I have no idea with other countries, perhaps I should research on this later, but in my country, the Philippines, since 1995, the last week of September each year is dedicated to the family, the Filipino family, for clarity. Although specifically, the celebration is a FAMILY WEEK, activities are spread over the entire month thus, sometimes the event is referred to as the Family Month. Organizers highlight the event with activities consistent with the main objective of strengthening the Filipino unity, solidarity and stability, in view of its socio-economic contribution to national development.
Among the many activities conducted for this event, the one that strikes me most is the premium placed on wellness of children particularly in the babyhood age. Perhaps, these could be measures undertaken to reverse the malnutrition situation in the country. One of the effective though simple measures is breastfeeding. In 2006, the Philippines, as reported by UNICEF, landed in the Guinness Book of World Records, when almost 4,000 mothers " along with their babies " have helped to set a world record for simultaneous breastfeeding beating the previous Guinness world record set by 1,135 women in Berkeley, California.
Why do I discuss about breastfeeding when I am supposed to tackle gifts for babies? Simple " I find breastfeeding the best first gift that a mother must and need to give her baby. I dont need to narrate the importance and the benefits of feeding the little angel from the breast of her own mother " there are millions of references on this readily available on the websites of medical and nutrition experts.
Besides, I am not an expert who can explain the specific vitamins, minerals, etc . that the breast milk offers " I will leave that to you childs pediatrician. What I know and greatly appreciate is that the act of breastfeeding promotes physical and emotional bond between a mother and a child. A special bond which grows beyond boundaries of time and age. Picture out a baby clothed in a mothers embrace while getting her sustenance from the mothers breast. Is it not awesome? Will you yourself not revel in the experience of caring for a baby in similar manner?
While we are on the subject of physical and emotional bond between a mother and her baby through breastfeeding, I am inspired to share with you a poem which although does not literally speak about breastfeeding, it universally captures the reasons why we must care for children. This is written by Mary Botham Howitt, and it goes:
God sent children for another purpose than merely to keep up the pace " to enlarge our hearts; and to make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affections; to give our souls higher aims; to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion; and to sing round our firesides bright faces, happy smiles and loving, tender hearts.
To mothers I say, whatever your circumstances, whether or not caring for a child led you to metamorphose into a woman with ill-fitting shirt and jeans - thanks to extra pounds gained or lose - remind yourself that these are just fleeting trappings of slipping into motherhood.
Just keep on holding your baby with her soft head a perfect fit under your chin, her tiny hands splayed out like small pink starfish against your arms, her wispy curls lifts with the breeze, and her face creased and rosy in the morning. Laugh at how the sunshine makes your baby sniff and squint " LAUGH OUT LOUD! - 30525
Among the many activities conducted for this event, the one that strikes me most is the premium placed on wellness of children particularly in the babyhood age. Perhaps, these could be measures undertaken to reverse the malnutrition situation in the country. One of the effective though simple measures is breastfeeding. In 2006, the Philippines, as reported by UNICEF, landed in the Guinness Book of World Records, when almost 4,000 mothers " along with their babies " have helped to set a world record for simultaneous breastfeeding beating the previous Guinness world record set by 1,135 women in Berkeley, California.
Why do I discuss about breastfeeding when I am supposed to tackle gifts for babies? Simple " I find breastfeeding the best first gift that a mother must and need to give her baby. I dont need to narrate the importance and the benefits of feeding the little angel from the breast of her own mother " there are millions of references on this readily available on the websites of medical and nutrition experts.
Besides, I am not an expert who can explain the specific vitamins, minerals, etc . that the breast milk offers " I will leave that to you childs pediatrician. What I know and greatly appreciate is that the act of breastfeeding promotes physical and emotional bond between a mother and a child. A special bond which grows beyond boundaries of time and age. Picture out a baby clothed in a mothers embrace while getting her sustenance from the mothers breast. Is it not awesome? Will you yourself not revel in the experience of caring for a baby in similar manner?
While we are on the subject of physical and emotional bond between a mother and her baby through breastfeeding, I am inspired to share with you a poem which although does not literally speak about breastfeeding, it universally captures the reasons why we must care for children. This is written by Mary Botham Howitt, and it goes:
God sent children for another purpose than merely to keep up the pace " to enlarge our hearts; and to make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affections; to give our souls higher aims; to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion; and to sing round our firesides bright faces, happy smiles and loving, tender hearts.
To mothers I say, whatever your circumstances, whether or not caring for a child led you to metamorphose into a woman with ill-fitting shirt and jeans - thanks to extra pounds gained or lose - remind yourself that these are just fleeting trappings of slipping into motherhood.
Just keep on holding your baby with her soft head a perfect fit under your chin, her tiny hands splayed out like small pink starfish against your arms, her wispy curls lifts with the breeze, and her face creased and rosy in the morning. Laugh at how the sunshine makes your baby sniff and squint " LAUGH OUT LOUD! - 30525
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