Health, Safety, and Nutrition of Children-Breast Feeding

Health, Safety, and Nutrition of Children-Breast Feeding

Infants around the world are fed different meals as they grow. Global health organizations such as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF recommend that mothers breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months. Exclusive breastfeeding is challenging for some mothers. However, those who manage to breastfeed exclusively enable their children to grow and develop better than infants who are not breastfed exclusively. Children gain numerous health benefits ranging from immunity boost, optimal development, and growth to emotional bonding with the mother.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breastfeeding is one of the most effective strategies that ensure the child is in good health and increases the chances of survival. It is recommended that mothers breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months of their life before introducing other foods. However, not all mothers can breastfeed children exclusively for six months. At least 2 out of 3 newborns are not breastfed exclusively for the recommended six months (WHO).

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Breastfeeding is highly recommended because breast milk is safe, clean, and has antibodies, which boost the infant’s immunity. Breast milk has all the required proteins for the infants’ growth and development. Children who are breastfed exclusively for six months tend to demonstrate better intellectual development and physical health. They perform better than their counterparts on tests that assess intelligence, are less predisposed to diabetes as they grow, and are less likely to be obese (WHO).

In addition, breast milk is less likely to be contaminated because the infant consumes it directly. The availability and temperature of breast milk are always optimal, making it easy to satisfy the child’s hunger. Breast milk contains enough water for the child’s nutritional needs. Consuming breast milk promotes the child’s teeth and jaw development. This is achieved through suckling, which develops the muscles in the face. Breast milk is easily digestible in comparison to other types of milk. The skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding enables the mother and the child to create an emotional connection. The colostrum in the milk protects children from illnesses and acts as a laxative. The more significant benefit of breastfeeding is demonstrated in the potential of breastmilk to save at least 6 million infants’ lives every year that are taken by infectious illnesses (The Mother and Child Health and Education Trust)—both UNICEF and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding, which is done on demand. The child’s appetite or hunger creates the need for breast milk. The child should not consume other liquids or foods during these six months. From six months, the child can begin to consume other foods. However, breastfeeding should continue till the child is two years old (WHO).

Despite the multiple benefits of breastfeeding, mothers around the world encounter health, cultural, and societal barriers that make exclusive breastfeeding difficult. Mothers can be negatively influenced to believe that breast milk is nutritionally insufficient for infants. The responsibilities and chores that mothers carry out at home also make it difficult to breastfeed exclusively. These include fetching water and firewood and taking care of other family members. Work schedules may interfere with exclusive breastfeeding as mothers must carry out their professional duties. Lack of sufficient milk among mothers is also a hindrance, while older family members could influence the decision to breastfeed exclusively (Tampah-Naah, Kumi-Kyereme, and Amo-Adjei).

Conclusion

Breastfeeding exclusively is advised because of the numerous benefits that children gain. However, the mothers may encounter challenges and hindrances that impede the decision to breastfeed exclusively. These challenges vary from one mother to another. Conclusively, they deny the children some of the benefits that breast milk has on their health and growth.

References

Tampah-Naah, Anthony Mwinilanaa, Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme and Joshua Amo-Adjei. “Maternal challenges of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding in Ghana.” PLOS ONE (2019).

The Mother and Child Health and Education Trust. Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Infant/Young Child. 2022. <https://motherchildnutrition.org/healthy-nutrition/about-essential-nutrition-actions/benefits-of-breastfeeding.html>.

WHO. Breastfeeding. 2022. <https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1>.

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Health, Safety, and Nutrition of Children-Breast Feeding

You will choose one of the topics listed below related to children’s health, safety, and nutrition. Research the topic using the information in class, the textbook, the Internet, or other sources. In addition to submitting a 2-3 page paper on the subject.