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Breast feeding Awareness
In 1991, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative . The initiative includes " Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding", known as THE CODE, in response to the finding sited in the World Health Assembly resolutions entitled "Innocenti Declaration 1992". The committee found that breastfeeding was in serious decline and close to extinction due to commercial practices and lack of education world wide. Breastfeeding was becoming a lost "art".
Women entering the work force after the World Wars only increased the need for alternative feeding methods among families. The results that were published by the World Health Assembly, found not only that breastfeeding was in decline but also the health of millions of children on the planet was in decline.
The health of children and the planet was indeed tied to women's ability to breastfeed.
Today we see and hear that "Breast is Best." We know the physical and emotional benefits to mothers and infants and studies are linking breastfeeding to the prevention of diabetes and obesity in children. Professional care workers now encourage mothers to breastfeed for all of these reasons.
The Step 2, of THE CODE, states that health care staff having any contact with mothers, infants and/or children must receive instruction on the implementation and knowledge of these policies and code. It recommends at least 18 hours of training in total with a minimum of three hours of supervised clinical experience .
Information and brochures will be posted in health clinics with applications For all mothers and how to breast feed correctly .
The Ideal food for the first 4-6 months of life is Exclusive use of breast milk .
We can write in it :
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The benefits of Colostrum and breast feeding
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Advantage and disadvantage of beast feeding and artificial feeding
Benefits of Colostrum :
The milk produced by mammals during the first few days after
parturition ;human Colostrum contains more protein (2 percent compared with 1 percent, slightly less lactose, considerably less fat (3 percent compared with 5 percent ) and overall slightly less energy than mature milk .
Benefits of Breastfeeding :
Provides Immunologic protection to the infant against many infections and diseases (especially respiratory and gastrointestinal ).-
Offers Uniquely suited nutrient composition with high bioavailability
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Reduces risk of food allergy in the infant
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Promotes infant oral motor development
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Offers convenience : always fresh , available , and at the right temperature
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Is generally less expensive than formula feeding
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May protect infant against some chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes and childhood Leukemia
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Promotes mother-infant bonding
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Facilitates uterine contractions and controls postpartum bleeding
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Promotes return to prepregnancy weight .
Contraindications To Breastfeeding : -
Active tuberculosis .
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HIV/ AIDS .
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Herpes Simplex lesions on the maternal breast
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Malaria .
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Maternal chicken pox (first 3 weeks postpartum only ).
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Maternal breast cancer requiring treatment
Guidline for Successful Breastfeeding :
Although Breastfeeding is the most natural and easiest way to feed infants,
Mothers who decide to breastfeed should take care of :
- Offer both breasts at each nursing session
- Open infant's mouth wide to latch on correctly .
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