Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
In a 3-page paper, written in APA format using proper spelling/grammar, research the topic of breastfeeding and address the following: Explain at least 3 advantages and 3 potential disadvantages or concerns related to breastfeeding. Explain at least 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages or concerns about formula feeding. Describe the impact that breastfeeding has on a working mother. Describe at least 1 legal issue and/or recent legislation related to breastfeeding. Be sure to include APA citations for any resources you used as references.Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
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Human Growth and Development-Breastfeeding
Advantages and potential concerns or disadvantages related to breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is recommended as the best way for mothers to give their newborns and infants the best nutrition. Breastfeeding is beneficial to both the mother and the baby. Breastfeeding offers a mother a satisfying experience enabling her to have close physical contact with the baby (Hatfield, 2008). This connection can lessen the stress levels of the mother and lessen the risk of postpartum depression. Breastfeeding causes the release of oxytocin hormone, which plays a major role in enhancing the bonding between the newborn and the baby. Another key advantage of breastfeeding is that the nursing child gets antibodies as well as immune producing substances.Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding. The immune system of a newborn is immature and has less ability to fight disease-causing pathogens. As Hatfield (2008) indicates, breast milk offers immunological properties from the mother tat assist safeguard the newborn from illnesses and strengthen the immune system of the newborn. Another advantage of breastfeeding is that it is easier to digest compared to formula and thus prevents colic and gas. Additionally, breast milk is readily available, does not need any preparation or storage and no clean up of dishes or utensils is required after feeding.Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
Although breastfeeding has many advantages, there are potential disadvantages to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding causes unequal feeding responsibilities because childcare because only the mother can offer breast milk to the baby. According to Hatfield (2008), some mothers feel that breastfeeding would leave out others from feeding the infant. Some fathers may be interested in feeding the infant but they might not get this opportunity when the baby is breastfed. Other perceived disadvantages of breastfeeding are that some women feel that they will be not able to go back to school or work because the infant should be frequently breastfed. Additionally, it is not possible to measure the amount of milk the baby is taking when breastfeeding, which often makes the mother worry whether the infant is drinking adequate milk or is being fed too much (Hatfield, 2008).Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
Advantages and disadvantage of formula feeding
Infant formulas are valuable in particular circumstances. Many mothers forgo breastfeeding and use only to feed their infants. There are many advantages of formula feeding. For the majority of women, it is simpler to tell the amount of milk that the infant has taken which lessens their anxieties about the baby getting sufficient to eat. Formula feeding also permits other people to participate in the care of the infant preparing the formula, feeding bottles, and feeding the baby. Another concern of formula feeding is that some mothers are opposed to or repelled by the idea of breastfeeding. Formula feeding offers such women an alternative to nursing their infants. For some women, the supply of breast milk dries up before the infant is ready for weaning while some mothers do not produce adequate milk to supply the needs of the newborn (Klossner, 2006). Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
Formula feeding has numerous disadvantages. Formula milk is inferior in nutrition and lacks the immunologic properties offered by breast milk and it is more difficult for the infant to digest unlike breast milk. Formula feeding is used to supplement breast milk and meet the needs of the infant. Klossner (2006) alleges that there is a greater association between infants who are fed with formula and conditions like allergies and otitis media. The formula is expensive to purchase and if the family is operating on a limited budget, formula feeding creates extra financial needs. Several steps are involved in formula feeding. It requires mixing the formula powder with water, storing the mixed preparation, warming it when before feeding the infant, and cleaning all utensils. If all this is done in poor sanitary conditions, the infant can get diarrheal disease.Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
The impact that breastfeeding has on a working mother
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended in the first six months after the baby is born, but working mothers usually introduce formula feeding or wean their babies when they go back to work. According to Murtagh and Moulton (2011), the employment of women outside their homes, particularly in full-time employment negatively influences the duration of breastfeeding. Mothers in full-time employment often breastfeed for shorter intervals and durations compared to those in part-time employment or unemployment. The majority of mothers discontinue breastfeeding soon after they go back to work due to unaccommodating work environments, and lack sufficient time and private place to express breast milk. Other barriers include the perception of the employer that when infants are in the workplace, the productivity of the mother, and workplace regulations that ban mothers from going to work with their infants.Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.
Recent legislation related to breastfeeding
The Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2019 is a federal law that makes it mandatory for public federal buildings to offer a lactation room, except in instances where costs or space constraints are prohibitive. According to Weisberg (2020), the legislation necessitates that all federal buildings that are accessible by members of the public and have a public lavatory to offer a lactation room. The lactation room should not be a bathroom and it should be hygienic and accessible by breastfeeding mothers.Human Growth and Development- Breastfeeding.