Running head: SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 1

The Importance of Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers

April M. Moore

Mattie Q. Smith
ENG 100

June 19, 2014
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 2
Abstract
Breastfeeding has scientifically been proven to have an extensive range of benefits for both
mother and child. However, due to a variety of obstacles, many women are not willing or able to
initiate breastfeeding after birth, or continue breastfeeding the recommended minimal length of
time. By providing comprehensive support and education, the breastfeeding success rates will
increase, allowing more mothers and children to take advantage of a healthier future.
Keywords: breastfeeding benefits, breastfeeding support, childcare providers, infants,
lactation consultants, mothers, postpartum care
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 3
The Importance of Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers
Many national and international health organizations, such as the Center for Disease
Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP), and World Health Organization
(WHO) strongly recommend and encourage breastfeeding for all infants, as breastfeeding has a
myriad of benefits for both mother and child. WHO (Breastfeeding, 2014) states that, exclusive
breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with
appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. However, according to the
CDC (Breastfeeding Report Card, 2013), only 16.4% of babies in the United States are
exclusively breastfed at six months of age, and only 27% of babies are still breastfeeding at one
year of age. There are many factors that may cause women to not initiate breastfeeding, or to
cease breastfeeding earlier than recommended. By providing more support and education within
communities, breastfeeding rates will continue to rise, allowing more mothers and children to
improve their physical and emotional health.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has been scientifically proven to offer a wide variety of benefits to both
mother and child, starting from the very first nursing session following birth, and extending years
after the breastfeeding relationship has ended. These benefits not only affect the individuals as
described below, but have far-reaching effects on a larger scale, due to lower health care costs
and less environmental impact.
Benefits to Babies
Unlike formula and other milk substitutes, breastmilk has a dynamic composition with
over 200 known components that changes during a feeding session, as well as over the entire
course of lactation, depending on the childs age. Because breastmilk contains antibodies that
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 4
vary depending on maternal exposure to specific viruses and bacteria, a breastfed child is better
able to resist illnesses and diseases found in his or her environment. Breastmilk also contains
lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein, which has a direct antibiotic effect on bacteria in the gut,
such as staphylococci and E. coli (Healthy Nutrition, 2014). Breastfed babies have a lower risk
of asthma and other respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases, ear infections, allergies, type 2
diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and childhood cancers (Benefits of
Breastfeeding, n.d.).
Benefits to Mothers
There are also many benefits to women who breastfeed, especially for an extended period
of time. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, a hormone that, immediately after birth, can stimulate
uterine contractions, reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (Benefits of Breastfeeding,
n.d.). Oxytocin also acts as a neurotransmitter, playing a huge role in bonding, and developing a
sense of connection and trust (Horan, n.d.). Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of type 2
diabetes, ovarian and uterine cancer, and postpartum depression. In addition, women who
breastfeed for a total of two or more years reduce their chance of developing breast cancer by
24% (Benefits of Breastfeeding, 2005).
Importance of Support
Unfortunately, despite all the aforementioned benefits, many women choose not to
initiate breastfeeding after birth, or to not breastfeed for the recommended length of time. The
reasoning behind this complex and multifactorial decision is often rooted in lack of consistent,
knowledgeable support from family, health care professionals and childcare providers.
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 5
Support from Family
Family and close friends make up ones most inner circle of care, so it is crucial that these
members provide support to breastfeeding mothers. A study (Arora, 2000, p. e67) amongst
women in Pennsylvania surveyed women who had ceased breastfeeding, asking what would
have encouraged them to initiate breastfeeding and breastfeed for longer. 80% of women said
they would have felt more encouraged to continue if they had support from the babys father,
89.4% said the same about having encouragement from friends, and 90.9% reported wanting
more support from the babys grandmother or other family members. Another study (Grassley,
2007, pp. 23-26) gathered thoughts from grandmothers, asking their perception of breastfeeding
and what they wished they had known prior to their grandchild be born. Three main themes
emerged from those conversations, showing that grandmothers desired to be helpful and provide
support, be updated on their breastfeeding knowledge, and learn together with their daughters.
Prenatal and postnatal healthcare providers can utilize information from studies like these to
develop strategies that incorporate fathers, grandmothers and other family members into the
breastfeeding education and support process, increasing the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation
and continuance.
Support from Health Care Professionals
There are many challenges that may arise during breastfeeding, and mothers often have
questions and concerns they wish to address with a health care professional. Unfortunately,
studies show that not all women receive help that is conducive to successful breastfeeding. In
data gathered in an evaluation by Women, Infants and Children (WIC), it was found that
education and support from medical professionals handling prenatal and postnatal care, the
hospital staff following birth, and pediatricians at infant checks-ups were inadequate, and in
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 6
some cases, misinformed or nonexistent (Cross-Barnet, 2012, pp. 1926-1932). Receiving
consistent, accurate education and individualized counseling can increase the likelihood of a
mother attempting to breastfeed and continue to successfully breastfeed for a longer period of
time. Having medication professionals collaborate with lay workers, such as doulas and peer
counselors, to provide cohesive support could also increase breastfeeding rates.
Support from Child Care Providers
While breastfeeding has been proven to have many benefits, mothers often find the need
to return to work, which can create many obstacles leading to a decision to not even begin
breastfeeding, or the early cessation of breastfeeding. This is an especially critical issue to
address, as 59% of mothers return to work by the time their baby is 9 months old (Han, 2008),
depending on others to tend to their baby while they are away. One study (Batan, 2013, pp. 708-
713) looked at the types and number of supportive breastfeeding options offered by child care
providers and the breastfeeding rates at 6 months of age. It was found that the total number of
suppoters had a positive correlation with the percentage of mothers who were still breastfeeding
at six months. The supportive options that had a significant impact on breastfeeding rates were
offering to feed the baby expressed breastmilk, and allowing the mother to nurse her baby on-site
before and after work. This suggests that if child care providers offer supportive options in their
care of breastfed infants, the number of working mothers who chose to and are able to continue
breastfeeding will increase.
Conclusion
There are a huge number of health benefits to both mother and child who breastfeed,
especially for those who do so for a considerable period of time. However, there are also many
barriers that may prevent or deter women from initiating breastfeeding after birth or continuing
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS 7
to breastfeed the recommended minimum length of time. It is vital, for the health of women and
children, that communities on a local level as well as national and international organizations
come together to ensure all mothers receive accurate education and personalized support in
regards to breastfeeding.
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Works Cited

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