Breast Feeding
| Breast Feeding | Kristin Allard PSY223 (75Z2)Written Assignment 1Question 1 | | | |
Every day thousands of women give birth and have to make the choice between breast feeding and bottle feeding their babies. In the past breast feeding was considered the norm but in recent decades many women are now choosing to bottle feed. According to healthychildren.org formula contains the basic nutrients found in breast milk that a baby needs and many women think it is more convenient. While either option is commonly accepted today, breast feeding is the recommended method by experts for a number of reasons and offers health benefits for newborns and mothers that formula can’t compete with. Breast feeding offers a plethora of benefits to both the mother and the newborn. This method gives the infant antibodies from the mother that protects it from infectious diseases, promotes the growth of healthy bacteria within its body, and reduces the risk of the infant developing allergies to certain things later in life; these benefits cannot be attained from using formula (Pediatricis). Breast milk is always readily available and doesn’t require preparation. Breast milk is also easier to digest and can reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. Women who breast feed form strong intimate bonds with their baby and recover from childbirth quicker; this is due to the release of hormones such as oxytocin in the mother’s body during the act of breast feeding (Pediatricis). Lastly, the obvious advantage of breast milk being free makes this choice all the more appealing. While the advantages of breast feeding are numerous, a few conditions exist that cause this to not the best method for some mothers or babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that mothers with certain diseases, such as HIV, or taking any kind of radioactive medication or receiving chemotherapy should not breast feed. Some woman chose not to breast feed because it hurts their breasts or is
Every day thousands of women give birth and have to make the choice between breast feeding and bottle feeding their babies. In the past breast feeding was considered the norm but in recent decades many women are now choosing to bottle feed. According to healthychildren.org formula contains the basic nutrients found in breast milk that a baby needs and many women think it is more convenient. While either option is commonly accepted today, breast feeding is the recommended method by experts for a number of reasons and offers health benefits for newborns and mothers that formula can’t compete with. Breast feeding offers a plethora of benefits to both the mother and the newborn. This method gives the infant antibodies from the mother that protects it from infectious diseases, promotes the growth of healthy bacteria within its body, and reduces the risk of the infant developing allergies to certain things later in life; these benefits cannot be attained from using formula (Pediatricis). Breast milk is always readily available and doesn’t require preparation. Breast milk is also easier to digest and can reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. Women who breast feed form strong intimate bonds with their baby and recover from childbirth quicker; this is due to the release of hormones such as oxytocin in the mother’s body during the act of breast feeding (Pediatricis). Lastly, the obvious advantage of breast milk being free makes this choice all the more appealing. While the advantages of breast feeding are numerous, a few conditions exist that cause this to not the best method for some mothers or babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that mothers with certain diseases, such as HIV, or taking any kind of radioactive medication or receiving chemotherapy should not breast feed. Some woman chose not to breast feed because it hurts their breasts or is
Cited: Elizabeth Baldwin, JW. "A Look at Enacting Breastfeeding Legislation." 4 April 1999. <http://www.llli.org/law/lawenact.html>. Pediatricis, American Academy of. healthychildren.org. 2013. <http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/pages/Breastfeeding-Benefits-Your-Baby 's-Immune-System.aspx>.