August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month: Why is it Healthier?

August is breastfeeding awareness month. New moms looking to provide healthy nourishment for their baby may turn to breastfeeding as a wholesome option to feed their child. Unfortunately, this may not always be a choice for some mothers, and many who do choose to breastfeed their baby may also be met with an unsupportive response if done so in public.

Certain medical conditions can prevent a mother from breastfeeding her child or even using her breast milk. Hormone disorders, HIV, certain medications and other health issues can create a problem. Similarly, some women are unable to adequately produce enough breast milk to feed their child or their newborn may be unable to stomach their mother's milk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding can carry an added health benefit for the mother and her baby. Breastfeeding helps the mother burn extra calories and lose pregnancy weight faster, overall, while it also provides newborns with an essential mix of vitamins, protein and fat, that may not always be present in certain formulas.

For mothers who are unable to breastfeed, there are milk sharing programs. However, parents need to be certain that these sharing programs carry strict guidelines for admission and delivery. Previous studies have shown that in some cases, the milk may be unfit to drink because of the donor or due to certain carrying conditions. Findings have also shown that many contain high amounts of bacteria, according to NPR. 

For women who can and will decide to breastfeed their baby, certain stigmas still surround doing so in public.

The recent equality movement film "Free the Nipple," by Lina Esco, touches on the topic, in regard to female censorship in the United States and around the world. She notes, via the film's website, that it is illegal for a woman to be topless, breastfeeding included, in 35 states. Even in Louisiana, an exposed nipple for breastfeeding could land a woman in jail.

"When breastfeeding mothers go out to eat they are discreet and they should not be asked to move nor have negative comments made to them or to be asked to go to a restroom to breastfeed," said Malissa Sarver MS, RD, a registered dietician at King's Daughter's Ohio, via Portsmouth-Dailytimes.com. "That is supporting. That is the community helping that mother feel more confident in her choice and to feel at ease with what she is doing."

Sarver, like many other advocates, are pushing for greater acceptance of breastfeeding in public throughout the United States.