong bond we‘ve created. For more information about La Leche League meetings, contact Lenore Kilmartin at 825â€"2352. To inquire about breasifeeding programs, call Health Line Halton at 825â€"6060. And I will forever cherish the memory of holding her close, watching her grow strong from my milk. Mon â€" Thurs: 1â€"8 PM Weekends: 11AM â€" 6PM _ MIDLAND WALWYN B L U E C HIP T H TN KING"* "BLUE CHIP THINKING is a tradeâ€" mark of Midland Walwyn Capital Inc. *Rates as of August 2/94 subject to change and availability.