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A mother's bond: Benton mom cited in effort to honor breastfeeding |
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Tuesday, 13 May 2008 |
A Benton mother says there’s no other bond like the one created when a mother breastfeeds her child.
Christi Finn Bowen made the comment when she was recognized this week by the Saline County Health Department in a statewide effort to honor breastfeeding mothers and encourage others to do so.
Slade, 2, is Bowen’s only child. Her physician was not supportive of her desire to breastfeed, she said. Other new mothers might have been discouraged, but Bowen was visited and encouraged by a lactation specialist in the hospital.
She was referred to the health department, where she received a pump and support from the staff.
Bowen breastfed Slade exclusively for the first five months, then continued to breastfeed along with solid food over the next four months.
“The best part of being a new mom is the bond created through breastfeeding and knowing you are doing the best for your baby,” Bowen said.
Eydie Abercrombie, Saline County Health Department administrator said, “We honor Christie’s dedication to breastfeeding and thank her for making a difference in her child’s health. Breastfeeding moms across the state can ultimately make a difference for future health in Arkansas.”
Abercrombie shared some health information that asserts there is no better food for a baby’s first year of life than breast milk. What and how babies are fed in the early months of life can impact the later heath individuals, communities and the nation.
Like the local health department honored Bowen, the Arkansas Department of Health Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is recognizing mothers across the state this month for giving breastfeeding a try.
According to the Centers for Disease Control immunization survey in 2004, the national breastfeeding rate was 73.8 percent. In that same report for Arkansas the breastfeeding rate was 59.2 percent. Among women in the Arkansas WIC program and according to the 2006 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System report, the breastfeeding rate only was 45.2 percent in 2003.
Lack of support from family, friends and community is a reason women don’t breastfeed, according to the Health Department. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers may obtain information and support from various community resources, including the county health department, hospital and physicians’ offices, other mothers and La Leche League leaders.
The county health department may be reached at 303-5650.
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