Breastfeeding among Low-Income Mothers
Introduction
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a mother breastfeeds during her child’s first 6 months of life. After 6 months, the AAP advises that a mother should continue breastfeeding while incorporating solid foods into the baby’s diet. This nutritional combination should continue until the child is at least 1 year old (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012). Additionally, the United States Surgeon General acknowledges the health benefits of breastfeeding and urges a culture of support (U.S. Surgeon General, 2011). According to the Surgeon General, breastfeeding is highly effective in preventing various diseases, infections, and illnesses (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011a). Breast Milk is Nourishing
An exclusively breastfeeding mother’s mammary glands produce a total of approximately 750 mL of milk per day. Synthesized from substances in the mother’s blood, breast milk contains all necessary nutrients for a baby’s healthy development. For example, human breast milk consists of a specific combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Additional milk components include minerals, electrolytes, and water. The nutrient concentrations fluctuate as lactogenesis progresses. Changes in milk composition and volume are controlled by multiple hormones, including cortisol, insulin, and prolactin. Along with composition, the volume of produced milk changes throughout lactogenesis. The
Studies have shown that breastfeeding has numerous benefits for mother and baby, including reducing the risk of common childhood infection such as ear, respiratory and urinary tract infections in infants. The protective antibodies found in breast milk helps to combat common infections that often leads to missed days at work and translates into lost productivity. In addition, breastfeeding has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of obesity in breastfed children verse children that were not breastfed. Breastfeeding also helps to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers and osteoporosis in women that breastfeed. The current recommendation from the American Academy of
Studies have shown that breastfeeding has numerous benefits for mother and baby, including reducing the risk of common childhood infections. The protective antibodies found in breast milk helps to combat common infections that often leads to missed days from work and translates into lost productivity. In addition, breastfeeding has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of obesity in breastfed children verse children that were not breastfed. Breastfeeding also helps to
incidences of diabetes and cancer. Furthermore, it can lessen the risk of childhood obesity; which
Breastfeeding is one of the best methods for providing infants with a healthy start to life. Breast milk helps the body fight off various bacteria and viruses that one’s child might be at risk for catching. Breastfed babies are thirty-six percent less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome and are fifty-five percent likely to become obese later in life, compared to babies who are not breastfeed. (Workplace and Public Accommodations for Nursing Mothers, 2016) Not only is the child benefiting from breastfeeding, the mother is as well. Women who breastfeed are more likely to revert to their
Breastfeeding is a great way to ensure babies have a healthy head start to life! For optimal growth and development, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life and with complementary foods until age two or until both mother and baby are ready to wean (1).
Department of Health and Human Services showed that breastfeeding rates are significantly lower for African American infants (Lowe, 2011). In addition, Eidelman and Schanler (2012) claim that 72% of Caucasian women breastfeed at birth and 53 % of them continue to breastfeed for 6 months. Likewise, 73% of Hispanic women breastfeed at birth and 36 % of them continue to breastfeed for 6 months. However, only 53% of African American women breastfeed at birth and 27% of them continue to breastfeed for 6 months. Healthy People 2020 stresses the importance of breastfeeding at birth and continues breastfeeding for 6 months, even up to 1 to 2 years of age (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Globally, less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. Breast milk not only has disease fighting substances to protect your baby from illnesses, but it also is pack full of all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life, and to continue for as long as the mother and baby are willing and able. Breastfeeding is not only beneficial to your baby, but also yourself. Breastfeeding is by far the best feeding option for your baby.
Breastfeeding provides unique nutrients for the baby, protects from disease, has health benefits for the mother, and provides a unique bond between mother and baby.
Whether to breastfeed or to formula feed is one of the many decisions parents have to make when caring for a newborn baby. The decision may seem simple in which parents base there decision on comfort, convenience and finance but little do most parents know the decision being made can have damaging long term effects than that of the present. There is plenty of research that state the significance of breastfeeding that go far beyond the extent of bonding between mother and newborn. Although, that too is important. Breast milk is known to contain antibodies which can help the newborn in developing a strong immune system which influence all the body systems. Research has shown that breast-milk can help prevent long term diseases such as
Breast-feeding is nutritionally, emotionally and physically superior for a mother and her child. “Human breast milk is not standard nor is it interchangeable with cow’s milk. It is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition to meet the needs of the baby as it grows” (“Giving your Baby... Diet.” par. #10). Breast milk contains growth factors and antibodies which stimulate the growing baby and protect it from illness such as diarrhea, ear infections, rashes, allergies, asthma, skin problems, pneumonia, respiratory illness and other serious illnesses. Breast-feeding also improves a baby’s chance of remaining healthy. These antibodies are not found in formula. They can not be sustained. Breast-fed babies are also neurodevelopmentally more
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,” breastfeeding should be continued for the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually
The first years of life are the most crucial years for brain, immune system and overall physiological development. This is why, it is extremely important to achieve optimal nutrition standards in these early years. Studies have shown that having optimum nutrition in infancy can lead to profound benefits throughout the lifespan of the person. Breastfeeding is extensively recommended, as the best way to achieve the
The American Academy of Pediatrics in New Mother 's Guide to Breastfeeding, 2nd Edition states, “Breastfeeding
Any infant enters the world completely relying on their mother, whether it’s to provide security, comfort, or their first meal. Breastfeeding, although pretty self-explanatory, is the act of a woman feeding a baby with milk from her breast. It is recommended that a baby be breastfed for the first time within an hour of their birth and exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life (Belsky, 2012). However, there is a stigma attached to breastfeeding in some areas of the world, especially the United States, so a common alternative is formula. There are many benefits not only the infant can gain from being breastfed, but also benefits the mother can obtain from providing this nutrition for her child. This paper will discuss
I am able to present this information to you because I have over two years experience, have read numerous books, and I have even attended a breastfeeding nutrition class.