A great way to feel comfortable in your own parenting style is to educate yourself on hot topic items, and to practice talking about your parenting choices. By hearing yourself state how you will be parenting and what you want for your child, you will become more confident in your choices. A few of the most popular topics include:
Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding
Breastfeeding has received a great deal of publicity in recent years. Women have been advocating for themselves so that they may breastfeed in public, and have been raising even more awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is very healthy for most mothers and children. Breast milk provides antibodies to infants to help them fight germs, illness, and even SIDS, and is full of a variety of nutrients that support strong brain, muscle, and skeletal development.
Numerous studies have shown that breast milk does provide better nutrition; however, that doesn’t mean that if a mother isn’t breastfeeding she is being neglectful. Studies have also shown that breastfeeding doesn’t come natural for all mothers, and some find it incredibly painful or struggle with getting their child to latch. With advancements in research surrounding breast milk, manufacturers of formula have been able to create formulas with several nutrients that also support strong brain, muscle, and skeletal development. While formula may not provide the same antibodies that breast milk does, it does provide great nutrition that babies can still benefit from.
Genetic testing vs. limited screening
Any physician or midwife will perform a preliminary form of screening to make sure that a child in the womb is appearing normal. A screening usually just gives an overview of a child’s health and well being. It is usually not a highly accurate test. A screening is followed by a diagnostic test if the screening results come back as abnormal.
Prenatal genetic testing is a more specific in determining whether or not a child has a particular genetic abnormality. Prenatal genetic tests range from the highly invasive amniocentesis to the noninvasive prenatal DNA screening tests, which only require a blood sample. Noninvasive prenatal DNA tests often look for chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomies. Trisomies result from chromosomes not replicating properly, and trisomies 21, 18, and 13 are the most common. By determining in advance if a child will be born with a chromosomal abnormality, parents have the additional time needed to seek out additional resources and tools, as well as education, to make their parenting more successful.
Home birth vs. hospital birth
Hospital births are the standard when it comes to birth. Many women find the hospital setting provides them with the security they want and offers comforts, such as epidurals, that they may not be able to have in a home birth. Women who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies should consider having a hospital birth, as additional medical support is standing by.
Home births facilitated by midwives have become increasingly popular in recent years. Healthy women who don’t wish to deliver in a hospital setting often choose a home birth because of the level of comfort it provides and because they feel more in control of their birthing experience. Home births are often less expensive than hospital births, and average $3,000 with all prenatal care included. Those interested in choosing a home birth should seek out licensed midwives to perform their births, as these individuals have advanced training and have served as an apprentice prior to beginning practice on their own.
Motherhood should be your experience, not everyone else’s. There is more than one way to raise a child, and most ways have studies to support why you should raise your child in such a manner. Your friends, siblings, parents, and relatives will also have varying opinions on how you should raise your child. However, parenthood should be your own journey. As long as the safety and health of your child are your priorities, you can choose to parent in the ways that you are most comfortable with.
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