Benefits of Breastfeeding - Research Paper Example

? A Literature Review on the Benefits of Breast Feeding A Literature Review on the Benefits of Breast Feeding Introduction In the developing countries, every year, 10 million children face mortality out of which 60% are thought of as preventable deaths. It is being said that by improving the existing breastfeeding practices, loss of approximately 1.3 million lives can be ensured on an annual basis. World Health Organization and NICEF’s joint efforts, namely the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding addresses the heart of this problem. It tries to protect the lives of these infants by reminding the world the importance of feeding a baby human milk. (Brown and Isaacs, 2007, p.166) Last few years have witnessed that people now are becoming increasingly aware of the need to change our lifestyles drastically in order to lessen the existing pressures on environment and the available stock of natural resources. One of the most ignored issues, with respect to the health of our mother nature, is probably breastfeeding. Breast milk is one such food item which is not only renewable natural resource and is highly beneficial for the child, but also non-polluting. It does not even require any other natural resources and can be directly fed to the child. On the contrary, the artificial baby food not only pollutes the environment but also depletes the existing stock of natural resources. Statistics show that every year, 1.5 million babies die because of it and many suffer from ill health. Therefore, whether a mother should breast feed her child or not is not only a lifestyle issue but a health, social and environmental issue. (Correa) Body section One: Importance of Breast Feeding This section describes the importance of breast feeding in ensuring the healthy development of the child. These articles enumerate that it is important for the mothers to breast feed their child help him grow healthily and also to reduce the medical cost of the family. If bottled milk is replaced by breast milk, this would also reduce the medical expenses of the families. In D Michels’s article titled “Mother Nature Loves Breast milk”, the author has stated “If every child in America were bottle-fed, almost 86,000 tons of tin would be needed to produce 550 million cans for one year’s worth of formula.” (Environmental Benefits of Breastfeeding, 2011) The problem with bottle feeding, other than the health issues, is that the bottles, nipples, silicon, glass etc. required for bottle feeding are resource-intensive and to make the matters shoddier, they often lead to non-recyclable and non-biodegradable end products. Moreover, tests have shown that many of the top brands of baby foods contain some genetically modified components. Even the cows, whose milk is used to prepare these artificial foods, are injected with growth hormones so that more milk is produced. Therefore, these growth hormones also find their way into these baby foods. Mother’s milk, on the other hand, are neither genetically modified nor contaminated by growth hormones, and is therefore healthier for the babies. Mother’s milk also gets absorbed more easily in comparison to formula, as a result of which lesser excretion takes place. (Environmental Benefits of Breastfeeding, 2011) Another matter of rising concern in today’s time is the rising cost of treatment. In the year 2009, the United States had spent around 17.6% of the GDP of the nation, which accounts to $2.5 trillion, on health care. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the authorities and government alike to curb this rising cost. In this light, the authorities have stressed on the importance of breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months and then continuing it for the next year or two as a part of healthy diet. This will reduce the risk of diseases for the lifetime of the children and also their mothers, as a result of which, a healthier society will emerge. (Gutowski, Walker & Chetwynd, 2010, pp.2-3) Body Section Two: The Nutrition Value of Breast Milk The articles in this section have enumerated the nutrition value of breast milk. It is specially composed of substances that help the baby to grow starting from its infancy. The articles also describe the other benefits that accrue to the child from feeding on his/her mother’s milk. The first breast milk called colostrums, which is thick and yellow in color, is full of nutrition and antibodies which secures the baby from a large range of diseases. At every feeding, the child gets a small percentage of colostrums which is in accordance with the optimal amount that the baby’s little stomach can contain. In the next 4-5 days, this colostrums transform into mature milk which contains the right proportions of fats, sugar, protein etc. that is essential for the growth of the baby. This milk is thinner than colostrums but it contains the optimal amount of all the nutrients required for the development of the baby. (Why Breastfeeding is important) According to Insel, Turner, and Ross (2009), breast milk provides the maximum nutrition for the growth and development and health of the baby. It can have no other substitute. Studies show that breast milk can cut down the incidence of “respiratory, gastrointestinal, and ear infections; allergies; diarrhea; and bacterial meningitis”. (Insel, Turner & Ross, 2009, p.537) Another study has shown that the children who have been breastfed for a longer period of time have higher levels of intelligence as grown-ups. Again, it is very important for the psychological development of the child to have a close bond with the mother (and father). Breastfeeding results in that nearness between the baby and the mother. Human milk does not need to be prepared i.e. heated or mixed. It is always available and ready for consumption and is therefore less problematic especially when the child is hungry. (Fredregill and Fredregill, 2010, p.12) Babies who have at least been breastfed for six months have stronger and better aligned teeth. A study conducted on 10,000 babies have shown that infants who had been breastfed needed orthodontia 40% less than children who have been raised on bottles. (Fine, Pearce & Fine, 2009, p.142) Body Section Three: Breast Feeding Reduces Infant Deaths This section highlights the role of breast milk in reducing the risk of infant mortality. The issue of infant deaths is a matter of concern in societies across the world. This section shows that babies regularly fed on breast milk are more healthy and have a lower chance of contracting infections. A large amount of German work published in 2009 points out the fact that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The researchers have concluded that if a child is exclusively breastfed for the first month, the chance of getting inflicted by SIDS goes down by 50%. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked mothers to feed their babies with breast milk for as long as possible in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. (Lauwers & Swisher, 2011, p.317) According to Doraine Bailey, breastfeeding also finds importance in reducing the risk of obesity. A report based on 61 studies including over 300000 participants has proven that breastfeeding reduces the risks of obesity and overweight. The best results have been seen where the child has been exclusively breastfed for a period of more than 3 months. (Bailey, 2007) A large research conducted by Oxford, Essex and York, along with the University College London, has shown that babies who have been breastfed have lesser behavioral problems in comparison to the ones who have been bottle fed. (Boseley, 2011) Body Section Four: Benefits of Breast Feeding to the Mother and the Society Subsection One: The Benefits of Breast Feeding to Mothers This subsection has described the benefits accruing to the mother because of breast feeding her child. Apart from helping the mothers to regain their original shape, breast feeding also helps to reduce the chances of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in the mother. Breastfeeding has many benefits for the mother as well. It can bring uterus back to the initial size as it can stimulate contraction of uterine. If, just after the delivery, the baby is breastfed by the mother, then as a result of these same uterine contractions, blood loss can be controlled. Even though more research and studies are needed on the subject but there are evidence to show that breastfeeding can lead to reduced chances of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Breastfeeding can even keep in check ovulation in many women. (Insel, Turner & Ross, 2009, p.538) Breast feeding can act as a natural means of contraception as well. Lactational amenorrhea, as studies show can render fairly good protection for the first six months with respect to pregnancy. Women who breastfeed their babies for a considerable duration may have as much as 98% guard against pregnancy. This helps in keeping a healthy gap between the birth of babies which is important for the health of both mother and the babies. (Littleton and Engebretson, 2002, p.968) The National Institute of Health has concluded, after going through more than 9000 study materials that the mothers, who do not breastfeed their children or have left breastfeeding early, are the ones who have higher risk of postpartum depression. Nursing provides relaxation to a large number of women because nursing triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes relaxation and nurturing. Higher amount of oxytocin in blood also keeps blood pressure in check. (How breastfeeding benefits you and your baby, 2010) During breastfeeding, the levels of the hormone Prolactin also increases in the mother’s body. This hormone promotes the feelings of motherly love and tenderness and can therefore decrease the chances of postpartum depression. (Black, et al, 1998, p.107) Breast feeding is effective from the point of view of cost saving as well. Baby food and feeding supplies involve a good cost depending on the appetite of the baby. Also, a formula fed baby is sick more often and this too involves cost. (Why Breastfeeding is important) Breastfeeding helps a mother in regaining her prior weight quickly as it helps burn calories. It also delays the return of the menstrual period which assists the body to retain iron. (Why breastfeed, 2010) Subsection Two: Benefits of Breast Feeding to the Society The article in this subsection focuses on the benefits available to the society at large, due to increased instances of breast feeding. A larger number of cases of breastfeeding have been found to generate many positive effects on the world economy. Breastfeeding also have positive impacts on reducing the world hunger level. If infants are breastfed then the resources saved out of this, i.e. money saved from not having to buy baby food, can be utilized by the other members of the family. As breastfeeding increases the birth intervals, the world population gets reduced, thereby making the limited resources available to fewer people. Breastfeeding has ecological benefits as well. Since breastfeed babies excrete less, a lesser number of diapers are required by them. The lactating ladies also do not require sanitary napkins because they do not menstruate for a longer duration of time. Waste of time and money, due to more visits to doctor and cost of treatment, etc. can be eliminated by concentrating on breastfeeding and not bottle feeding. (Black, et al, 1998, pp.110-111) Conclusion After the above discussion one might say that life in 21st century has become very fast paced and technology driven. Paucity of time compels people to adopt techniques which are time saving. Under such scenario even in vulnerable things such as child feeding suffers. As it has been pointed out that breast feeding has multiple advantages not only for the baby and the mother but also for the environment. However in most cases ignorance has been seen and most immediate consequence of this ignorance is adverse impact on the child’s health. Breast feeding also has its economic advantages as it not only satisfies the hunger of the child but as mentioned before the money that would have been spent on buying milk can now be put into alternative uses. Therefore, it can be seen that there are ample benefits to breastfeeding and therefore should be practiced more widely. References: 1) Bailey, D. (2007), Breastfeeding Fights Obesity, retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/9130DDE5-1806-4B89-B410-685F26556A96/0/ObesityNewsletter.pdf 2) Boseley, S. (2011), Breastfeeding leads to better behaviour in children, researchers claim, The Guardian, retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/may/09/breastfeeding-better-behaviour-children-research 3) Black, R. et al. (1998), The Support of Breastfeeding, Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning 4) Brown, J.E. and Isaacs, J.S. (2007). Nutrition through the life cycle, Stamford: Cengage Learning 5) Correa, W. (n.d.), Breastfeeding And The Environment, ecomall A Place to Help Save the Earth, Retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/mbr.htm 6) Environmental Benefits of Breastfeeding (2011), Boobie Fed, retrieved on October 20,2011 from: http://boobiefed.com/environmental-benefits-of-breastfeeding/ 7) Fine, J.L. Pearce, J.C. & Fine, D. (2009). The Art of Conscious Parenting: The natural Way to Give Birth, Bond With and Raise Healthy Children, United States: Inner Traditions/Bear & Co. 8) Fredregill, S. and Fredregill, R. (2010). The Everything Breastfeeding Book: The Helpful, Reassuring Advice and Practical Information You Need for a Comfortable and Confident Nursing Experience, Everything Books 9) Gutowski, J.L. Walker, M. & Chetwynd, E. (2010). Containing Health Care Costs Help in Plain Sight, USLCA, retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://www.uslca.org/documents/white%20Paper/Reimbursement_White_Paper.pdf 10) How breastfeeding benefits you and your baby (2010), baby centre, retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc 11) Insel, P. Turner, R.E. & Ross, D. (2009). Discovering Nutrition. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning 12) Lauwers, J. & Swisher, A. (2011). Counseling the nursing mother: a lactation consultant’s guide, Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Publishers 13) Littleton, L.Y. and Engebretson, J. (2002). Maternal, neonatal, and women’s health nursing, Volume 1, Stamford: Carnage Learning 14) Why breastfeeding is important (n.d.), womenshealth, retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/ 15) Why breastfeed (2010), healthy children, retrieved on Oct. 20,2011 from: http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/pages/WhyBreastfeed.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token Read More