Breastfeeding Promotion
BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION
INTRODUCTION:
This essay is focused on breastfeeding as a key public health issue in health promotion in midwifery practice. After presenting a case study involving a client who has a potential breastfeeding issue, the aim will is to achieve a positive outcome using health promotion models. Relevant theories and literature are then explored and the implications for midwifery practice and care planning critically evaluated.
The protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding are one a vital convern in public health throughout Europe. It is widely acknowledged that low rates and early cessation of breastfeeding have important health and social implications for women, children and the community as a whole.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions.
There is strong research support for the claim that breast milk is the most appropriate nourishment for most infants. The benefits of breastfeeding are physical, emotional, and economic. Therefore, mothers should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed, though they should not be made to feel guilty or inadequate if circumstances interfere with their ability to do so.
CLINICAL SCENARIO
The chosen scenario involves Sam, a pseudonym to protect her anonymity and thus respect confidentiality (NMC, 2008). Sam is a 22-year-old British primipara currently living with her parents because she is unemployed. However, she has good emotional and economic support from her partner and parents. At the booking interview, which she attended with her boyfriend, she was considered by the midwife as low-risk because she had no previous social, medical or obstetric problems. Both cooperated well, but they clearly didn’t have enough information about the process of motherhood and
INTRODUCTION:
This essay is focused on breastfeeding as a key public health issue in health promotion in midwifery practice. After presenting a case study involving a client who has a potential breastfeeding issue, the aim will is to achieve a positive outcome using health promotion models. Relevant theories and literature are then explored and the implications for midwifery practice and care planning critically evaluated.
The protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding are one a vital convern in public health throughout Europe. It is widely acknowledged that low rates and early cessation of breastfeeding have important health and social implications for women, children and the community as a whole.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions.
There is strong research support for the claim that breast milk is the most appropriate nourishment for most infants. The benefits of breastfeeding are physical, emotional, and economic. Therefore, mothers should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed, though they should not be made to feel guilty or inadequate if circumstances interfere with their ability to do so.
CLINICAL SCENARIO
The chosen scenario involves Sam, a pseudonym to protect her anonymity and thus respect confidentiality (NMC, 2008). Sam is a 22-year-old British primipara currently living with her parents because she is unemployed. However, she has good emotional and economic support from her partner and parents. At the booking interview, which she attended with her boyfriend, she was considered by the midwife as low-risk because she had no previous social, medical or obstetric problems. Both cooperated well, but they clearly didn’t have enough information about the process of motherhood and
References: UNICEF (2000) The UNICEF UK baby friendly initiative: A brief guide. Geneva: UNICEF. World Health Organization (1998) Evidence for the ten steps to successful breastfeeding. WHO. Geneva. Nursing & Midwifery Council (2007) The Code. London: NMC. NICE (2008) Improving the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children in low-income households Dyson, L., McCormick, F.M., Renfrew, M.J. (2005) Interventions for promoting the initiation of breastfeeding MIDIRS (2005) Breastfeeding or bottlefeeding Midwifery 2020 (2010) The Core Role of the Midwife Workstream Final Report. Available at: http://www.midwifery2020.org/documents/2020/Core_Role.pdf. Maureen Raynor and Carole England (2010) Psychology for midwives pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium. Jacqueline Dunkley. (2000) Healthy promotion in midwifery practice: A resource for health professionals. Judy Orme, Jane Powell, Pat Taylor and Melanie Grey (2007) Public health for the 21st century; New perspectives on policy, participation and practice. Marsha Walker (2011) Breastfeeding management for the clinician. Using the evidence. Nursing and midwifery council (2004) Midwives Rules and Standars , London: NMC Wilkinson, R Leap N (1991) Helping you to make your own decisions: antenatal and postnatal groups in Deptford, SE London.