Siletz news /, January 01, 2003, Page 19, Image 19

“Cha-may weeya ”
Medicine Talk
Siletz
Community
Health
Clinic
The History of Breastfeeding
The Siletz Clinic has a certified lactation counselor on staff during clinic hours.
As part of the Siletz Breastfeeding Circle, monthly articles will appear in
Siletz News regarding the social, environmental, financial, and health benefits
of breastfeeding.
Infants have been breastfed for thousands of years. Breastfeeding rates dropped
during the late 19,h and early 20th centuries. Nestle (the chocolate company)
manufactured and distributed its milk product throughout the U.S. and Europe in
the 1870s. At the turn of the century, medical researchers also began making
artificial milk. Breastfeeding no longer was the norm in America; infants could
be either breastfed or bottle-fed.
Social Changes
In the 1930s, more babies were delivered in hospitals with nurseries and the
advances in sterilization made it easy to bottle feed in the hospital and at home.
The formulas improved. Even the word “formula” implies a scientific method of
feeding. Eventually, mothers could make the formula at home when the mixing
instructions were placed on the container.
The dairy industry grew rapidly in the 1940s, leaving a huge surplus of whey
for the formula companies to use. This resulted in an exploding formula industry.
Artificial milk soon became a status symbol for those who could afford it.
Facilitating Breastfeeding
In the 1940s, more and more women began “rooming-in,” which increased
breastfeeding rates. In 1957, only 21 percent of babies discharged from hospitals
were breastfed and this continued for the next 40 years.
During the ‘70s and ‘80s, the movement to deliver in birthing centers and at
home began the promotion of natural methods over the overmedicated style of
perinatal health care.
The Siletz Breastfeeding Circle
Promoting and Protecting Breastfeeding
2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Housing Department Conference Room
Food and drink provided
For more information, contact Laura Duarte or Barbara Danna,
RN, at 541-444-9659 or 1-800-648-0449, ext. 659.
Sponsored by
Siletz Tribal
Diabetes Grant
In 1978, the Carter administration appointed a committee to draft the first “Goals
for the Nation.” One of these goals was to increase the incidence and duration of
breastfeeding. This same year, on an international level, the World Health
Organization (WHO) and UNICEF also began to address the need for protection and
promotion of breastfeeding.
In 1980, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued statements strongly
promoting breastfeeding.
In 1988, the Bush administration appointed a committee to develop national
health goals for the year 2000. One of these was to increase the breastfeeding of
newborns to 75 percent and to 50 percent for the first six months of life. America
has fallen short of these goals. The goals for 2010 are similar.
The 10 steps listed below were put forth internationally by the WHO and
UNICEF and became the cornerstone for “Baby Friendly Hospitals.”
Breastfeeding policies.
Train health care staff.
Educate pregnant women on the
benefits of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers start breastfeeding
within one hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain milk supply.
6. Give newborns no food or drink other than breast milk unless med­
ically indicated.
7. Rooming-in - mother and baby together 24 hours a day
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants.
10. Establish a breastfeeding support group.
1.
2.
3.
Next month’s article will include information on barriers to breastfeeding.
TPEP Presents Profiles on Quitting
Junior’s Story
by Junior John
My name is Junior John. I started smoking when 1 was 13 or 14 years old. I
guess I thought it was a big deal to smoke because everybody else was smoking
too. One time Dad said, “You’re going to burn our house down one of these
days,” so I started smoking in front of Mom and him. I was 18 years old then.
I moved to California in 1955 and smoked there for 26 years. I moved back to
Salem in 1981 and went to work for a
cannery. 1 had a job washing machines at
break times and lunch times. My cigarettes
got all wet one day, so I quit smoking for
about six months.
My first grandson was bom in January
1991, so I quit smoking again and haven’t
smoked for 11 years. I am 69 years old and
have been married to Jane for 47 years. I
quit cold turkey.
TPEP note: If you would like
to share your story, please contact
the Tobacco Prevention & Education
Program
at
541-444-1030
or
1-800-648-0449. What you share can
make a difference in someone else’s
life. Thank you.
January 2003 □
Siletz News
□
19