Importance of Breastfeeding - Assignment Example

Introduction to maternity care Course code Student name Date Breastfeeding is recognized as the biological norm for human infants. Breastfeeding exclusively to six months and continuing for two or more years is recommended as the best start to life according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  With this statement in mind, respond to the following questions:  Why is breastfeeding important? How do women make decisions around infant feeding? What influences are recognized by the literature? How can women be supported to successfully initiate and establish breastfeeding? Introduction Breastfeeding is recognized as the biological norm for human infants. Breastfeeding exclusively to six months and continuing for two or more years is recommended as the best start to life according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is advisable to breastfeed an infant exclusively at least for the first six months. This practice has a number of benefits for both the mother and the child. Importance of breastfeeding Research has shown that breastfeeding benefits not only the child but the mother as well. The following are the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother: Facilitates the uterus returning to its pre-pregnant state at a much faster rate Helps the mother lose baby weight after giving birth Reduces the risk of certain types of cancer i.e. breast and ovarian cancer Lowers the risk of osteoporosis Mothers with gestational diabetes run a lower risk of developing Type II Diabetes (Queensland Government: Queensland Health, 2011) Breastfeeding is important for the baby because of a number of health reasons which affect the overall development of the child. Babies that are breastfed have a lower risk of the following illnesses: asthma, diabetes, obesity, allergies, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, cot death and gastrointestinal illness (Kennedy, Rivera, & McNeilly, 1989). In general, children that are breastfed have a stronger immune system and fall sick less often. In addition, breast milk is loaded with nutrients, some of which cannot be found in formula and other substituted modes of nutrition for infants. One main advantage of breastmilk is its ability to boost the immune system (Harder, Plagemann, & Harder (neé Klose), 2008). Breast milk changes to meet the each baby’s unique needs thereby making it the ideal source of nutrition to promote growth and development. Unlike infant formula, breastmilk is much easier to digest. Breastfed babies rarely experience constipation and have lower chances of suffering from diarrhea. In addition, breastmilk does not have any waste products and leaves no carbon footprint unlike infant formula and other forms of nutrition. Formula feeding, which is the substitute for breastfeeding has been linked to an increase in common childhood infections such as ear infections and diarrhea (Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US), 2011). Acute ear infection (otitis media) is one hundred percent higher in infants that are exclusively fed with formula compared to those that are exclusively breast-fed for the first six months. Other diseases that exclusively formula-fed infants are at a higher risk of contracting include erotizing enterocolitis (Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US), 2011). Psychosocial effects of breastfeeding also have a positive impact on both mother and child. The experience itself fosters a unique bonding opportunity between mother and child. Women that have chosen to breastfeed have largely been influenced by the psychosocial effects to keep doing so and the same has been reported of women that exclusively formula-fed their infants. The latter also recognize the strong bond that breast-feeding creates between mother and child. There are studies that also indicate that breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of the mother experiencing postpartum depression. This disorder not only affects the mother’s health but also that of the child as the mother lacks a desire to nurture and care for the child. However, research in this area is inconclusive (Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US), 2011) There are a number of economic effects associatd with breastfeeding which benefit the family. One benefit is that it helps the family save a significant amount of money since they do not budget fro formula. Better infant health translates to fewer claims on health insurance and the mother will take less time off work to care for the infant (Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US), 2011). A study carried out in 2007 found that if breastfeeding exclusively for atleast the first six months was done, ninety percent of the families would save thirteen billion dollas per year owing to reduced direct and indirect costs and thecost of premature death (Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US), 2011). Breastfeeding also has environmental effects as it is a natural food that is renewable. Increased exclusive breastfeeding would reduce the number of containers discarded each month that are used to package formula. For very one million babies that are formula-fed, approximately one hundred and fifty million containers of formula are used (Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US), 2011). That is enough to occupy a large part of a landfill. Plus, not all the containers are recyclable. Breastfeeding not only saves the child and benefits the mother but also helps to preserve the environment. How women make decisions about breastfeeding The decision of breastfeeding is one that has a significant impact on the health of both mother and child. It has been noted that a number of social perceptions influence the perception that new-born mothers have of breastfeeding. Depending on the society women are either repulsed by the idea of breastfeeding their infant children or do not regard it as a taboo. The government and other key stakeholders in society have however made it part of their agenda to encourage that women breastfeed their children owing to the health and economic benefits that are associated with this simple act. The belief in the superiority of breast feeding over formula feeding has been widely disseminated among the lay population (Murphy, 1999). Mass media is a powerful tool of communication that has a great impact of the perceptions of society concerning different practices. From a study conducted on a sample population, it was found that one women chose to breastfed based on the information they had gathered as well as the emotional support that they received from their partners and family. A number of reports have shown that American women breastfeed less often and over shorter periods contrary to the recommended conditions that are encouraged by public health bodies and health practitioners (Bylaska-Davies, 2011). In spite of the health benefits associated with breastfeeding, the number of women still opting for this method of offering nutrition is still low. Out of all the women that had opted to breastfeed only seventy six percent of mothers in the US chose to do so exclusively. When the infant was at 6months, the percentage reduced by over fifty percent (Bylaska-Davies, 2011). A study conducted in UK found that the decision to breast feed was influenced by the knowledge a woman gained after seeing breastfeeding as opposed to the theoretical knowledge (Hoddinott & Pill, 1999). Women that have been exposed to an environment where breastfeeding is encouraged tend to be more willing to do the same. As such, it is clear that the mere knowledge that breastfeeding is beneficial is not enough to prompt a woman to be willing to experience the same. Some of the reasons that breastfeeding is not so appealing to women are: Breastfeeding is associated with pain either because of using a breast pump or during the feeding process. This has a negative impact on the perception that women have towards breastfeeding The activity tends to take a significant amount of time and in some cases, the women have to schedule breastfeeding their children. Not all mothers are able to produce enough milk for the baby and require a substitute. Many opt to exclusively formula feed in such a case as they feel that they are not in a position to provide the degree of nutrition that the child needed. (Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, 2011) Influences recognized by literature The effects of breastfeeding have been well documented (Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, 2011). Breast milk is credited as being the ideal form of nutrition for an infant aged below a year. On the face of it, the exercise appears quite simple however this could not be further from the truth. Literature continues to be developed which shows that breastfeeding is not such a simple phenomenon. It is influenced by a number of factors: parental preference, social support, one’s employment status as well as one’s healthcare providers (Bylaska-Davies, 2011). Mass media is relied on by multiple public health stakeholders to increase public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding. The question that one must then consider is how do you address the group of women that opt to not breastfeed simply because they do not want to even though they are well aware of the positive effects on both the child and the mother? What of the young mother that has a job and has only gotten maternity leave for three months? What about the mother than is unable to breastfeed because of health complications? All these questions are valid and they are part of the reasons why the numbers of women who exclusively breastfeed are not increasing at a rapid pace (Mellin, Poplawski, Gole, & Mass, 2011). Other than socio-ecological factors, poverty is recognized as a major determinant of the perception that women have towards breastfeeding (Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, 2011). Poverty has been noted to influence the values, attitude and behavior of people that are living in such an economic state. Poverty is correlated with low achievement in health-related behaviors as well. Nutrition is also negatively influenced by poverty. Some of the reasons linked to reproduction include a lack of planning, goal setting, data gathering and analysis if information (Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, 2011). The culture of poverty encourages a microwave mentality where the skills mentioned above are not held in high regard. Such a woman is less likely to seek help if she experiences problems with breastfeeding (Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, 2011). Support systems for women to initiate and establish breastfeeding One of the most laudable support systems that is currently being developed is the world breastfeeding charter which seeks to create policies and laws that regulate breastfeeding (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, n.d.). The elevation of such a duty to a right is anticipated to increase the number of women that breastfeed infants. The charter focusses on three core areas: protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The community has a huge role to play in providing the support needed to encourage breastfeeding (Humphries, 2011). Health care facilities must own the responsibility to provide and maintain healthy care practices that are beneficial to both mother and child. This entails providing information that is accurate and satisfactory as well as offer good services to the mother. There is also a need to provide skilled practical help on how to breastfeed. This can be done by certified lactation consultants, trained health workers as well as counselors. The goal is to help mothers build their confidence and improve their feeding technique. The curriculum for health professionals should also include lactation physiology and breastfeeding (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, n.d.). Support groups are also a great way to encourage women to breastfeed, as they are an avenue where the women can share their experiences, encourage one another and learn techniques that can help them appreciate the breastfeeding experience. The family is also an important source of support and especially the partner. Many women avoid breastfeeding because their partner does not support them or they feel it will make them less attractive (Brown & Davies, 2014). So they opt to formula feed their children and this is prevalent even in cases where the mother is aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Research has proven that mothers that have a supportive partner that is encouraging are more likely to plan to breastfeed (Brown & Davies, 2014) and actually do so for a longer period. Higher levels of paternal support are connected with greater maternal confidence to breastfeed (Brown & Davies, 2014). It is imperative that a breast-feeding friendly environment exists at the home, the workplace and in public areas. A number of stories have been aired in the media of omen that were discriminated on for breastfeeding their child in public (Bylaska-Davies, 2011). This has a negative effect on the women as it creates the impression that breastfeeding is an act to be hidden and one that they cannot be proud of. This is the perception that many health care practitioners are desperately trying to change and it has proven to be an uphill task. Generally, health care practitioners and policy makers are on the right track as far as drumming up support for breastfeeding from the community through public awareness initiatives. It is hoped that with time, this will result in a U-turn in how majority of society perceives breastfeeding (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, n.d.). Conclusion Breastfeeding is an activity that was intended to ensure that an infant was able to have access to all the nutrients necessary for healthy development. Mother Nature has made it possible for every animal that procreates to offer a source of nutrition to their young ones and human beings are no different. It is sad that the statistics reflect such a negative perception of breastfeeding among women. More so, the great role that society and other factors such as the media, social values and poverty play proves that it is necessary to seek measures that seek to promote breastfeeding such that it is still the preferred option over and above the social perceptions, economic factors and healthcare facilities that a woman is able to access. A changed mindset in the society is necessary to generate a strong enough support system that can alter the negative perception of breastfeeding that currently pervades much of the United States and many other parts of the world. This calls for a revision of the values of the society as well as their perceptions as far as breastfeeding is concerned. Once this is achieved, it will be possible to have a shift in the numbers as more women are bound to be more comfortable with the practice and more confident to practice it. References Brown, A., & Davies, R. (2014). Fathers' experiences of supporting breastfeeding: challenges for breastfeeding promotion and education. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 510-526. Bylaska-Davies, P. (2011, June 29). The Role of the Mass Media in Women’s Infant Feeding Decisions. Retrieved from umassmed.edu: http://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=gsn_diss Harder, T., Plagemann, A., & Harder (neé Klose), A. (2008, June). Birth weight and subsequent risk of childhood primary brain tumors: A meta-analysis. Retrieved from researchgate.net: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anja_Harder_nee_Klose/publication/5275783_Birth_weight_and_subsequent_risk_of_childhood_primary_brain_tumors_a_meta-analysis/links/0f3175382fe48507fc000000.pdf Hoddinott, P., & Pill, R. (1999, January 2). Qualitative study of decisions about infant feeding among women in east end of London. Retrieved from bmj.com: http://www.bmj.com/content/318/7175/30 Humphries, J. M. (2011). Breastfeeding Promotion. American Journal of Nursing, 11. Kennedy, K. I., Rivera, R., & McNeilly, A. S. (1989). Consensus statement on the use of breastfeeding as a family planning method. Contraception, 477-496. Mellin, P. S., Poplawski, D. T., Gole, A., & Mass, S. B. (2011). Impact of a Formal Breastfeeding Education Program. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing -Feature Journal, April. Murphy, E. (1999). 'Breast is best': Infant feeding decisions and maternal deviance. Sociology of Health & Fitness, 187-208. Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US). (2011). The Importance of Breastfeeding. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK52687/ Queensland Government: Queensland Health. (2011, January 19). Importance of breastfeeding. Retrieved from health.qld.gov.au: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/breastfeeding/importance.asp Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. (2011, November). Factors that Influence Breastfeeding Initiation and Persistence in Ohio’s Appalachian Region. Retrieved from ohio.edu: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovichschool/upload/Breastfeeding-in-the-Ohio-Appalachian-Region.pdf World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. (n.d.). 99 action ideas to protect, promote and support breastfeeding! Retrieved from worldbreastfeedingcharter.info: http://www.worldbreastfeedingcharter.info/99%20Action%20Ideas.html Read More