The benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous for both mother and
child. Breastfeeding protects the child from a host of bacterial
and viral infections. This is because breast milk is a living
substance, which, like blood, has live cells with anti-infective properties
that protect the baby from many infections in which he or she comes
in contact. The anti-infective properties in breast milk provide
protection for as long as the baby is breastfed. That means the
longer that a mother breastfeeds, the more protection her child receives. The
protective components in breast milk cannot be replicated by formula,
even the newer types.
Research continues to provide evidence that formula fed children
have an increased incidence of otitis media, asthma, allergies, meningitis,
botulism, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea
illnesses, insulin dependent diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative
colitis, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia.
Research has also shown that breastfed children have improved cognitive
development, such as reading comprehension and mathematical ability
at age 10-13. There is also research to support the statement
that breastfed children are less likely to have conduct disorders. Research
has proved that that breastfed children displayed fewer
problems with aggressive and destructive behavior and were considered
to be better adjusted socially. Research also shows that women
who breastfeed have a decreased incidence of premenopausal breast
cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and osteoporosis.
With such overwhelming evidence to the benefits of breastfeeding,
many organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics,
American Academy of Family
Physicians, American College of OB GYN, the World Health Organization,
UNICEF, the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, and many others,
have come out with strong statements to promote and protect breastfeeding. The
American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family
Physicians, recommend that all women be encouraged to breastfeed their
babies for at least the first year of life. The WHO echoes a
similar statement.
Why isn’t there a 100% or even 75% breastfeeding initiation
rate? Why do most US mothers not breastfeed for a full year? Sadly,
society in this country is not as supportive as it needs to be in
supporting the breastfeeding family. Breastfeeding is a learned
skill and it often takes time for new mothers and babies to work out
the initial problems. In the US, many new families do not have
relatives living close by who could provide much needed support and
assistance. Often, women are given advice that undermines their
ability to breastfeed, such as being encouraged to give bottles at
bedtime so mom can sleep through the night. This generally leads
to decreased milk supply and early weaning. Women returning to
the workplace face major difficulties and challenges which undermine
their ability to continue breastfeeding. Many women desperately
want to breastfeed their baby but experience problems along the way. Lack
of good support can lead to early weaning. It’s important
for a woman to consider where support can be found and how to tap
into it. Local and national organizations that promote breastfeeding,
can be good contacts. The International Lactation Consultant
Association has a listing of International Board Certified Lactation
Consultants in each state. This certification is considered the
gold standard for the field of lactation. Another organization
that provides breastfeeding support is La Leche League International. They
can provide the location of local support groups. A woman’s
own health care providers can give also give much needed support.
Breastfeeding should be enjoyable for mother and child. Both
will reap the many physical and psychological rewards of this wonderful
experience.
Yvonne Snyder RNC, MSN, CFNP, IBCLC is an International Board Certified
Lactation Consultant and a Family Nurse Practitioner. August
isn National Breastfeeding Month. Contact the CAMC Health Information
Center at
1-888-HEALTHY or www.healthinfocenter.org for more information on
breastfeeding or any other healthcare topic.
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