“No one is saying that you have to breastfeed,” she underscored. “Saying that it is the best choice for babies is only the truth.”
Aquilina added that “we Americans do not like people 'telling us what to do'” or being made “to 'feel guilty.' However, breastfeeding is what is best for baby.”
Kippley agreed that breastfeeding is the best option for babies and not only in regard to fighting childhood obesity.
“Michelle Obama is well-advised to promote breastfeeding in order to prevent obesity, but that is only one of many benefits,” she said. “What is most interesting is that many of the benefits for both mother and baby occur many years after the breastfeeding has ceased.”
According to Kippley, babies who breastfeed experience an overall reduction throughout their lives in conditions such as asthma, diabetes, leukemia, allergies, lymphoma and bacterial meningitis. Breastfed children also have a better immune system, increased response to vaccinations, fewer sick days and score higher on cognitive and IQ tests at school age.
“If all mothers world-wide would exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months, one and a half million babies’ lives would be saved each year,” Kippley said.
Despite the documented benefits of breastfeeding, however, Aquilina noted that the cultural climate in the U.S. “makes it difficult for moms.” She observed that breastfeeding “is not well supported by doctors or employers” and that mothers “feel afraid to nurse in public.”
“We would have a healthier society if all mothers at least tried to breastfeed and if our society supported that decision,” Kippley concurred, lamenting the lack of encouragement for it on a local level.
“How many bishops, priests, parishes, pro-life groups and Catholic doctors promote exclusive breastfeeding?” she asked, noting the need for breastfeeding mothers to be supported at
Mass and other Church events.
Kippley also said that Church “has a unique opportunity to increase the physical and emotional health of babies and mothers alike” through its pre-marriage programs. Kippley said that if every diocese required engaged couples to attend Natural Family Planning courses that address the benefits of breastfeeding, the practice “would be increased considerably.”
Marianne is a journalist with a background in writing and Catholic theology. When not elaborating on the cinematic arts, she enjoys spending time with people, reading thick books and traveling anywhere and everywhere.