Child Development and Public Health

Breast feeding is an important topic to me because I am trying to convince my daughter to breastfeed her son when he is born in a couple of months. I did not breastfeed my children, but after reading and listening to the reports about the benefits and positive outcomes of breastfeeding, I would like my daughter to consider utilizing this option. Breastfeeding can eliminate or decrease my grandson from infection, illnesses, and allergies. Breastfeeding is said to enhance his development and his intelligence. Not only would my grandchild benefit, my daughter can benefit by increased post-partum weight loss. Though breastfeeding is common in Africa, breastfeeding in public is forbidden for Egyptian women. In Ghana, breastfeeding is viewed as the purest and highly encouraged way to nurse and letting a baby cry in public makes onlookers suspect the baby is stolen. It seems that it does not matter how and when the infant is breastfed, it is still considered to be the best way to deliver nutrients to infants.

Bringing Life to Life

My personal experience with childbirth was a traumatic and enduring  experience during the first time. My daughter, first birth, took approximately 28 hours and I did not remember anything because I was under so much pain medication. I did remember the experience of actually birthing my daughter. I can remember being given directions by the nurses on how to push. The doctor only entered at the end when it was time for the baby to actually be born. The doctor was not very active during the birthing process. The nurses did most of the work. Yes, there was much medication involved. One significant activity that is traditional with childbirth in the US is allowing the father to cut the umbilical cord. The excess cord remaining on the baby is removed at home by applying Vaseline and alcohol. Through my reading on gurgle.com, a great deal of significance is placed on the umbilical cord in many countries around the world. In Turkey, the umbilical cord is traditionally kept in the house and in other countries, such as Indonesia, the cord is sometimes buried alongside a symbolic tree. This was very shocking to me because in the U.S., the umbilical cord is used to give the father a more active part in the birthing process. In those other countries, the umbilical cord holds a more significant value.

EDUC 6160: Early Childhood Development

I am embarking on another course that will enhance my knowledge level about the development of children. So far, this course is a challenge. Week One was a lot to get your feet wet with, considering that this is the second class. I am looking forward to the challenge and hope that the hard work pays off like it did for the first class.