Breast Feeding - The importance, Exclusive Breast feeding, Health Implications
Our individual abilities to stand the test of time as we grow physiologically depends on how our mothers were able to breast feed us in first
year in our infant life. The way our bodies resist the attacks of
sickness and diseases depends to a large extent on how long we were fed with the breast milk as infants.
The importance of breast feeding to a Child
Breast-feeding is an important and natural way of feeding a newborn baby. The mother starts feeding the baby shortly after delivery. Though it
takes sometimes before the breast milk starts flowing, the moment the mouth of the baby touches the nipple of the mother, milks starts to flow.
Milk secretion is controlled by hormones.
Adequate breast-feeding of a child is very important to his or her well being, both in growth and development. A well breast fed
baby has less tendency of being obese. Breast-feeding encourages and increases bonding between mother and her baby. Breast milk sterile and is
balanced for the baby’s consumption. It supplies the baby with the substance that protect against infections. It is more convenient for the
mother to prepare. Breast-feeding cost less. It provides cellular immunity. It supports both physical and mental development of infants as well
as mother’s health.
However, breast-feeding is without disadvantages. A baby can suffocate under a big breast if a nursing mother decides to lie down and breast
feed her baby. There could be vomiting as a result of milk entering a wrong track ( that is the air way ). These are preventable by observing
good techniques of breast feeding act.
“Exclusive Breast Feeding” What is it?
This is the act of breast feeding a newborn baby without introduction supplementary and complementary foods. The baby is only fed with breast
milk. The World Health Organization ( WHO ) introduced the concept of friendly Hospital with started steps to a better breast feeding culture in
the year 1991AD. Breast feeding starts immediately or shortly after child’s birth. Proper breast feeding of a child constitutes the mother being
healthy, baby properly positioned between mother’s laps and the breasts.
Economic and Social Factors Affecting Breast Feeding
This depends upon and is conditional to individual mother. If a nursing mother is full time house wife, she can breast feed the baby up to two
years. If she is a career or professional woman, or in paid employment or very busy-like person occupationally, the majority of this class
breast feed for the first six months and supplement with infant formula. No matter the status it is ideal for a nursing mother to breast feed
her baby adequately longer because of long run effects a well fed baby enjoys as he or she grows and develops in life. Adequate breast feeding
reduces breast cancer chances.
Breast feeding And Health Implications in a Sick mother: controversy
A mother can breast her child when sick. Even when she is HIV positive, she can breast feed but must be placed on antiretroviral therapy, so as
to reduce or give the baby more viral load, hence less danger. This is the latest discovery and knowledge. If a mother has breast lump or cancer
she suffers pains but not the baby. If a breast feeding mother has low blood level and poor eating habit, it affects her and her baby. There is
a dilemma facing HIV positive mothers especially those who do not have access to safe water supply, enough income, food safety or ensured
child’s nutrition.
Experts on breast feeding and HIV transmission suggest that infants’ chance of survival is greater if fed artificially. The Latest
UN policy statements on HIV and infant feeding, was issued in 2001, following an expert consultation on mother –to-child transmission of HIV
weighing the rule of breast feeding and replacement feeding.
Though studies and researches are in progress to give a better understanding of the mechanism, timing and risk vertical transmission
programs need to expand coverage and provide mothers with adequate information, guidance and support that allow them choose and adhere to the
safest infant feeding strategy for their situation.
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