Public Health

Public Health ~

Breast feeding 

Why should you breast feed? Breast milk is sometimes called liquid gold. This is called liquid gold because the colostrum  is the thick yellow. It is the first breast milk that the body make during pregnancy and just after birth. 

This milk is nutrient rich and the antibodies protect the baby.The  baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding,but their tiny stomach can hold about a size of a walnut. 

The breast milk changes as the baby grows. The colostrum changes into what is called " mature milk". By day three to day five the mature milk  fat, sugar, water, and protein in it. This will help the baby to develop and grow.

Breast milk is easier to digest . For most babies, especially premature babies,formula is harsh for premature babies so  breast milk is easier for them to digest. The formula is made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs.

Breast milk fights disease in the baby and the antibodies that the breast milk produces helps to protect against certain illness. Formula has tried but it can not reproduce equal to breast milk. There is a lot of reports of formula fed babies getting ear infections and diarrhea. 

Breast feeding has also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Reducing Type 1 diabetes, and childhood leukemia are two other possible things that can be lowered if the mother breastfeeds. 

Mothers benefit from breast feeding too; life can be so much easier when they breast feed. The breast milk is always ready. There is no bottles and nipples to sterilize. You don't have to mix and measure anything in the middle of the night. It is there and ready to go. The baby's hunger is satisfied right away and you can go right back to sleep. 

Breast feeding can save money. Breast feed baby's are sick less, and most important breast feeding is mom and baby getting physical contact. The contact of the mother can help the baby to bond with mom. Mothers also benefit from breast feeding; they lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Postpartum Depression.

I found an article that stated Norway is doing a wonderful job of supporting breastfeeding mothers. “Norway tops the Breastfeeding Policy Scorecard ranking." They contribute this to  Norwegian mothers being given one of the most generous parental leave policies in the developed world.

After the mother gives birth," she can take up to 36 weeks off work with 100 percent of pay, or they may opt for 46 weeks with 80 percent pay (or less if the leave period is shared with the father)". "Norwegian law provides for up to 12 months of additional child care leave" The fathers take advantage of this time off as well. . When moms return to work they are given nursing breaks as they need." Norway also has nearly 80 percent of hospitals that have been certified as baby-friendly and enacted into law many provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Norway is a very supportive environment for  breastfeed: 99 percent of babies there are breastfed initially and 70 percent are breastfed exclusively at 3 months.” I found a study that said in Norway 96 percent of babies was getting fed breast milk. What am amazing number.  

Compare this to the USA:“The United States ranks last on the Breastfeeding Policy Scorecard." The US is just one place where it is not required by employers to provide any paid maternity leave. Breaks are unpaid, and this is usually for the mom to pump breast milk. "Only 2 percent of hospitals in the United States have been certified as baby-friendly and none of the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes has been enacted into law. While 75 percent of American babies are initially breastfed, only 35 percent are being breastfed exclusively at 3 months.”

The differences between Norway and the United States amazed me. In the US we talk about “Breast is best”, The US is doing a very poor job of providing parents with the support they need to actually give their babies the “best”.Most mothers want to breastfeed and usually breastfeeding is initiation high but it soon drops off within a few weeks. There is not any support to help the mother continue to breastfeed.  Breastfeeding is natural, but community support is needed for the mothers to continue. In the US we need more Baby Friendly hospitals and support for the breastfeeding mothers. 

The reason why I chose to do this blog on Breastfeeding is I feel strongly about it. I feed my children breast milk and I work with prenatal mom's and I do my best to educate them of the benefits of breast milk. I also will continue to support mothers who do breast feed and if once I get into a position where I have staff that are breastfeeding I will support them. I will make sure there is a room in which they are allowed to breast feed. I will be an advocate  for my female staff that want to breast feed.  

REFERENCES: 

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/int-comp-whocode-bf-init~int-comp-whocode-bf-init-ico~int-comp-whocode-bf-init-ico-norway

http://nurturedchild.ca/index.php/2012/05/11/the-best-and-worst-places-in-the-industrialized-world-for-breastfeeding-support/

Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). Chapter 1, “Children  and Childhoods”, New York, NY: Worth Publishers.