RUA: Breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants for the first 6 months of life with continued breastfeeding through the first 1 to 2 years of life while introducing appropriate complementary foods (CDC, 2024).
Statistics:
-Percentage of infants who are breastfed ever: 84.1%
-Percentage of infants who are breastfed at 6 months old: 59.8%
-Percentage of infants who are breastfed at 1 year old: 39.5%
-60% of mothers do not breastfeed as long as they intend to due to “issues with lactation and latching, concerns about infant nutrition and weight, concern about maternal medications, unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave, cultural norms and lack of family support, and unsupportive hospital practices and policies” (CDC, 2024).
Risk factors and benefits
● Benefits: (Lubis et al., 2024).
– Source of nutrition for baby to promote healthy growth and development
– Breastfeeding is more cost efficient than formula, it’s free
– Increases bonding between mom and baby
– Passive immunity, promotes a more developed immune system, and sick less
often
– Reduces the risk of many health complications for both mom and baby
● Risks:
– Harmful things can be passed to baby (drugs, alcohol, diseases)
Professional and community-based resources
OASH Office on Women’s Health government site and hotline:
– Aid in breastfeeding teaching, 24/7 hotline for questions and concerns , and help locate available resources close to you (OASH Office on Women’s Health, 2021).
– 800-994-9662
The Women’s Hospital of Texas HCA:
– “We are dedicated to providing breastfeeding education and support to help you and your new baby get off to the best start” (The Woman’s Hospital of Texas HCA, n.d.)
– Support groups, 1 on 1 classes, lactation consultant, and trained professionals are available to answer questions and concerns.
– https://womanshospital.com/patient-education/breastfeeding-support
Health promotion recommendations
– The AAP recommends for mothers to breastfeed 6 months after birth and continue breastfeed 6 months after along with complementary foods due to the benefits of breast milk
– Provide antenatal and postpartum education to mother to improve maternal attitudes and and knowledge towards breastfeeding; it can help improve the mother and infant have better outcomes during breastfeeding
– Provide education regarding foods and substances and how they can transfer to the newborn; substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana should be avoided due to the possible effects they can have on the infant
Conclusion
References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024, July 31). Breastfeeding Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/facts.html
Dukuzumuremyi, J. P., Acheampong, K., Abesig, J., & Luo, J. (2020). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in
East Africa: A systematic review. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00313-9
Lubis, P. N., Saputra, M., & Rabbani, M. W. (2024). A systematic review of the benefits of breastfeeding against postpartum depression in
low-middle-income countries. Journal of Mental Health (Abingdon, England), 1-. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2024.2361232
Meek, J. Y., & Noble, L. (2022). Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 150(1).
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057988
OASH Office on Women’s Health. (2021, February 18). Breastfeeding. https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding
Shaw, R. J., & Horwitz, S. M. (Eds.). (2020). Treatment of psychological distress in parents of premature infants : PTSD in the NICU. American
Psychiatric Association Publishing.
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas HCA. (n.d.). Breastfeeding Support. https://womanshospital.com/patient-education/breastfeeding-support