INTRODUCTION
According to UNICEF 2012 data, Pneumonia is the single largest killer of children under age 5 worldwide and the leading infectious cause of childhood mortality. It also accounts for 17 per cent of all under-five deaths and killed 3,000 children a day in 2012 (1.1 million that year). Most of its victims were less than 2 years old. On the other hand, diarrhea is also ascribed a leading killer of children, which accounts for 9 per cent of all deaths among children under age 5 worldwide. This translated into 1,600 young children dying each day, or more than 580,000 children a year. The bulk of this mind blowing statistics occur among children less than 2 years of age living in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Many studies have investigated
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In the first years of life, breastfeeding can reduce hospital admissions for acute lower respiratory infections. Exclusive breastfeeding also has a protective effect on hospitalization for pneumonia, especially in the first 3 months of life; also improves the outcome of acute diarrhea by reducing the number and volume of diarrheal …show more content…
This practice may be a contributing factor to the incidence of interest. Judging from literature, the effect of socio-economic status, maternal education and cultural practices has a huge impact on the general health outcome of children in developing countries. A huge percentage of death from diarrheal and pneumonia morbidity are often attributed to families with poor income as they are more likely to live in poor sanitary conditions; also inability to afford medical care13. It is also note-worthy that the protective effect of breast feeding within 24 hours after birth could be ascribed to high colostrum level which is fortified with a lot of immunologic components14. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) which is a soluble pattern recognition receptor involved in the initiation of protective responses against selected pathogens, is a constituent of colostrum and very vital for the initial innate immune response in children; thus protective against morbidities11
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
Since the beginning of time women have breast fed their infants. Although modern science has developed infant formula, doctors and nurses still recommend women feed their infants breast milk. Breastfeeding increases bonding time between mother and baby and decreases cancer in women. It is hypothesized that breast milk significantly improves babies health and cognitive functioning. Breast feeding is frequently researched and there are multiple sources that cite its benefits.
It is shown that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the less likely they are to develop these health issues (Godfrey, Lawrence 1598).
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 the prefect way that providing ideal food for healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an important component part of the reproductive process for the health of mothers (WHO, 2002). Breastfeeding has benefits not only for both mother and baby in health and family finance but also for society. The chance of disease such as type 2 diabetes, breast cancer ovarian cancer and postpartum depression would be decreased if mother breastfeed their babies. And babies would have a lower risk to get necrotizing enterocolitis, lower respiratory infections, asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes. In poor family, breastfeeding can save the cost of formula milk and health care. For society, if 90 percent of mothers breastfeed their babies for 6 months, 1000 deaths of infants will be prevented. For environment, the amount of rubbish would be decreased due to the less of formula can and bottle.
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)
Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the complete form of nutrition for infants with a range of benefits for infants’ health, growth, immunity and development (Breastfeeding- Natural Is Best). All these factors can decrease Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS) and mortality. In serval meta-analyses babies that are breastfeed have a 36% decrease in the risk of SIDS. According to The Lives Saved Tool, an estimated 823,000 yearly deaths would be saved if breastfeeding was scaled up to universal levels. Disorders like necrotizing enterocolitis, that has a high case-fatality, showed a 58% decrease with breastfeeding (Victoria, Cesar G, et all.).
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
In 2010, there were 7.7 million child deaths under age 5 (3.1 million being deaths in neonates). Disease from infection accounts for 68% of those deaths, with pneumonia making up 18%, diarrhoea contributing 15%. (Yarnell)
Since most illnesses are caused by viruses that are most contagious before you even realize you are sick, your baby has already been exposed before you even develop symptoms (such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, runny nose, cough, etc). Continuing to breastfeed will help protect your baby from the infection, because your body produces antibodies to the specific organism that is causing the infection, and you pass them on to the baby in your breast milk. Often, a breastfed baby will be the only member of the family who doesn’t get sick. If
Nursing accommodation is healthier for children both physically and emotionally. Breastmilk contains antibodies to help infants fight off viruses and bacterial. Carole Anderson Lucia wrote the article 20 Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom and Baby, says breastfeeding helps to lower the rate of SID, sudden infant deaths. She also suggests that the mother’s milk helps their offspring to have healthier bones. With the health of a child hanging in the balance there is no doubt that accommodations for nursing mothers should be in
Later, Dr. G.P. Davidson and co-investigators at the Gastroenterology Unit, Adelaide Medical Centre for Women and Children, South Australia, conducted an experiment to determine the effect of colostrum on children between 3 and 15 years old. It was observed that none of the children, who were given a regular dose of colostrum, were affected by any diseases. On the other hand, many of the children who had not consumed colostrum were affected by rotavirus, the world's most common pediatric intestinal disease that causes childhood diarrhea.
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
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