Importance of Breastfeeding

Throughout my reading and research during this course and the last, I have gained a better understanding of the importance of breastfeeding for mom and baby. Breastfeeding allows the infant to receive the nutrition needed to grow and develop. It is especially important  for the newborn to breastfeed immediately after birth to ensure that he/she gets the colostrum. It is proven that babies who are breast fed are less often sick and have a lesser chance of developing things such as allergies, asthma, ear infections, stomach aches, etc. This is because breast milk provides antibodies against diseases. Breast fed babies are also less likely to become obese as adults. Breastfeeding also helps mother and baby bond and can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis for the mother. In my opinion, breast feeding has a positive influence on everyone in the family, including the father as well. It not only has short-term positive impacts but long term as well. Breast fed babies are more likely to attend college and less likely to become obese over age 12. They are also likely to develop less cavities and stronger jaws (Berger, 2012).

After researching I found that President Arroyo of the Philippines in 2009, focused on the importance of breastfeeding in the battle against hunger and malnutrition in kids. The goal was to promote breastfeeding through a campaign using role models who had been breast fed from birth. They were also planning to integrate optimal infant and young child feeding practices into the education system. They were also working together with teachers to provide instructional materials in order to support their advocacy of breastfeeding. In the Philippines, not breastfeeding was highly prevalent in the deaths among children under five years old. "Breastfeeding is the most far-reaching and cheapest poverty alleviation strategy" ("Philippines: President arroyo," 2009).

I think it is important to advocate breastfeeding to young mothers because of the positive influence it has short term and long term for mother and baby. Research proves that breast milk ensures healthy growth and development in all aspects and promotes life-long health. It will be my goal from now on to ensure that I advocate also for breastfeeding and the impacts it can have on babies and mothers.

References:

Berger, K. (2012). The developing person through childhood. (6th ed.,pp.127-159). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Philippines: President arroyo sets focus on importance of breastfeeding in battle against hunger, malnutrition among kids. (2009, Mar 13). Asia News Monitor. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1017948352?accountid=14872