Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding represents an essential cultural value in most countries globally, and mothers tend to have intense emotions about the issue. Health and political authorities have prioritized encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies, citing various advantages for the mother and the child. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is highly recommended. However, it is also common for breastfeeding to be challenging among mothers, causing them major mental health problems and lessening the joy of interacting with their babies. Such mothers tend to look for alternatives like formula. This paper will focus on the advantages and challenges of breastfeeding and the advantages and concerns raised regarding formula feeding. The impact of breastfeeding on a working mother and the legal issues related to breastfeeding will also be discussed.

Advantages of Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding is known to have significant benefits for infants, as research shows that it can lessen infant mortality by 13 percent (Hvatum & Glavin, 2017). Breastfeeding boosts the infants’ immunity, reducing the probability of contracting infectious diseases. Even for a short period, it also protects infants against chronic illnesses like obesity and ischaemic heart disease (Allen & Hector, 2015). Infants who have been exclusively breastfed during the first six months are also said to score highly in intelligence tests later in time and have better cognitive abilities. Breastfeeding also has significant positive maternal health outcomes, such as the reduced risk of postmenopausal and premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and postpartum depression, among others (Allen & Hector, 2015). Breastfeeding enhances the bond between mother and child, promoting a positive mood.

Breastfeeding Challenges

Women often describe the transition into motherhood as characterized by a sense of loss, fatigue, and isolation, with the pressure to learn new skills, such as breastfeeding, which is often challenging for new mothers (Hvatum & Glavin, 2017). Breastfeeding can be challenging for some mothers, who often report experiencing excruciating pain caused by sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples (Danziger, 2019). Furthermore, cultural and structural barriers often affect breastfeeding, such as minimal postpartum support, lack of genuine and deep societal breastfeeding support, and inadequate parental leave (Danziger, 2019). Low milk supply can also be a challenge for some mothers. For some mothers, the formula is assumed to be equivalent to breastfeeding to deal with the various challenges associated with breastfeeding. For some whose babies fail to breastfeed regularly, breast engorgement is common. Breastfeeding can also be time-consuming, particularly for working mothers.

Advantages of Formula Feeding

The substitution of breastmilk for formula feeding is on the rise today. This trend is common in high- and middle-income countries that consider formula feeding more convenient, and some also believe it to be the best food for their infants (Rahman & Akter, 2019). Formula feeding is considered flexible and allows one to obtain support from their partners, who can help feed the baby and be able to share a bonding experience with them (Ali, 2021). It is also easier to schedule feedings, and mothers do not have to worry about cracked nipples or what they eat.

Disadvantages of Formula Feeding

Contrary to common belief, research shows that formula is less nutritious than breastmilk (Hassan, 2016). This is likely to compromise the immune system of the baby. Formula feeding is more challenging for babies to digest, causing increased gas and constipation. Furthermore, the formula is quite expensive and, therefore, not convenient for low-income mothers or children who cannot access breast milk. The strong bond between a mother and a child during breastfeeding might be weakened in formula feeding.

Impact of Breastfeeding on Working Mothers

Working mothers tend to experience more challenges about breastfeeding. Most are forced to pump milk for their infants while at work. This action is often considered inappropriate at work and is perceived to make others uncomfortable or hinder the working mother’s performance (Danziger, 2019). Furthermore, for mothers who choose to pump breastmilk, physical and emotional challenges are experienced in pumping and sterilizing equipment for storage, delivery, and cooling (Maayan-Metzger et al., 2012). Breastfeeding is likely to compromise a working mother’s job satisfaction and productivity and could also result in increased absenteeism (Wyatt, 2012). This can negatively impact the mother’s physical and emotional health.

Legal Issues

In 2019, Congress passed the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act, which requires particular public buildings to offer clean and shielded spaces besides bathrooms that have chairs, electrical outlets, and working surfaces for mothers who wish to pump or breastfeed (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2021). This will be highly convenient for working mothers, providing them with a safe space not to be met with prying and judgmental looks.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is an essential part of motherhood, enhancing the mother-child bond. However, mothers have different experiences regarding the same. Such experiences can deter or encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding their babies for the recommended period. Some use formula milk as a substitute for breastmilk, even though research shows it might not be as nutritious. Working mothers find formula milk to be highly convenient for them. Challenges such as short maternal leaves or the inconvenience of pumping milk in public cause significant emotional and physical difficulties. However, new legislation was passed in the US to provide a clean and safe space for mothers to express milk. Such strategies can help support a culture of breastfeeding.

References

Ali, R.A. (2021). Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/baby/breastfeeding-vs-formula-feeding#1

Allen, J., & Hector, D. (2015). Benefits of breastfeeding. New South Wales Public Health Bulletin, 16(4), 42-46.

Danziger, P. (2019). Breastfeeding in Medicine: Time to Practice What We Preach. Pediatrics, 144(3).

Hassan, A. A. (2016). Maternal Vista Regarding Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding Versus Formula Feeding. Zagazig Nursing Journal, 12(2), 149-162.

Hvatum, I., & Glavin, K. (2017). Mothers’ experience of not breastfeeding in a breastfeeding culture. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(19-20), 3144-3155.

Maayan-Metzger, A., Avivi, S., Schushan-Eisen, I., & Kuint, J. (2012). Human milk versus formula feeding among preterm infants: short-term outcomes. American journal of perinatology, 29(02), 121-126.

National Conference of State Legislatures. Breastfeeding State Laws. https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx

Rahman, A., & Akter, F. (2019). Reasons for formula feeding among rural Bangladeshi mothers: A qualitative exploration. PloS one, 14(2), e0211761.

Wyatt, S. N. (2012). Challenges of the working breastfeeding mother: Workplace solutions. Aaohn Journal, 50(2), 61-66.

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Module 02 Assignment- Breastfeeding

Advantages of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Challenges

Advantages of Formula Feeding

Disadvantages of Formula Feeding

Impact of Breastfeeding on Working Mothers

Legal Issues

Conclusion