Empirical Examination Of Breastfeeding And Physical Engagement

The audience intended for this paper are mothers that have a desire to breastfeed, employers, clinicians, breastfeeding advocacy groups and federal and state legislators involved in policy change.

It is hard to understand the social and medical impact of breastfeeding; however it raises IQ by up to ten points and it decreases chances of cancers and obesity later in life that has the potential to save billions of dollars in health care. It is better and makes more sense to focus on the larger issues that needs attention and public outcry than to waste money, resources, newspaper and media time and legislative actions on the issue of breastfeeding in

The natural process of breastfeeding is the most beneficial for the baby and many studies have concluded that breastfeeding boosts chances of success. In Brazil, a group of doctors took on a project to see if there was a difference from a breastfed child and a formula fed one. These doctors randomly picked out more than 3,000 babies and studied them from the time they were born until they turned thirty years old (Breast-Feeding). Once these babies reach thirty, they were given an IQ test that concluded, “the subjects who were breast-fed for 12 months or more had a higher IQ than those who were breast-fed for less than one month. The difference in IQ was 3.76 points” (Horta). Not only does breastfeeding have an

It is shown that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the less likely they are to develop these health issues (Godfrey, Lawrence 1598).

Breastfeeding protects babies against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as sepsis in pre-term babies. Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight off infections like otitis media and respiratory problems like meningitis and bronchitis. It has been found to reduce the incidence and intensity of atopic diseases. Babies who breastfeed tend to suffer from colds less frequently and have fewer incidents of colic. (Davis)

Another incomparable benefit of breastfeeding is your baby’s intelligence. Studies show that exclusive breastfeeding is directly related to improving cognitive development. That’s right, breast milk can actually make your baby smarter! I’m not saying formula can in any way make your child dumb, I’m just saying if you want to give your child a boost that you are fully capable of doing so. Studies show that breast fed babies

Breast feeding has been associated with the neurodevelopment of an infant. According to Stuebe and Schwarz (2011), studies shown that breast-fed and formula fed-infants produced evidence of developmental differences. For example, infants who didn’t exclusively breast feed until 6 months of age crawled later and were less like to walk than the infants were exclusively breast-fed. Also, formula fed-infants had IQ scores that were 7.5 points lower when they were at age 6.5. From this study, only basic information is such as walking and IQ score shown at a grade school age is seen it is hard not to see what the picture would be life if the trend of a slower neurodevelopment continues into the later years of a child. A child who will be lacking in this department can hinder growth in many areas such as motor skills. Showing a decline in IQ scores can also delay a child in succeeding academically future in life. These two factors alone can affect other areas of life. Knowing these facts as a parent would be beneficial. As parents, you would want the best for your child and want to give them the best opportunity possible. The missing link between breast milk and formula milk is long-chain poly unsaturated fatty acids which is said to

Brain processing is also faster (Georgieff, par. 23). “The Journal of the American Medical Association, reported that adults who as babies were breast-fed for seven months had higher IQ’s than those who were breast-fed for two weeks or less. A direct link may not exist between breast-fed babies and higher IQ’s, but a correlation, between the amount of time that a mother spends breast-feeding and the amount of time she will spend with her child as he grows up is defiantly indicated. If a mother is willing to devote herself to being the sole provider of food for her baby when he is young then perhaps she will spend more time one on one with him as he grows (Gupta, par. # 2&7). “One oft-cited advantage of breast-feeding is the bond it promotes between mother and baby.” (“Giving your Baby...Diet.” par. #10) “Nursing is a valuable source of security and comfort for your baby... Your and your baby comfort each other. Your baby regularly needs your breast milk and physical closeness and your full breasts regularly need to be emptied. Breast-feeding develops an intimate relationship that can deepen the bond between you and your baby” (Neifert, par #6).

Nutritionally, breastfeeding provides specific antibodies which help to prevent infant and childhood diseases. Diseases such as RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection) and Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus are serious diseases in infants which can lead to death (Riordan 1997). Breastfeeding is a natural immunization for infants and mothers, decreasing risks such as pneumonia, SIDS, and childhood obesity in infants. Mothers decrease their risk for breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and weight gain (Stuebe 2009). Just as diseases can be immune from breast milk, breastmilk also aids in brain development. In “Breastfeeding benefits babies’ brains”, Stacey states, “babies who had

Researched Evidence that Identifies Benefits of Breastfeeding to the Child, the Mother, and the Entire Family

“Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers” Statement taken from the world health organization publication on the nutrition of exclusive breastfeeding.

There is a wide array of benefits as a result of breastfeeding that specifically help a child survive and develop from the time they are born and throughout all stages of life. The more recognized and examined benefits during infancy and toddlerhood include, but are not limited to, increased intelligence, decreased risk of getting ear infections, lowered risk of Sudden Infant Death syndrome, better resistance to common illnesses and allergies (stronger immune system), lower risk for childhood onset diabetes, lower risk for asthma and eczema, increased cognitive development, higher IQ, and increased social maturity.

In December 1997 the American Academy of Pediatrics issued its most aggressive statement to due urging mothers to breastfeed for at least a year and beyond “for as long as mutually desired.” Mother’s milk alone provides all the nutrients necessary for a baby’s physical and mental development for at least at least six months, with the added benefit of natural immunity against numerous diseases. In Milk, Money and Madness: The Culture and Politics of Breastfeeding, Naomi Baumslag, MD, MPD, asserts that “breastfed babies also have lower incidence of allergies, urinary tract infections, obesity, learning, behavioral and psychological problems, later-life heart disease, pneumonia, neonatal sepis, and giardia

Statistical Product and Service Solutions for Windows (SPSS) 12.0 software package and SAS 8.0 software. SPSS 12.0 was used for all statistical analysis except linear regression which used SAS 8.0.

Both my daughters have been breast feed almost up two years of age and even though we had some problems with sleeping for the older one, she just did not want to sleep, we would consider her start of her life a harmonized and fairly normal upbringing. She is now almost 17 years old and I thought it would be a good way to compare real life of hers to what would have become of her development if some of the important needs that the theories are urging for would not have