By Charles Anyiam-Osigwe
One of the greatest gifts a mother can give herself and her child is breastfeeding. Asides breast milk being nature-designed best diet for a baby, breastfeeding fosters a bond between momma and child that cannot be explained. She looks into her baby’s eyes most times while feeding the little bundle, she feels, touches and rock the cutie over and over again. And that baby coos and smiles back to momma; love unadulterated!
Many of us are used to seeing women with their boobs exposed to what they consider maximum cleavage – it is all in the name of style and fashion, of course. But, as we mark International Breast Feeding Week, one may ask: how many of these women will feel comfortable breast feeding their baby in public view? Since we are often given to staring at cleavages, do we also stare at the breasts of a lady feeding her baby in public, causing her to feel self conscious and embarrassed to the point that she feels uncomfortable breast feeding her baby in public?
Women should be encouraged to breastfeed their babies anywhere and everywhere, and not get stared at and embarrassed. These days, young breast-feeding mothers, to avoid being stared at often use breastfeeding garment to cover their breasts and the baby. As men, let us encourage women to breast feed their babies by not staring at them when they do so in public. She is feeding her baby, not flashing her boobs for any preying eyes. This is also to say that mothers should wear clothing that makes breastfeeding easier and comfortable; something easier to pull up or aside for a hungry baby without necessarily baring the body.
By the way, women should try to breast feed their babies for a minimum of six months. Every man should assure his beloved that whether or not her breasts droop; she is still the love of his life. Some women will not breast feed on the grounds that they do not want their boobs to droop as a result of breast-feeding. This then begs the question: are breasts just a thing of beauty? Are breasts sexual objects meant to be exposed to attract men? It is also worthy to note that age would take a toll on the breasts muscles eventually even if no baby suckled at it.
Baring any health reasons for not breastfeeding a baby, breastfeeding is one of the best starts a woman can give her child in life. It is nutritious, healthy and free.