Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a highly debated topic among women in the United States. Mothers have the

choice between breastfeeding their infants or giving them formula. Although most people are aware

that there are benefits to breastfeeding, not many people know exactly what makes breastfeeding the

ideal choice. Majority of women are also unaware of how long they should breastfeed their children

for (Hossain, Islam, Kamarul, & Hossain, 2018). In my paper I will be looking at; what really is the

ideal length of time to breastfeed your infant, what are its impacts on oral health, and what are the

impacts on psychological health. Expecting mothers should be informed more about the benefits, and

if it is possible the length of time they should try to breastfeed their baby for. Whether you breastfeed

or not, it may have long term effects on the infant’s future health (Kramer & Kakuma, 2004),

however, the first step is better educating expectant mothers. This topic is important to me because I

would like to work in areas such as labor and delivery and I may be helping mothers breastfeed for

the the first time. It is vital for me to be aware of this information and keep myself updated.

Human breast milk has a composition of nutrients that are specific to the needs of the infant

(Murphy et al., 2017.) The first few months of life are vital for the development of the neonate and

form the path for the child’s future health (Vohr et al., 2006). Breast milk contains oligosaccharides,

while babies are unable to digest them, they promote the growth of commensal bacteria (Murphy et

al., 2017). This bacteria is an important part in the infant’s immune system. While the infant’s

immune system is still weak, the bacteria helps protect against pathogens (Murphy et al., 2017).

Although, formula contains the nutrients that are required for an infant to grow, there are pieces that

formula simply can’t replicate. For example, it has been recently discovered that breast milk contains

stem cells. Stem cells are found in tissues of the embryo. With this information it has been suggested

to use that breast milk is important in treating neonatal diseases. (Hosseini, Owrangi, Sani, and
Talaei-Khozani., 2014). Even though formula tries it cannot match up to the benefits of breast milk.

Most often when people think about the benefits of breastfeeding, they don’t consider the

psychological effects. Typically the focus is put on the physical effects on the mother and baby,

however, research has found that there are also lasting psychological impacts (Horwood & Fergusson,

1998, p. 5.) The ideal length of time to exclusively breastfeed is for six months, and breastfeeding for

less than six months is a predictor for negative health effects (Oddy et al., 2010). In addition, one of

the most commonly talked about benefits of breastfeeding is its effects on intelligence and

development. In an article on the academic outcomes of children who were breastfed, it is stated that

“children who were breastfed for ≥8 months had mean test scores that were between 0.35 and 0.59

SD units higher than children who were bottle-fed” (Horwood & Fergusson, 1998, p. 5). From this

information, it is clear that breastfeeding has a clear impact on children’s future academic

performance.

A much debated topic when it comes to breastfeeding, is its effects on oral health of the

infant. Infants who are breastfed have improved oral health and fewer oral problems, compared to

infants that have been formula fed (Anyanechi, Ekabua, Ekabua, and Ekpenyong., 2017).

Unfortunately, many mothers are unaware of these benefits and also of how long they really should

breastfeed for to reap these benefits. It is ideal for the baby to be breastfed up to and beyond the

teething stage (Anyanechi et al., 2017). In addition, breastfeeding has been associated with a

decreased risk of abnormal jaw development, thrush, abnormal swallowing, and snoring (Anyanechi

et al., 2017). This is thought to be because of the suckling necessary in order to breastfeed. You

simply don’t get the same thing from using bottles and pacifiers. Although, babies can still receive

breast milk through bottle feeding, if it is an option avoiding bottle usage is ideal (Anyanechi et al,.
2017) However, as previously mentioned, majority of the women spoken to in this study, they were

unaware of the extent of the benefits. When women were informed of the benefits they were more

likely to prolong exclusive breastfeeding. The knowledge of breastfeeding and its benefits are

lacking, and it is evident that expecting mothers would benefit greatly from knowing more about this

information.

Although it is widely known by women that breastfeeding is the optimal choice, many don’t

carry it out to the full six months. Currently rates of women breastfeeding is up to 81% at birth,

however, many stop breastfeeding earlier than what is recommended. (CDC, 2016). There is a

multitude of reasons that women choose to not breastfeed or to cut it short. The number three

decision for why women choose to not breastfeed, or stop is because of work (Arora, McJunkin,

Wehrer, and Kuhn., 2000). Breastfeeding while working is considered inconvenient and difficult to fit

into your schedule. Perhaps creating a more friendly environment, or a safe space to go in order to

pump would help encourage them to pump at work. In addition, according to the article published by

Arora et al. (2000) 78% of the women in the study who either breastfed or bottle fed had already

made their decision before giving birth, and also before conceiving. Also many women wished they

had received more info via family, doctors, and media about breastfeeding (Arora et al). If more

women had been educated before conceiving or in early pregnancy, and also received support, then

they may have chosen to breastfeed instead. To my surprise, another reason for why women didn’t

breastfeed was the perceived attitude of their significant other. Whether it be true or not, women felt

their significant other had a negative view on breastfeeding. (Arora et al). Also, what I thought would

be important info for my career, is 73.5% of the women spoken to in the study of Arora et al, self

reported that if they had received more teaching from the nurses in the hospital, then they would have

felt more encouraged to breastfeed. This information is significant to my career, since as a nurse I
could potentially have an impact on whether these women breastfeed or not, I need to be aware of the

influence I may have on new mothers. Finally, there are also physical reasons that impact the mother

and baby that lead them to stop. One of the most common reasons that leads women to stop

breastfeeding is nipple pain. According to a study conducted by Buchko et al., 1994, 14% of the

participants in the study stopped breastfeeding after one week, this was due to bleeding and cracked

nipples as a result of breastfeeding. However, there are some steps the mother can take in order to

alleviate some of the pain. In the same study conducted by Buchko et al., 1994, they found an

effective method was to use a warm water compress. In the study it was found to be the most

effective, however, it is also extremely inexpensive. In addition to this, the researchers also realized

that the women working making and effort to find ways to alleviate the pain, they continuously

reached out to their nurses asking for advice. It’d be beneficial, when I’m in that position as a nurse,

that I need to be able to provide some potential solutions. As for the infant, many mothers worry if

they are getting enough milk. This is also another reason for them to bottle-feed, if they bottle-feed

they can be sure of how much their baby is receiving because they can measure it out (Arora et al.)

Some suggestions for keeping track of if your baby is receiving breast milk include; listening to if

your baby is swallowing when you breastfeed and by checking how wet the baby’s diaper is (Arora et

al). Although these are simple problems to fix, they have major impacts on whether the mother

breastfeeds or not. If she is uncomfortable or most of all unsure of whether the baby is receiving the

nutrition it needs, then she chances are is going to be much less likely to proceed with breastfeeding.

With early intervention we can potentially diminish these concerns and help provide support.

Breastfeeding in public can oftentimes be a sensitive subject for new mothers. It isn’t

uncommon to hear about women being harassed for breastfeeding in public, such as in stores and

restaurants. Unfortunately a large number of people view it as taboo (Boyer, 2011.) In interviews
with women, three out of nine women spoken to stated that they had family members that

disapproved of breastfeeding outside of the home. In addition, two out of the nine women reported

scheduling there day in such a way that they wouldn’t have to breastfeed outside of the home (Boyer,

2011). This view that people have is incredibly unfortunate, a mother feeding her baby is natural and

shouldn’t be shunned by others. It is a subject based on your opinion and your values, however, you

should be able to respect someone's decision on how to feed her baby. I believe if a mother is better

informed on how breastfeeding will benefit their baby, other people's opinions will become irrelevant.

However, there aren’t many options for places for women to go to breastfeed in private. Some retail

stores have put into place breastfeeding rooms, however, many places leave a bathroom stall as the

only option for women who aren’t comfortable out in the open. Additionally, a common thought is

that women can just pump milk and use that when in public. Unfortunately, the use of bottles and

pacifiers can lead to nipple confusion. Nipple confusion is as a result of switching from breast to

bottle, bottles require very little sucking on the baby’s part. Due to this, when a mother tries to

breastfeed again it results in the baby not latching on correctly and refusing the breast (Boyer, 2011.)

Overall my articles are relatively reliable. However, I believe for pretty much all my articles

that they would benefit from larger groups. The article most affected by this is the one written by

Kate Boyer on breastfeeding in public. She really in total only spoke to nine women, this results in a

lack of diversity and definitely doesn’t incorporate the opinion of majority of women. In addition, I

think some of the articles would’ve benefited by also comparing the benefits of breastfeeding to

formula, in my opinion it creates somewhat of a bias when all they discuss is breastmilk and don’t

compare and contrast.

In the end, it is evident that breastfeeding is the ideal choice if it is possible. The benefits of

breastfeeding far outweigh the consequences. Breastfeeding plays an important role in preventing oral
 disease, improving psychological health and development, and if there was more support for women

the potential of having more women prolong breastfeeding would increase. Steps should be taken to

make it easier in the workplace and also to leave people more open minded to breastfeeding in public.

This information will be vital for me in my future career as a nurse, and with this information I can

better help new mothers feel confident in their decision.

References

Anyanechi, C. E., Ekabua, K. J., Ekpenyong, A. B., & Ekabua, J. E. (2017). Parturients’ Awareness and

Perception of Benefits of Breast Feeding in the Prevention of Infant and Childhood Oral and Dental

Diseases. Ghana medical journal, 51(2), 83-87.

 Arora, S., McJunkin, C., Wehrer, J., & Kuhn, P. (2000). Major factors influencing breastfeeding rates:

Mother's perception of father's attitude and milk supply. Pediatrics, 106(5), e67-e67.

Boyer, K. (2011). “The way to break the taboo is to do the taboo thing” breastfeeding in public and

citizen-activism in the UK. Health & place, 17(2), 430-437.

Buchko, B. L., Pugh, L. C., Bishop, B. A., Cochran, J. F., SMITH, L. R., & Lerew, D. J. (1994). Comfort

measures in breastfeeding, primiparous women. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal

Nursing, 23(1), 46-52.

Horwood, L. J., & Fergusson, D. M. (1998). Breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic outcomes.

Pediatrics, 101(1), e9-e9.

Hossain, M., Islam, A., Kamarul, T., & Hossain, G. (2018). Exclusive breastfeeding practice during first

six months of an infant’s life in Bangladesh: a country based cross-sectional study. BMC pediatrics,

18(1), 93.

Hosseini, S. M., Talaei-khozani, T., Sani, M., & Owrangi, B. (2014). Differentiation of human breast-milk

stem cells to neural stem cells and neurons. Neurology research international, 2014.

Kramer, M. S., & Kakuma, R. (2004). The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. In Protecting

infants through human milk (pp. 63-77). Springer, Boston, MA.

 Murphy, K., Curley, D., O’Callaghan, T. F., O’Shea, C. A., Dempsey, E. M., O’Toole, P. W., ... &

Stanton, C. (2017). The composition of human milk and infant faecal microbiota over the first three

months of life: a pilot study. Scientific reports, 7, 40597.

Oddy, W. H., Kendall, G. E., Li, J., Jacoby, P., Robinson, M., De Klerk, N. H., ... & Stanley, F. J. (2010).

The long-term effects of breastfeeding on child and adolescent mental health: a pregnancy cohort

study followed for 14 years. The Journal of pediatrics, 156(4), 568-574.

Vohr, B. R., Poindexter, B. B., Dusick, A. M., McKinley, L. T., Wright, L. L., Langer, J. C., & Poole, W.

K. (2006). Beneficial effects of breast milk in the neonatal intensive care unit on the developmental

outcome of extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months of age. Pediatrics, 118(1), e115-e123.