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For many years, researchers have studied the topic of breastfeeding in hopes of finding if it is, in fact, truly beneficial to the development of a baby. The researched articles provide opposing arguments to this topic. Jung (2015) stressed that the research behind the benefits of breastfeeding is minimal and that breastfeeding should be a choice ultimately made by the mother. On the other hand, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2011) argues that breast milk is not only unique, but it provides benefits to health as well as to the economy and environment.
Often times, the arguments for and against breast feeding are compelling and lead to many different viewpoints. This paper observes the research of both articles in order to provide a deeper understanding of the effects of breastfeeding on healthy development.
In Jung’s (2015) article, she provides a personal account paired with evidence from varying sources to explain her view on breast feeding. Jung begins by explaining how her interest in the topic at hand began with her very own pregnancy and the incessant pressures from those around her to breast feed and what the benefits would be if she did (Jung, 2015).
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“ Ok, let me say I’m extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. I really enjoy the effort put in. ”
This attitude upset Jung because of the implication that if she chose not to breast feed she could not properly bond with her child. This led her to delve deeper into the issue and find out for herself if all the claims were in fact reasonable. Jung (2015) found that in America, breast feeding numbers were similar to other developed countries and among the longest in time.
Even more surprising is that majority of American women are breast pumping as opposed to breast feeding (Jung, 2015). Jung associates the popularity surrounding breast pumping to be rooted in the acts passed by the government such as the Affordable Care Act. This act ensures that mothers be given time to pump breast milk at work and for insurance companies to cover costs of breast pumps. Jung explains that this practice is overwhelmingly popular in America compared to other countries because the recommend time to breastfeed is much longer than the given paid maternity leave (Jung, 2015). Jung also included research from the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that explains that the research behind breastfeeding, while not necessarily false, is often inconclusive and contains too many confounding variables which ultimately makes the studies difficult to trust (Jung, 2015). Majority of doctors agree that there are benefits to breastfeeding, but these benefits are minimal. Research provided from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality backs this up by giving the example that one out of every six breastfed kids will be prevented from getting an ear infection (Jung, 2015). Jung also found that the stigma around choosing not to breast feed could have deeper connotations to race and class. Her statistics showed that breast feeding was more common for wealthier mothers and she used this to further the argument that not breast feeding is being used to label those who are a minority and are less wealthy as bad parents because of this decision (Jung, 2015). Jung concludes the article by explaining that instead of shaming women for not breast feeding we should be looking into the facts present and making the proper decisions for ourselves (Jung, 2015).
On the other hand, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2011) article takes a less personal approach and writes solely of the research behind the benefits of breastfeeding by outlining the article into several subcategories. The article begins with the most widespread notion about breast feeding and that is its health benefits. The article discusses how the effects on health are plentiful because each mother’s breast milk is different and each mother’s breast milk is biologically “perfect” for their baby (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). The article also mentioned that formula could cause health risks based on some studies conducted but also warned that correlation does not mean causation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2011) also explains that breast feeding can have psychosocial effects as well. Breastfeeding can have a psychosocial impact on the mother and the child because it creates a stronger bond between them. It can also lower the mother’s risk of postpartum depression (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011).
In addition, the article also explains the economic and environmental benefits of breastfeeding. Economically, mothers who breast feed will end up saving $3.6 billion annually because they do not have to purchase formula and they will also have a healthier baby, in turn resulting in less doctor visits and more time to work (Healthy People 2010). Environmentally, breast feeding is more advantageous because it does require any packaging like formula does thus not adding to the landfills. There is also nothing to transport when breastfeeding, therefore there is no expenditure of greenhouse gases (“The Surgeon General”, 2011).
Both articles pose good evidence for their arguments however I agree with the viewpoint of Jung (2015) in that women should not feel forced to breastfeed. I do recognize the statistics and evidence provided in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2011), however, much of this evidence is not strong enough to definitively say that the choice to not breastfeed is detrimental. Jung (2015) also made the important point that much of this propaganda around pushing mothers to breastfeed has underlying motives not fully concerned with the child’s health alone. Breastfeeding is no doubt a one of a kind experience, but it should not be something that is forced upon women.
Effects of Breastfeeding on Healthy Development. (2021, Aug 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/effects-of-breastfeeding-on-healthy-development-essay
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