Breastfeeding Investigation

The issue that I am investigating is related to the area of study, contemporary and future issues because it is a controversial topic discussed frequently in social and print media and it is related to a contemporary trend in breastfeeding. Another area of study this investigation links to is social/cultural because this has become a large topic that has been widely investigated regarding the development of a child who is breastfed.

The research question “is it is best for a child’s development to be breastfed?’’ I will guide the overarching research in conjunction with the three focus questions below. This research question is a contemporary issue.

The focus questions I will be using to guide this investigation are;

1: what are the physical benefits of a child who is breastfed?

2: what are the emotional benefits of a child who is breastfed?

3: what are the risks of not being breastfed?

Methodology

Primary and secondary sources of information will be used in this investigation. Primary sources of information will be accessed by surveying a midwife, midwife lecturer, midwife and mothers from online blogs. Secondary sources will be from relevant newspaper and magazine databases, books and articles. Relevant and important internet websites will also be accessed.

Focus question 1: What are the physical

benefits of a child who is breastfed?

Breast milk composition includes exactly the right amount of protein, fat, lactose, vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are needed. Breast milk is the ultimate health food (Sears, 2012). Human breast milk has the perfect nutrients for a babies needs, it gives your baby protection against infection and including lowering the risk of SIDS also known as sudden infant death syndrome as the mother’s milk contains extremely vital and important antibiotics which cannot be manufactory made to put into formula. Breast milk reduces the risk of life threatening issues such as allergies, childhood obesity, and youth diabetes, some childhood cancers such as leukemia, respiratory infections and asthma, including less major infections including urinary infections, middle ear infections and diarrheal diseases.

Babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk don't get this layer of protection, so they're more vulnerable to inflammation, allergies, and other eventual health issues. ‘’The precious, easily digestible liquid is full of disease-fighting antibodies called immunoglobulins that strengthen your baby's immune system’’ (Inch, n.d.). Breast milk also helps your baby to fight infections in the first few months of their life. Breast milk contains antibodies, which help protect your baby against illnesses such as stomach bugs, commonly known as gastroenteritis, colds including influenza A and B, urinary infections and ear infections (Inch, n.d.). Because breastfeeding requires such a strenuous sucking action, it is reported that breastfed babies are known to have a decreased chance of dental health problems along with the additional added bonus of better and more successful development of facial bones and straighter teeth (Sears, 2012).

To help a baby’s brain develop successfully they need polyunsaturated fatty acids, which breast milk contains. Sally Inch from the baby Centre says that by ‘exclusively breastfeeding for the first few months it can improve your baby’s cognitive development’ (Inch, n.d). Evidently, this means that by breastfeeding it has the potential to make a baby more intelligent. (Inch, n.d.)

Researchers have found a strong link between a lack of or no existence of breastfeeding with later development of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis for the babies who are not breastfed (WebMD, 2014). Glycosaminoglycan’s are produced in breast milk which prevent the contraction of HIV, and reducing risk of transmission, and human milk lipids contribute to healthy immunity, with activity against Giardia lamblia, influenza, group B streptococci, epidermidis, respiratory syncytial virus also known as RSV, and herpes simplex virus type 1 (NCBI, 2014). However, this is prevention and it will not cure your baby from contracting these diseases or infections.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends breast milk as the best possible nutrition for infants. Babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months, according to the AAP. ‘’After other foods have been introduced, the AAP encourages mothers to continue to breastfeed until baby is at least a year old, and as long after that as both mother and child are willing’’ (WebMD, 2014) . This ensures that your baby will receive the maximum amount of nutrition as possible as it is a vital stage of their development.
Focus question 2: What are the emotional benefits between a mother and child who is breastfed?

‘’Breastfeeding satisfies an infant's nutritional and emotional needs better than any other method of infant feeding’’ (Fowler, 2014). Breastfeeding enhances and promotes the bond between a mother and baby. Breast milk may be the key to mother-baby bonding, according to research that found that breast-feeding mothers demonstrate stronger brain responses when they hear their baby cry. In addition they’re also more likely than formula-feeding mums to bond with their babies. (Inch, n.d.)

Babies engage in comfort nursing also commonly known as non-nutritive sucking, even beyond their need for taking in breast milk just for nourishment. When given the opportunity, commonly babies will comfort nurse. Comfort nursing fills your baby’s required needs for soothing and familiarity. Your babies need to nurse for comfort and security as well as its important need for bonding and company.

It is important for the emotional bond between mother and child to form because it provides babies first model of intimate relationships, this bond also fosters a sense of security and develop positive self-esteem.

Researchers told MSNBC that ‘’The brains of breastfeeding mothers show a greater response to the sound of their babies’ cries than do the brains of mothers who don’t breastfeed’ (MSNBC, 2013). This bond created by breastfeeding allows mothers to show baby their love, affection and protection. The intimate bond through breastfeeding forms these three important attributes, as it is comforting for a baby being cradled and nurtured while being

fed.

Midwife Cath Curtan has delived over 10,000 babies over her 40 year career and strongly encourages breastfeeding but encourages any mother who is unable to do so with the following statement ‘’Formula is food for your baby and enough of making our new mothers feel guilty about giving babies formula’’ (Curtin, 2015). Mother Simone Casey felt guilty about being unable to breastfeed her newborn baby due to complications, however her supportive doctor reassured her that her child would still live a successful life ‘’Breastfeeding is great, formula is good’’ she says ‘’My doctor told me how he had three children, in which two of them where breastfed, his adopted son was not, however he is the most academic one out of the three which they also have a strong unbreakable bond with’ (Casey, 2015)’. ‘’If you use a formula, your baby will get the best possible alternative to breast milk’’ (Center, 2012). Breastfeeding Is the best option for your child’s development but if a mother is unable to breastfed due to medical problems a child will still forms a bond through other forms of feeding and skin to skin contact. A mother who feeds her child formula will still bond with the baby as it focuses their eyes with their mothers while bottle feeding.

Studies show that breastfeeding is significantly linked to attachment parenting. This is the method where parent’s aim is to raise their children with a strong relationship bond. On demand attachment parenting can be strongly encouraged. The down side of this method is creating a baby that is unable to settle themselves. (Fowler, 2014)

Focus question 3: What are the risks of not being breastfed?

There are many major risks that come with the important decision not to breastfeed a child. Epidemiologic studies suggest that children who are indeed formula fed in infancy are more likely to become obese or develop type 2 diabetes (NCBI, 2014).

A range and variety of studies have found links between formula feeding and childhood leukemia based on the ‘’hypothesis that immunoreactivity factors found in breast milk that may prevent viral infections implicated in the childhood leukemia pathogenesis’’ (NCBI, 2014).

‘’In addition, it is proven that they will have lower IQ’S in formulated children rather than breastfed children’’ (Burnett, 2014). Multiple authors have examined familiar associations between infant feeding and cognitive development, with a variety of results. Several studies reported significantly lower IQ scores in formula fed children compared with breastfed children, although others reported no connection between infant formula feeding and intelligence. Data should be interpreted with cautioned knowledge due to confounding by socioeconomic status and maternal intelligence. ‘’Nevertheless, data from 2 randomized controlled trials provides evidence of developmental differences with shorter durations of breastfeeding’’ (NCBI, 2014).

Various studies strongly suggest that formula feeding has a connection with an increased number of SIDS compared with breastfeeding. ‘’In reviewing the evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome concluded that factors associated with breastfeeding, but not breastfeeding itself were associated with a lower incidence of SIDS’’ (NCBI, 2014). These studies where done after adjustment of sleeping positions, maternal smoking and drug use as well as socioeconomic status where considered.

The NCIB says ‘’formula feeding is associated with a higher risk of infant mortality in the United States compared with ever breastfeeding’’ (NCBI, 2014). This task was one again done after sociologic status was considered.

Various studies have linked associations with formula feeding and childhood leukemia based on the knowledge that immunoreactivity factors found in breast milk may prevent the viral infections in childhood leukemia genes. Two analyses found a higher risk of lymphoblastic leukemia among formula fed children compared with children who were breastfed as infants. Researchers also found a higher risk of myeloid leukemia associated with formula fed infants compared with infant’s who were breastfed (NCBI, 2014).

Conclusion
Another risk for children who were not breastfed is that they can develop neurodevelopment problems such as infantile development, namely gross moto development, fine motor development and myelination patterns. This is highly attributed to special components of breast milk or may be to a unique feature in breastfeeding. This effects children development throughout life.