News Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Sara T. Pappa, Public Information
August 8, 2007 (937) 374-5662 or toll-free at 1(866) 858-3588
Greene County Combined Health District Announces
Winner of Breastfeeding Awareness Month Essay Contest
(Xenia, OH) Cyndi White, Fairborn, is the winner of the Breastfeeding Awareness Month essay contest sponsored by the WIC Program at the Greene County Combined Health District. The contest is part of the WIC Programs’ celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio during the month of August. Ms. White received a gift certificate donated by Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek for her winning essay. Breastfeeding Awareness Month is celebrated yearly in the state of Ohio to highlight the many benefits of breastfeeding for children, families and communities.
Here is Cyndi White’s winning essay:
I am privileged to be the mother of two wonderful boys: Liam, age 6, and Tobias, age 6 months. I breastfed Liam until he was 7 months old and am still and have since birth breastfed Tobias. As far as I am concerned, the benefits and joys of breastfeeding are almost too numerous to list. Of the many wonderful things about breastfeeding, my favorite parts are that breastfeeding gives me a sense of pride, it allows me to have a “special” time with my son, and it helps me to care for myself.
First, breastfeeding gives me a sense of pride. While formula is okay, everyone agrees that breast milk is best. Maybe it sounds cheesy, but knowing that I am giving my child the best nutrition that I can makes me feel good. This really comes in to play when you’ve just come home from the hospital with your new baby and feel nervous and unsure of yourself. Breastfeeding is what our bodies and babies are designed to do, so anyone can feel like a pro doing it. As you watch your new baby nurse, and hear him swallowing, you feel accomplished, knowing that in that milk is the best nutrients for your specific child.
Second, breastfeeding allows me to have a special time with my son. No matter what is going on or who might be visiting the baby, I have to stop and feed my son. That few minutes every 2 hours is the best part of my day. I get to hold my son close, I get to smell his sweet baby smell, and sometimes he holds my hand while he eats.
He almost always smiles at me before he latches on (unless he’s just too upset) and that sweet smile just melts my heart. I don’t really know what it would be like to have a new baby and not breastfeed, but I imagine that there would be times that I would be too busy to hold my son for 30 minutes every two hours, if it only took 5 minutes for him to eat his bottle. Maybe that’s one of the MANY amazing and wonderful things about breastfeeding – maybe it’s Mother Nature’s way of telling us how much “Mommy Time” our babies really need. Whenever Tobias comes home from spending the day with Grandma (eating breast milk from a bottle), he always wants to nurse, even if he’s not really hungry. I know it’s because he really just wants time close to Mom. I wouldn’t trade the special times I have spent feeding my sons for anything in the world!
Third, breastfeeding encourages my good health as well as my child’s. Not only does breastfeeding improve your child’s immune system, it promotes good health for moms, too. For one thing, breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract (which you can feel!), which helps it to go back into shape. Also, as a breastfeeding Mom you have to drink lots of water and get plenty of good nutrients, which is something that is good for everyone to do. As mother of a new baby it is hard to find anytime to take care of your own needs, but breastfeeding forces you to do some things for yourself, as they will affect your milk if you don’t. I believe I am a healthier woman because I have breastfed my children.
Some of my friends have breastfed and others have not. When I look at the happiest, healthiest children I know, I see that they were all breastfed. If a woman is physically able to breastfed, but has doubts about it, I would strongly recommend that they give it a try. Few things I have done in my life have given me as much satisfaction and joy with no expense and no training required. I have spent some time reading and learning about how breastfeeding works, and it truly amazes me. Our bodies know just what our babies’ need, and our breast milk is a special blend of all the things our individual baby requires. I am sure if babies could tell us what they think, the overwhelming majority would vote for breastfeeding!
Photo caption: Greene County Health Commissioner, Mark McDonnell with essay contest winner Cyndi White and her children, Liam and Tobias.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about breastfeeding, contact Nancy Cohen, RD, LD, IBCLC, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator at the Greene County Combined Health District: 374-5642 or toll-free 1-866-858-3588, extension 5642, or the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Helpers at 374-5600 or toll-free 1-866-858-3588.
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