Importance of Breastfeeding
Importance of Breastfeeding
Introduction
Breastfeeding is medically recognized as the best feeding mode for infants. It is easy to use for the mothers. Does not require much to be done for as long as the mother decides to breastfeed and feeds well then they increase their chances of milk production. Most of them are in a position to give adequate amounts for the exclusive use by their babies. Although it can be contraindicated for some mothers. For example, those on chemotherapy treatment. Mothers who are suffering from cancer are not recommended to give their babies the milk. Some of the treatment crosses the blood barrier, therefore, can be transferred to the infants (CDC, 2015) (Weimeer, 2001). .
Another category is mothers suffering from HIV/AIDS. During their antenatal care, they taught about the effects of them feeding as the virus is carried in the blood, hence will increase the chances of the baby contracting the virus. Although studies are still being done to ascertain the best approach for HIV/AIDS mothers. Another category that has a challenge in breastfeeding is those that abuse drugs. Most of the illicit drugs such as cocaine are intravascular. Therefore, they are taken up into the blood system and can be transferred to the baby. The infants’ exposure to drugs can lead
The milk from the mother is essential for the proper growth of the child. The goal of this paper is to identify the importance of encouraging breastfeeding for mothers. And especially exclusive breastfeeding for those under six months. To determine the set policies that support breastfeeding and how the failure to follow them has affected the health of the infants. To find out how the healthcare providers can help mothers adjust to proper breastfeeding habits.
The clinical issue
The issue selected is Health promotion and maintenance of health. The objective is to ensure the health status of newborns is taken care of. Health is defined as the social, physical and mental wellness of a person. (NCLEX-RN, 2013). The baby that is initiated into breastfeeding has a better chance of growing up healthy for the rest of their life. Promotion and maintenance relate to the strategies put in place to aid in the achievement of the set plans. Therefore, this concept is highly associated with the health care workers, the leadership, and the mothers.
Patient population
The target population for the breastfeeding lessons are postnatal mothers. Those who have recently delivered. They are taught the importance so that they know the reasons that they have to support the activity. The area of study that can be used for the learning is majorly the maternity unit in the postnatal ward. Those that have already delivered can be taught the benefits as well as other health messages related to puerperium. The other place is the postnatal clinics where health education can be planned for groups of mothers before their babies receive the immunizations to encourage them to continue with the activity for as long as it is necessary.
Importance of addressing the issue
In the United States, there is a committee that is given the mandate of monitoring the activities of breastfeeding for mothers. They deliver the services, guided by three primary goals which are to promote the activity. To protect the babies and support the parents through the period needed.
They target to ensure that they achieve the following five areas, goal1; The team aids, to provide proper lactation care and services to the mothers, the babies and the family support system of the two. Which can be the spouse, and the extended family who live around them? Goal 2; Teaching the public so that they can recognize it as normal and become the preferred mode of feeding for the babies. Goal 3; It affects the state, and the laws of that govern the locality in relation and family law to support the people to make it easy for those breastfeeding (United States Breastfeeding Committee, 2002). The final goal 4; it helps the mothers in the work system (JOGNN, 2015). To ensure the employers recognize the needs of the parents and be part of the support system for them. Not setting up rules that are not friendly during this period.
Background Information
In the 2oth century, the United States had a move from the breastfeeding emphasis on mothers as it was viewed by many as an old fashioned practice. However, studies showed that the method was more beneficial than the supplemental that had been taken up (Nierenberg, 2015). Studies have also been done to establish if substituting the mothers milk with other animals can be of any benefit. But the study declared that the only milk that is suited for infants is the mothers. This milk contains nutrients that are directly transferred from the parent including immunological benefits. In the study babies that had breastfed showed they had fewer allergies than those who had used formula milk.
Effects of unresolved issue
According to Mason et al., Breastfeeding is the solution to most of the ailments suffered by infants (2013). In the year 2011, approximately 6.9 million children died during their first five years of birth. They did not get to witness their fifth birthdays. 830,000 of them could have been saved if they had started breastfeeding within the first hour of their birth. 22% of them would be stored in the one-hour breastfeeding plan. 16% of the number can also be helped if it is initiated 24hours after birth.
According to the CDC, breastfeeding has improved significantly in the last few years. In the year 2011, approximately79% of the infants started breastfeeding, and not all of them finished the recommended time of exclusive six months and continued to complementary feeding. Of the babies born that year, only 49% of them continued to 6months. 27% were found at the age of 1 year still breastfeeding (2014). The teaching against formula preparation is justified by the fact that it does not contain all the antibiotics that are in milk from the mother. The development of the milk can be easily contaminated, leading to health problems. The ratios that are to be used if not followed well can result in malnutrition for example deficiency of Vitamin K.
Solution to the problem
Most of the mothers are already aware of the existence of the formula milk and therefore the availability makes it easy to opt for it. In an attempt to solve the problem regulations, have to be set up to control the use of the substitutes. Emphasis has to be put in the international code of 1981. The management of the marketing of the milk products. The containers carrying the milk hashave to give the advantages of breastfeeding and the dangers of using the formula. Distribution of free samples to be prohibited. To either mothers, their families or healthcare workers.
The health care workers to ensure that during antenatal care the mothers get adequate teachings on the importance of breast milk. Private hospitals are more prone to giving parents the freedom to choose the use of substitutes. They have to be controlled by the authority to ensure the correct ways are implemented. Recent studies suggest that the infants that breastfeed are at a better chance maintaining good health. They do not develop pneumonia as often and in such cases, they support oxygen during desaturation at a better rate (Chisti, 2011).
Role of the nurse
The perinatal care nursing team is significant in the breastfeeding campaign. The beginning point of the strategy is to have the nurses do as many pieces of training and seminars as possible to learn as much as possible. The more information that they have, will help them in teaching the mothers (ANA, 2010). The team has to work hard towards the creation of a baby friendly hospital recommended by the global standards. Promotion of safe community environments for the mothers. The public to set up some baby friendly areas established for parents to feel safer as they breastfeed.
Home visits are highly recommended. Soon after the discharge of the mother. A nurse can follow at home after a while to assess how the mother is coping with the new responsibilities. It helps the mother to correct the areas that they have not adjusted well. To make their home environment more friendly for the new baby. The nurse has the responsibility of ensuring they help solve any cultural issues that surround breastfeeding at home. The visit contributes to finding out what kind of community the mother comes from (JOGNN, 2015).
References
ANA. (2010). The Imperative of Breastfeeding. An Issue Brief. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and- Resolutions/Issue-Briefs/Breastfeeding.pdf
Registered Nurses Association. (2003). Breastfeeding Best Practice Guidelines for Nurses. RNAO. http://rnao.ca/sites/rnao- ca/files/Breastfeeding_Best_Practice_Guidelines_for_Nurses.pdf
Mason et al. (2013). Superfood for Babies: How to Overcome Barriers to Breastfeeding Will Save Children’s Lives. London: The Save the Children Fund. Retrieved from https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/docs/superfood_for_Babies_UK.pd f
United States Breasting Committee. (2002). Benefits of Breastfeeding. Issue Paper. Raleigh, NC: Retrieved from http://www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/BFbenefits.pdf
Weiner, J. (2001). The Economic of Breastfeeding: A Review and Analysis. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report 13CDC (2014). Breastfeeding Report Card. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2014breastfeedingreportcard.pdf
CDC. (2015). When Should a Mother Avoid Breastfeeding. CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/
Chisti, M et al. (2011). Impact of Breastfeeding During Neonatal Age on the Development of Clinical Signs and Hypoxemia in Young Infants with Diarrhea. PLOS.
JOGNN (2015). Breastfeeding. Journal of Obstetric Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1552- 6909.12530/full
NCLEX-RN. (2013). National Council of State Boards of Nursing. NCLEX-RN. Detailed Test Plan.
Nierenberg, C. (2015). Brestf VS Bottle: Weighing Infant Feeding Options. LiveScience. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/51260-breast-vs-bottle.html
