Breastfeeding Should Be Mandatory 

“They convinced our mothers that if a food item came in a bottle — or a can or a box or a cellophane bag — then it was somehow better for you than when it came to you free of charge via Mother Nature. An entire generation of us were introduced in our very first week to the concept that phony was better than real” quotes the Academy-Award winning filmmaker and best-selling author Michael Moore in his book Here Comes Trouble. It is true that despite its numerous benefits for both mother and child, in our days breastfeeding cessation takes place earlier than recommended (Brown et al.

, 2014). However, as breast milk is the best food source for optimal infant growth and development (Kramer and Kakuma, 2012; WHO, 2003), mothers should be encouraged to lactate.

Breast milk provides the best regulation of development, growth and metabolism for the neonate. It also provides the best immune protection as it compensates for delays in the development of the infant’s immune system.

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified writer

Proficient in: Importance Of Breastfeeding

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

More particularly, acquired secretory antibodies, such as immunoglobulins M and G, provide the infant with environment-specific immunoprotection (Newburg and Walker, 2007). Additionally, secretory IgA (sIgA), is present in a form that resists digestion and possesses critical immunoprotective properties (Newburg and Walker, 2007; Chirico et al., 2008) and by phagocytosis or cytotoxicity, sIgA inhibits the penetration of the gastrointestinal tract by pathogens (Brandtzaeg, 2003). In fact, children who breastfeed optimally appear to have lower risk of infection and illness than those who are breastfed for shorter period of time (Dieterich et al.

, 2013).

What’s more, lactation confers its immunoprotection by promoting the development of a healthy gut microbiome (Isolauri, 2012). Breast milk contains digestion-resisting components such as microbiota like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and oligosaccharides, which serve as their fuel (Newgurg and Walker, 2007; Newgurg et al., 2005). Those two components, favor the development of a healthy intestinal microflora, which prevents inflammatory responses (Goldman, 2000) and contributes to regulating the expression of genes affecting adipose deposition and metabolism (Kau et al., 2011). Additionally, hormones, growth factors and neuropeptides contained in breast milk affect self-regulation of food intake (Savino and Liguori, 2008), possibly accounting for the better-regulated food intake observed in breastfed than formula-fed infants (Li et al., 2010). Furthermore, the lower protein concentration of breastmilk can help protecting the infant against adiposity later in life (Singhal and Lanigan, 2007).

Finally, it has been proposed that breastfeeding could be a marker of parenting practices that promote child development (Jacobson et al., 2013) as breastfeeding mothers are more likely to provide a cognitively stimulating environment for their infants (Der et al., 2006). Interestingly, adults who breastfed as children appear to have higher scores in intelligence tests than formula fed ones (Jimenez-Cruz, 2010).

Apart from the benefits for the neonate, lactation presents significant maternal advantages. Greater duration and intensity of breastfeeding is associated with greater postpartum weight loss (Baker et al., 2008). It also improves insulin sensitivity, which decreases during pregnancy and can cause gestational diabetes and even increase the risk for type 2 diabetes later in life (Stuebe and Rich-Edwards, 2009). Additionally, lactation helps to regulate the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides that increase during pregnancy and is associated with lower risk for subsequent metabolic and cardiovascular disease (Stuebe and Rich-Edwards, 2009; Schwarz et al., 2009; Natland et al., 2012). Furthermore, breastfeeding facilitates the bonding between mother and child (Leung and Sauve, 2005). Most importantly, it is found that lactation decreases the risk for reproductive cancers such as ovarian and breast cancer (Dieterich et al., 2012).

However, despite its indisputable contribution to the overall health of both mother and infant, it isn’t rare that women stop lactating before the recommended 6 months. During the first six weeks postpartum, women are at greatest risk of lactation cessation (Kronborg and Vaeth, 2004; Sheehan, 2001). Among the reasons for ceasing to lactate, mothers mention concerns about milk supply and difficulties with breastfeeding technique. Lack of knowledge about breastfeeding as well as lack of previous experience are linked with perceptions of low milk, as primiparous and younger mothers are more likely to report cessation due to low milk supply (Brown et al., 2014). Mothers who smoke appear to have significantly decreased milk production (Blyth et al., 2002) which may account for their decreased motivation to continue breastfeeding (Hopkinson et al., 1992). On the other hand, maternal attitude plays a crucial role in lactation duration. Women who perceive breastfeeding to be healthier, easier and not restrictive breastfeed for longer (Dennis, 2002).

To conclude, breastfeeding can be beneficial for both mother and child in numerous ways. Boosting immunity, promoting a healthy gut microbiome, regulating appetite, reducing the risk for diabetes, facilitating weight loss postpartum are only a few of its contributions. However, many mothers may cease to lactate early, for practical, social and psychological reasons.

References

1. Kau1 AL, Ahern PP, Griffin NW, Goodman AL, Gordon JI, Human nutrition, the gut microbiome and the immune system, Nature 2011;474(7351):327–36.
2. Baker JL, Gamborg M, Heitmann BL, et al., Breastfeeding reduces postpartum weight retention, Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88(6):1543–51.
3. Brandtzaeg P., Mucosal immunity: integration between mother and the breast-fed infant, Vaccine 2003;21(24):3382–8.
4. Catherine R.L. Brown, MSc, Linda Dodds, PhD, Alexandra Legge, MD, Janet Bryanton, RN, PhD, Sonia Semenic, RN, PhD, Factors influencing the reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding, Can J Public Health 2014;105(3):e179-e185.
5. Chirico G, Marzollo R, Cortinovis S, et al., Antiinfective properties of human milk, J Nutr 2008;138(9):1801s–6s.
6. Dieterich CM, Felice JP, O’Sullivan, Rasmussen KM, Breastfeeding and Health Outcomes for the Mother-Infant Dyad, Pediatr Clin N Am 60 (2013) 31–48, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2012.09.010
7. Der G, Batty GD, Deary IJ., Effect of breast feeding on intelligence in children: prospective study, sibling pairs analysis, and meta-analysis, BMJ 2006; 333: 945
8. Goldman AS., Modulation of the gastrointestinal tract of infants by human milk. Interfaces and interactions. An evolutionary perspective, J Nutr 2000;130(Suppl 2):426s–31s.
9. Isolauri E., Development of healthy gut microbiota early in life, J Paediatr Child Health 2012;48(Suppl 3):1–6.
10. Jacobson SW, Carter RC, Jacobson JL., Breastfeeding as a proxy for benefits of parenting skills for later reading readiness and cognitive competence, Journal of Pediatrics, 2014; 164: 440–2.
11. Jimenez-Cruz A, Bacardi-Gascon M, Pichardo-Osuna A, Mandujano-Trujillo Z, Castillo-Ruiz O, Infant and toddlers’ feeding practices and obesity amongst low-income families in Mexico, Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2010, 19:316–323.
12. Kramer MS, Kakuma R., The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;8:CD003517.
13. Leung AK, Sauve RS., Breast is best for babies, J Natl Med Assoc 2005;97(7):1010–9.
14.  Li R, Grummer-Strawn LM, Fein SB., Do infants fed from bottles lack self-regulation of milk intake compared with directly breastfed infants?, Pediatrics2010;125(6):e1386–93.
15. Natland ST, Nilsen TIL, Midthjell K, et al., Lactation and cardiovascular risk factors in mothers in a population-based study: the HUNT-study, Int Breastfeed J 2012;7:8.
16. Newburg DS, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Morrow AL., Human milk glycans protect infants against enteric pathogens, Annu Rev Nutr 2005;25(1):37–58.
17. Newburg DS, Walker WA., Protection of the neonate by the innate immune system of developing gut and of human milk, Pediatr Res 2007;61(1):2–8.
18. Savino F, Liguori SA., Update on breast milk hormones: leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin, Clin Nutr 2008;27(1):42–7.
19. Schwarz EB, Ray RM, Stuebe AM, et al., Duration of lactation and risk factors for maternal cardiovascular disease, Obstet Gynecol 2009;113(5):974–82.
20. Singhal A, Lanigan J., Breastfeeding, early growth and later obesity, Obes Rev 2007;8(Suppl 1):51–4.
21.  Stuebe AM, Rich-Edwards JW., The reset hypothesis: lactation and maternal metabolism, Am J Perinatol 2009;26(1):81–8.
22.  World Health Organization, [http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/]
23.  World Health Organization, Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding, 2003. Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2003/9241562218.pdf (Accessed August 25, 2013).
24. Brown C, Dodds L, Legge A, Bryanton J, Semenic S, Factors influencing the reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding, Can J Public Health 2014;105(3):e179-e185.
25. Kronborg H, Vaeth M, The influence of psychosocial factors on the duration of breastfeeding, Scand J Public Health 2004;32:210-16.
26. Sheehan D, Krueger P, Watt S, Sword W, Bridle B., The Ontario Mother and Infant Survey: Breastfeeding outcomes, J Hum Lact 2001;17(3):211-19.
27. Hopkinson JM, Schanler RJ, Fraley JK, et al, Milk production by mothers of premature infants: influence of cigarette smoking. Pediatrics 1992;90(6):934–8.
28. Blyth R, Creedy D, Dennis C, et al, Effect of maternal confidence on breastfeeding duration: an application of breastfeeding self-efficacy theory, Birth 2002;29(4):278–84.
29. Dennis CL, Breastfeeding initiation and duration: a 1990–2000 literature review, J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2002;31(1):12–32.