As mothers, we are confronted with a wide variety of different and often controversial methods regarding health and parenting. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what we should or shouldn’t be doing, and everyone seems to have found at least one physician to back them up. A few of the most prevalent controversial topics include:
Breastfeeding
While it has long been agreed that breastfeeding is the best method of care for our newborns, we are often confronted with the issue of where breastfeeding should be allowed. Newborns need to be fed often, and no mother wants to stay cooped up for the first 6 months to a year of her child’s life simply due to breastfeeding. However, there has been a strong public stigma in much of the US against public breastfeeding.
In recent years, mothers have gained ground making public breastfeeding more acceptable, but it is still often uncomfortable for a mother to do so. Because breastfeeding and choosing where to do so are personal choices, a mother simply needs to decide what is best for her and her child. Breastfeeding is natural and simple modest measures can be taken so both feeding in the home and in public can be a comfortable experience for everyone.
Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood donation and banking has become a recent trend for mothers after giving birth. The blood found in umbilical cords is high in stem cells which are highly effective at treating leukemias, blood diseases, and cancers. To help other family members should they become ill, new mothers are choosing to bank their own cord blood.
Banking cord blood, however, can be costly, and some question whether the cost is worth the rare chance that you may need it. Regardless, it is an effective safeguard, and should be further investigated prior to giving birth to see if it is a good choice for your family.
Vaccinations
Perhaps the hottest recent topic has been that of whether or not to vaccinate our children. Parents are now becoming concerned that several vaccinations are no longer necessary, and are actually doing more harm than good – including increasing the likelihood of autism.
While polio and other devastating diseases have been eradicated within the last century, schools still require that children receive vaccinations before attending school. Parents against vaccinating have begun to protest schools that require such vaccinations, and parents for vaccinations have begun speaking out against parents whom they believe are endangering their children. Before you choose to vaccinate or to not vaccinate your children, be sure to read up on both sides of the argument to help you determine the best course of action for your child.
Invariably, all decisions regarding the above topics are a mother’s choice. We all have personal reasons for choosing to raise our children as we see fit – whether that means choosing to breastfeeding in public or choosing to forgo vaccinations. So even if you don’t agree with another parents’ decisions, as long as it doesn’t harm the child, remember to be respectful.
