Ieri sera, stanchissima ma, molto soddisfatta mi sono seduta al computer ed ho incominciato ad impostare il il nuovo blog "Ostetriche Formatrici"
il link è
http://ostetricheformatrici.blogspot.com
Non appena avrò i vostri indirizzi e-mail li aggiungerò in modo che siate aggiornate ad ogni novità e che possiate contribuire personalmente alla crescita di questo neonato blog.
Tanti cari saluti a tutte/tutti (Franco compreso).
Marina
Visualizzazione post con etichetta Breastfeeding. Mostra tutti i post
Visualizzazione post con etichetta Breastfeeding. Mostra tutti i post
sabato 22 novembre 2008
mercoledì 29 ottobre 2008
Promotion and support of breastfeeding
MEDLINE
Counseling Interventions Recommended to Promote and Support Breast-Feeding
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MDCME Author: Charles Vega, MD
Release Date: October 23, 2008;
Authors and Disclosures
Laurie Barclay, MDDisclosure: Laurie Barclay, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Charles Vega, MDDisclosure: Charles Vega, MD, has disclosed an advisor/consultant relationship to Novartis, Inc.
Laurie Scudder, MS, NP-CDisclosure: Laurie Scudder, MS, NP-C, has disclosed no relevant financial information.
Brande Nicole MartinDisclosure: Brande Nicole Martin has disclosed no relevant financial information.
October 23, 2008 — The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued an updated statement recommending counseling interventions during pregnancy and after birth to promote and support breast-feeding. The updated guidelines and evidence review are published in the October 21 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
"In children, breastfeeding has been associated with a reduction in the risk for acute otitis media, nonspecific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, childhood leukemia, and the sudden infant death syndrome," write Mei Chung, MPH, from Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and coauthors of the accompanying evidence review. "In mothers, a history of lactation has been associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and breast and ovarian cancer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, some of the obstacles to initiation and continuation of breastfeeding include insufficient prenatal education about breastfeeding, disruptive maternity care practices, and lack of family and broad societal support."
The goal of the evidence review was to evaluate the efficacy of primary care–based interventions to promote breast-feeding in breast-feeding rates and child and maternal health outcomes.
The reviewers performed electronic searches of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL from September 2001 to February 2008 as well as references of selected articles. Inclusion criteria for the review were English-language publications describing randomized controlled trials of interventions initiated in primary care to promote breast-feeding, primarily in developed countries.
Pertinent data reviewed by the authors included characteristics of interventions and comparators, study setting and design, clinical and demographic characteristics of the study sample, the proportion of infants continuing to be breast-fed for various durations, and health outcomes in infant and mother.
Of 38 randomized controlled trials identified that met inclusion criteria, 36 took place in developed countries. Breast-feeding promotion interventions in developed countries were associated with significantly increased rates of short-term (1 - 3 months) and long-term (6 - 8 months) exclusive breast-feeding, based on random-effects meta-analyses. Rate ratios were 1.28 for short-term rates (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 - 1.48) and 1.44 for long-term rates (95% CI, 1.13 - 1.84).
Compared with either prenatal or postnatal interventions alone, combining prenatal and postnatal breast-feeding interventions had a greater effect on increasing breast-feeding durations, according to the results of subgroup analyses. In increasing the short-term breast-feeding rate, interventions associated with a component of lay support, such as peer support or peer counseling, were more effective than usual care.
Limitations of this review included clinical and methodologic heterogeneity, precluding extensive meta-analyses; and inability to obtain reliable estimates for the isolated effects of each component of multicomponent interventions.
"Evidence suggests that breastfeeding interventions are more effective than usual care in increasing short- and long-term breastfeeding rates," the review authors write. "Combined pre- and postnatal interventions and inclusion of lay support in a multicomponent intervention may be beneficial."
On the basis of the above-described systematic evidence review, the USPSTF evaluated the efficacy of interventions to promote and support breast-feeding that were initiated in, conducted in, or referred to primary care. The resulting guidelines are an update of the 2003 USPSTF recommendation on counseling to promote breast-feeding.
Because the USPSTF concluded that there was moderate certainty that interventions to promote and support breast-feeding have a moderate net benefit, the updated statement recommends interventions during pregnancy and after birth to promote and support breast-feeding (grade B level recommendation).
"There is convincing evidence that breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits for children and adequate evidence that breastfeeding provides moderate health benefits for women," write Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver, and colleagues. "Adequate evidence indicates that interventions to promote and support breastfeeding increase the rates of initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding. No published studies focus on the potential direct harms from interventions to promote and support breastfeeding."
Although the review did not include a search for possible harms associated with breast-feeding itself, the USPSTF concluded that the potential harms of interventions to promote and support breast-feeding were no greater than small.
The task force noted that interventions including both prenatal and postnatal components may be most effective at increasing duration of breast-feeding, and they also recommended considering multiple intervention strategies. These may include formal breast-feeding education for mothers and their families, direct support of mothers during breast-feeding, training primary care staff regarding breast-feeding and various techniques for breast-feeding support, and peer support.
"Although the activities of individual clinicians to promote and support breastfeeding are likely to be positive, additional benefit may result from efforts that are integrated into systems of care," the statement authors conclude. "System-level interventions can incorporate clinician and team member training and policy development, and through senior leadership support and institutionalization, these initiatives may be more likely to be sustained over time. Although outside the scope of this recommendation and evidence review, community-based interventions to promote and support breastfeeding, such as direct peer-to-peer support, social marketing initiatives, workplace initiatives, and public policy actions, may offer additional sizeable benefits."
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services, supported this evidence review and statement. The authors of the statement have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:560-564, 565-582.
Clinical Context
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the preferred choice for feeding infants, and the goals of the Healthy People 2010 initiative includes a target of 75% of mothers initiating breast-feeding their infants. In the United States, the rate of new mothers initiating breast-feeding was 73% in 2005, and 20% of mothers breast-fed their infants exclusively for 12 months. These rates in 2005 were higher vs 2002.
In its last recommendation in 2003, the USPSTF recommended counseling to promote higher rates of breast-feeding. The current recommendation uses the results of a systematic review of data available from January 2007 to update this recommendation. The results of this review and new recommendation are described in the "Study Highlights."
Study Highlights
Breast-feeding has been associated with numerous health benefits for both mother and infant. Breast-feeding during infancy has been associated with lower rates of otitis media, respiratory tract infection, and gastrointestinal tract infection. Later in childhood, breast-fed children have a lower risk for asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes vs children who were not breast-fed. Finally, breast-feeding is associated with lower risks for breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.
The systematic review included 38 randomized controlled trials of primary care–initiated interventions to promote breast-feeding. Study settings included primary care offices, hospital settings, and patient homes. The majority of these studies were located in developed countries.
Overall, breast-feeding promotion increased the odds ratio of breast-feeding during 1 to 3 months by a factor of 1.28. These programs increased the odds ratio of breast-feeding during 6 to 8 months by 1.44.
One study from Belarus, a developing country, demonstrated that a program to promote breast-feeding not only improved rates of breast-feeding but also reduced rates of gastrointestinal tract infection and atopic dermatitis in children.
Many interventions used multiple modalities to promote breast-feeding, so it was difficult to identify the most effective individual tool to increase the rate of breast-feeding. However, interventions built into health systems seemed to be the most effective, and combining prenatal and postnatal interventions was more effective than either type of intervention alone.
Interventions involving lay workers appeared more effective than usual care in promoting higher rates of breast-feeding.
No harms were reported in research studying interventions to support breast-feeding.
Overall, the USPSTF gives a grade B recommendation to interventions to promote and support breast-feeding. This level means that there is a high certainty of a moderate degree of benefit for these interventions or that a moderate certainty that the benefit is moderate to substantial.
The authors of the current recommendation call for further research into the individual components of breast-feeding promotion programs as well as cost-benefit analyses of these programs.
Pearls for Practice
Breast-feeding during infancy has been associated with lower rates of otitis media, respiratory tract infection, and gastrointestinal tract infection. Later in childhood, breast-fed children have a lower risk for asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes vs children who were not breast-fed. Finally, breast-feeding is associated with lower risks for breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.
The USPSTF recommends measures to promote and support breast-feeding in the prenatal and postnatal periods (a grade B recommendation).
Counseling Interventions Recommended to Promote and Support Breast-Feeding
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MDCME Author: Charles Vega, MD
Release Date: October 23, 2008;
Authors and Disclosures
Laurie Barclay, MDDisclosure: Laurie Barclay, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Charles Vega, MDDisclosure: Charles Vega, MD, has disclosed an advisor/consultant relationship to Novartis, Inc.
Laurie Scudder, MS, NP-CDisclosure: Laurie Scudder, MS, NP-C, has disclosed no relevant financial information.
Brande Nicole MartinDisclosure: Brande Nicole Martin has disclosed no relevant financial information.
October 23, 2008 — The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued an updated statement recommending counseling interventions during pregnancy and after birth to promote and support breast-feeding. The updated guidelines and evidence review are published in the October 21 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
"In children, breastfeeding has been associated with a reduction in the risk for acute otitis media, nonspecific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, childhood leukemia, and the sudden infant death syndrome," write Mei Chung, MPH, from Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and coauthors of the accompanying evidence review. "In mothers, a history of lactation has been associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and breast and ovarian cancer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, some of the obstacles to initiation and continuation of breastfeeding include insufficient prenatal education about breastfeeding, disruptive maternity care practices, and lack of family and broad societal support."
The goal of the evidence review was to evaluate the efficacy of primary care–based interventions to promote breast-feeding in breast-feeding rates and child and maternal health outcomes.
The reviewers performed electronic searches of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL from September 2001 to February 2008 as well as references of selected articles. Inclusion criteria for the review were English-language publications describing randomized controlled trials of interventions initiated in primary care to promote breast-feeding, primarily in developed countries.
Pertinent data reviewed by the authors included characteristics of interventions and comparators, study setting and design, clinical and demographic characteristics of the study sample, the proportion of infants continuing to be breast-fed for various durations, and health outcomes in infant and mother.
Of 38 randomized controlled trials identified that met inclusion criteria, 36 took place in developed countries. Breast-feeding promotion interventions in developed countries were associated with significantly increased rates of short-term (1 - 3 months) and long-term (6 - 8 months) exclusive breast-feeding, based on random-effects meta-analyses. Rate ratios were 1.28 for short-term rates (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 - 1.48) and 1.44 for long-term rates (95% CI, 1.13 - 1.84).
Compared with either prenatal or postnatal interventions alone, combining prenatal and postnatal breast-feeding interventions had a greater effect on increasing breast-feeding durations, according to the results of subgroup analyses. In increasing the short-term breast-feeding rate, interventions associated with a component of lay support, such as peer support or peer counseling, were more effective than usual care.
Limitations of this review included clinical and methodologic heterogeneity, precluding extensive meta-analyses; and inability to obtain reliable estimates for the isolated effects of each component of multicomponent interventions.
"Evidence suggests that breastfeeding interventions are more effective than usual care in increasing short- and long-term breastfeeding rates," the review authors write. "Combined pre- and postnatal interventions and inclusion of lay support in a multicomponent intervention may be beneficial."
On the basis of the above-described systematic evidence review, the USPSTF evaluated the efficacy of interventions to promote and support breast-feeding that were initiated in, conducted in, or referred to primary care. The resulting guidelines are an update of the 2003 USPSTF recommendation on counseling to promote breast-feeding.
Because the USPSTF concluded that there was moderate certainty that interventions to promote and support breast-feeding have a moderate net benefit, the updated statement recommends interventions during pregnancy and after birth to promote and support breast-feeding (grade B level recommendation).
"There is convincing evidence that breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits for children and adequate evidence that breastfeeding provides moderate health benefits for women," write Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver, and colleagues. "Adequate evidence indicates that interventions to promote and support breastfeeding increase the rates of initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding. No published studies focus on the potential direct harms from interventions to promote and support breastfeeding."
Although the review did not include a search for possible harms associated with breast-feeding itself, the USPSTF concluded that the potential harms of interventions to promote and support breast-feeding were no greater than small.
The task force noted that interventions including both prenatal and postnatal components may be most effective at increasing duration of breast-feeding, and they also recommended considering multiple intervention strategies. These may include formal breast-feeding education for mothers and their families, direct support of mothers during breast-feeding, training primary care staff regarding breast-feeding and various techniques for breast-feeding support, and peer support.
"Although the activities of individual clinicians to promote and support breastfeeding are likely to be positive, additional benefit may result from efforts that are integrated into systems of care," the statement authors conclude. "System-level interventions can incorporate clinician and team member training and policy development, and through senior leadership support and institutionalization, these initiatives may be more likely to be sustained over time. Although outside the scope of this recommendation and evidence review, community-based interventions to promote and support breastfeeding, such as direct peer-to-peer support, social marketing initiatives, workplace initiatives, and public policy actions, may offer additional sizeable benefits."
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services, supported this evidence review and statement. The authors of the statement have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:560-564, 565-582.
Clinical Context
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the preferred choice for feeding infants, and the goals of the Healthy People 2010 initiative includes a target of 75% of mothers initiating breast-feeding their infants. In the United States, the rate of new mothers initiating breast-feeding was 73% in 2005, and 20% of mothers breast-fed their infants exclusively for 12 months. These rates in 2005 were higher vs 2002.
In its last recommendation in 2003, the USPSTF recommended counseling to promote higher rates of breast-feeding. The current recommendation uses the results of a systematic review of data available from January 2007 to update this recommendation. The results of this review and new recommendation are described in the "Study Highlights."
Study Highlights
Breast-feeding has been associated with numerous health benefits for both mother and infant. Breast-feeding during infancy has been associated with lower rates of otitis media, respiratory tract infection, and gastrointestinal tract infection. Later in childhood, breast-fed children have a lower risk for asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes vs children who were not breast-fed. Finally, breast-feeding is associated with lower risks for breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.
The systematic review included 38 randomized controlled trials of primary care–initiated interventions to promote breast-feeding. Study settings included primary care offices, hospital settings, and patient homes. The majority of these studies were located in developed countries.
Overall, breast-feeding promotion increased the odds ratio of breast-feeding during 1 to 3 months by a factor of 1.28. These programs increased the odds ratio of breast-feeding during 6 to 8 months by 1.44.
One study from Belarus, a developing country, demonstrated that a program to promote breast-feeding not only improved rates of breast-feeding but also reduced rates of gastrointestinal tract infection and atopic dermatitis in children.
Many interventions used multiple modalities to promote breast-feeding, so it was difficult to identify the most effective individual tool to increase the rate of breast-feeding. However, interventions built into health systems seemed to be the most effective, and combining prenatal and postnatal interventions was more effective than either type of intervention alone.
Interventions involving lay workers appeared more effective than usual care in promoting higher rates of breast-feeding.
No harms were reported in research studying interventions to support breast-feeding.
Overall, the USPSTF gives a grade B recommendation to interventions to promote and support breast-feeding. This level means that there is a high certainty of a moderate degree of benefit for these interventions or that a moderate certainty that the benefit is moderate to substantial.
The authors of the current recommendation call for further research into the individual components of breast-feeding promotion programs as well as cost-benefit analyses of these programs.
Pearls for Practice
Breast-feeding during infancy has been associated with lower rates of otitis media, respiratory tract infection, and gastrointestinal tract infection. Later in childhood, breast-fed children have a lower risk for asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes vs children who were not breast-fed. Finally, breast-feeding is associated with lower risks for breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.
The USPSTF recommends measures to promote and support breast-feeding in the prenatal and postnatal periods (a grade B recommendation).
giovedì 9 ottobre 2008
TEN TOP REASONS TO BREASFEED
Come and see the 10 top reasons to breastfeed
http://www.babyfriendly.ca/challenge/2008/BFC2008_Top10_Handout.pdf
http://www.babyfriendly.ca/challenge/2008/BFC2008_Top10_Handout.pdf
lunedì 6 ottobre 2008
Mariana, la bambola che allatta al seno
In una società dove si vedono bambole che prendono il ciuccio ed il biberon, come fanno i bambini ad immaginare che i cuccioli d'uomo possano essere allattati al seno dato che raramente incontrano altri bimbi allattati dalle loro mamme?
In Brasile un gruppo di donne produce delle bellissime bambole di pezza che partoriscono per via vaginale e allattano al seno, si chiamano Mariana , ce ne sono di diversi tipi e sono veramente un'idea originale per un regalo fatto con amore ( non ho alcun interesse economico ).
In Brasile un gruppo di donne produce delle bellissime bambole di pezza che partoriscono per via vaginale e allattano al seno, si chiamano Mariana , ce ne sono di diversi tipi e sono veramente un'idea originale per un regalo fatto con amore ( non ho alcun interesse economico ).
Amiche - My dear friends
Orgogliosa del pancione
Proud of her belly
Orgogliosissimi dopo nove mesi...
Very proud after nine months...
La gioia di allattare al seno
The joy of breastfeeding
sabato 4 ottobre 2008
Pubblicità Progresso negli Stati Uniti
Versioni proposte di Pubblicità Progresso per promuovere 'allattamento al seno
Le prime due versioni sono state contestate perchè troppo forti, la prima metteva in evidenza i rischi all'apparato respiratorio a causa del non allattamento, la seconda evidenziava i rischi di diabete: vedete le tettarelle?A qualcuno non sono piaciute le correlazioni.
Le lobby produttrici di latte artificiale sono potenti, molto potenti!
L'ultima, edulcorata, è stata accettata!
NB Se "cliccate" sulle immagini le vedrete ingrandite con la scritta originale.
martedì 9 settembre 2008
giovedì 14 agosto 2008
Kangaroomothercare- Dr Bergman
Overview - Physiology and Research of KMC Click the links below to jump to the relevant section: • Research on SSC (Skin to Skin Contact)• Breastfeeding• Breast Milk and Immaturity• Neuroscience and Stress Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has been variously defined, but two essential components are skin-to-skin contact (SSC), and breastfeeding (BF). From the biological perspective, in the immediate newborn period of Homo sapiens, skin-to-skin contact represents the correct "habitat", and breastfeeding represents the "niche" or pre-programmed behaviour designed for that habitat. RESEARCH ON SSCIn the uterine habitat, oxygenation is provided through the placenta and the cord, as well as warmth, nutrition and protection. These are the four basic biological needs. Parturition (birth) represents a "habitat transition". In the new habitat, the basic needs remain the same. Research over the last ten years provides strong support for the contention that newborn itself in the skin-to-skin habitat, not the mother or the health services, provides these basic needs. Oxygenation has been shown to be improved on SSC, to the extent that KMC is used successfully to treat respiratory distress. The breathing becomes regular and stable, and is coordinated with heart rate. When removed from incubator and placed SSC, oxygen saturation may rise slightly, or the percentage of oxygen provided to maintain good saturation can be lowered. Heart Rate is increased when placed SSC. Though we can regard this increase as being with the clinically normal range, what is seen is actually a return to the physiologically normal heart rate, the lower rate being due to "protest despair behaviour". Infants removed from incubators and placed SSC show a rise in temperature and a dramatic drop in glucocorticoids, as predicted by the "protest-despair response". Mothers are able to control the infants temperature within a very narrow range, far better than an incubator. To accomplish this, her core temperature can rise to two degrees Centigrade if baby is cold, and fall one degree if baby is hot. Skin-to-skin contact is better than incubator for rewarming hypothermic infants. Self-attachment refers to the phenomenon that fullterm undrugged infants, left on their mother's chest and undisturbed, will all breastfeed spontaneously within one hour, with no help at all. But this behaviour is dependent on SSC. Mother and infant should NOT be separated. The stimulations the newborn gives the mother during SSC elicit caregiving and protective behaviours from the mother. The baby’s legs kicking on the mother’s abdomen cause the mother’s uterus to contract strongly, preventing post-partum bleeding. Nutrition is improved, both with respect to the mother’s ability to breastfeed, and with respect to the newborn’s utilisation of the feed. The volume of mother’s milk is greatly increased, and the frequency of feeds provided likewise. Even without the increased milk, with the vagal stimulation the infant receives, the gut is better able to use the milk provided, and grows faster. Immunity is improved, demonstrable even 6 months later. Prematures seem to have poor immune systems, and are susceptible to allergies, infections and feeding problems in the first year of life. Early SSC dramatically reduces these problems. Infections are reduced when SSC and exclusive breastfeeding are firmly introduced. Necrotizing enterocolitis (a potentially lethal and very costly disease to treat) has been dramatically reduced in many units following a KMC programme. In no published paper is a single adverse outcome reported for KMC. Positive effects on the mother are better bonding, healing of emotional problems associated with premature birth, among others.BREASTFEEDINGBreastfeeding is a behaviour based on hindbrain functions that regulate hormones, autonomic functions and the somatic system. Key to understanding breastfeeding behaviours in the transitional and newborn periods is "state organisation". State Organisation refers to the ability to control the level of arousal, or of being awake. A scale of state organisation can be described varying from deep sleep to hard crying, each being associated with particular behaviours and conditions. For breastfeeding an infant should be in an awake state, and should thereafter be in quiet sleep for optimal development. KMC has profoundly beneficial effects on the state organisation of newborns. "Suckling" is the "chewing movement" an infant makes on the nipple. Quite apart from suckling as a means to ingest food, this behaviour has essential effects. Suckling stimulates the back of the palate, and results in intense vagal stimulation, which is vital for the general wellbeing of the baby. Suckling releases hormones similar to morphine in the brain, and gives powerful pain relief to infants. While it was observed that ability to suck on a bottle only started at 34 weeks post-conceptional age, recent research has shown that suckling from the breast is possible at 28 weeks. Suckling is a myographically distinct behaviour from sucking, and research on sucking on bottles of premature infants shows it clearly to be stressful. Premature infants are unable to coordinate their breathing and their swallowing. Back to Top BREAST MILK AND IMMATURITYCompared to that other mammals, human milk is extremely thin in terms of protein, fat and carbohydrate contents. Protein in particular. In olden days, protein was measured in terms of “nitrogen”, the assumption being that the majority of the nitrogen was a constituent of proteins. For a cow, protein nitrogen is 98%. For a human however, it is only 75%, and the non-protein nitrogen (NPN) is full quarter of the content. What human milk lacks in terms of concentration, it makes up for in terms of variety, well over two hundred NPN compounds have been found. These are related to the evolutionary immaturity of the newborn. NEUROSCIENCE AND STRESS The primary violation, the worst case scenario, to any newborn is separation from its habitat/mother. This applies to Homo sapiens as fully as to other mammals studied. “Protest-despair” behaviour is a stress reaction, and the hormones related to this have been extensively studied. At high levels, these hormones are intrinsically neurotoxic to the brain, particularly areas of the hindbrain, and any area which may be already a little hypoxic. SSC has been shown to markedly reduce these levels.
lunedì 11 agosto 2008
Breastfeeding
Breasfeeding in bottle culture
For some mothers, bottle feeding their babies is something they have always wanted to do as it gives them flexibility and helps them maintain a good level of independence. Artificial infant feeding has been culturally marked as more advanced and is socially more accepted than natural infant feeding.
Fortunately, breast feeding is on the rise as more and more new mothers acknowledge the endless benefits for themselves and, more importantly, for their offspring. Yet, in order for the use of breast milk to become normal again rather than the “alternative”, we still have to overcome cultural taboos.
The History of Bottle Feeding
Archaeological findings have shown that breast feeding substitutes were used thousands of years ago. Historically, substitute milk was given to infants whose mothers died or were too sick to feed their babies, usually with limited possibility of wet nursing at hand. Cow’s milk or goat’s milk were commonly used to replace mother’s milk. In addition, babies were sometimes given supplementary solid food, such as a paste made of bread or flour mixed with milk or water. Needless to say that infant mortality rate was extremely high – from 50 to 99% . History and cross-cultural studies have revealed that the increase in bottle feeding resulted in an increase in infant deaths, especially where standards of hygiene were not met. It is a fact, that artificial infant feeding can hold more risks for baby.
During the industrial revolution artificial feeding became popular in Britain as women had to leave their children behind to work in the factories. The first scientific breast milk substitute was invented in 1867 by a German chemist. It was a combination of cow’s milk, flour, potassium bicarbonate and malt. However, the popularity of bottle feeding increased when condensed milk was developed in the late 19th century. The social consensus about how best to feed baby in a modern world which was filled with new scientific achievements, changed towards artificial infant feeding. Bottle feeding was sold as nutritious, safe and easy to prepare with no need for refrigeration. More importantly, pasteurization of milk and sterilization of feeding equipment made artificial infant feeding a safer alternative; thus, making bottle feeding more popular. In addition, medical representatives and scientists celebrated this new supposedly convenient way of feeding baby. As a result, breast feeding became comparatively unpopular as figures show that only 20 to 30% of babies were actually breastfed during WWII in the USA. However, the 1980s proved difficult for companies such as Nestlé when their involvement with medical establishments in order to sell formula feeding in the third world was revealed.
Bottle feeding is still the number one choice for many new mothers. This can have different personal or even medical reasons, although modern living standards are mainly to blame for the change in maternal attitude over the past century.
Why is Breast Feeding a Challenge?
Organisations such as the La Lèche League or the Breastfeeding Network help to promote breastfeeding with all its benefits which, as a result, is becoming increasingly popular.
Fortunately, more and more women decide to at least try to feed their newborn themselves. National statistics show that there is a steady increase in initial infant breastfeeding (66% in 1995 to 69% in 2000). However, statistics also reveal that many new mothers give up breastfeeding after only a few weeks: after only one week, 55% of women breastfeed, after six weeks 43% and after 4 months 28% still feed their babies. In our modern culture, natural feeding is a challenge because bottle feeding still tends to be regarded as “easier”. Generations of parents who bottle fed their babies pass on what they have been sold decades ago. In addition, new breastfeeding problems arise that find appropriate discussion grounds in our civilisation, such as the “insufficient milk” syndrome. Yet, only about 5% of mothers show real physical difficulty to breastfeed, thus confirming that the idea of not making enough milk is a modern invention. Women may actually feel that they do not have enough milk to feed their baby but the reasons are not physical. It is more likely that the early difficulties mother and baby experience together result from stressful birthing environment, such as the hospital, where unknown staff and routine as well as doubtable reputation feed initial anxiety and thus, can add to the overall picture of the insufficient milk syndrome. Breast feeding can be highly influenced by psychosomatic elements, such as stress, anxiety, worries, depression and much more. Feeding is a natural self-regulating and extremely efficient process which is susceptible to how mothers feel, as much as anything. If a new mother does not receive the support she needs, the let-down reflex (milk flows from the ducts towards the nipple) is more difficult to be stimulated.
Besides the modern argument of “lack of sufficient milk”, many more interruptions help reduce the chance of breastfeeding, such as aesthetically motivated breast operations or if a separation of mother and baby after birth is unnecessarily prolonged. In addition, our natural desire for information societies has caused multiple parenting theories to shoot out of the grounds. Instead of helping reduce new parent’s fears they tend to increase and even confuse them. One of the often cited parent strategies is “feeding on schedule”. However, feeding in intervals causes unnecessary stress because the composition of the milk changes in a way that causes baby to feel hungry all the time. As a result, the mother will think that she does not produce enough milk whereas the truth is that she has waited too long.
Modern ways of living can make it extremely difficult for new mothers to embrace breast feeding. Their cultural background, lack of support within their own family or friends and misleading parenting information facilitate the return to bottle feeding. Moreover, cultural expectations of women who often have to return to work early in order to earn a living or pursue a career do not improve early parenting conditions.
While breast feeding is part of our natural survival strategy, bottle feeding is part of our modern culture. It gives new mothers the chance to cope easier with expectations and to help handle natural infant needs in an over-regulated world. We are aware of the fact that human milk is best for baby. Thus, it is the mother’s individual choice of how to feed her infant and to build a strong bond.
Fortunately, breast feeding is on the rise as more and more new mothers acknowledge the endless benefits for themselves and, more importantly, for their offspring. Yet, in order for the use of breast milk to become normal again rather than the “alternative”, we still have to overcome cultural taboos.
The History of Bottle Feeding
Archaeological findings have shown that breast feeding substitutes were used thousands of years ago. Historically, substitute milk was given to infants whose mothers died or were too sick to feed their babies, usually with limited possibility of wet nursing at hand. Cow’s milk or goat’s milk were commonly used to replace mother’s milk. In addition, babies were sometimes given supplementary solid food, such as a paste made of bread or flour mixed with milk or water. Needless to say that infant mortality rate was extremely high – from 50 to 99% . History and cross-cultural studies have revealed that the increase in bottle feeding resulted in an increase in infant deaths, especially where standards of hygiene were not met. It is a fact, that artificial infant feeding can hold more risks for baby.
During the industrial revolution artificial feeding became popular in Britain as women had to leave their children behind to work in the factories. The first scientific breast milk substitute was invented in 1867 by a German chemist. It was a combination of cow’s milk, flour, potassium bicarbonate and malt. However, the popularity of bottle feeding increased when condensed milk was developed in the late 19th century. The social consensus about how best to feed baby in a modern world which was filled with new scientific achievements, changed towards artificial infant feeding. Bottle feeding was sold as nutritious, safe and easy to prepare with no need for refrigeration. More importantly, pasteurization of milk and sterilization of feeding equipment made artificial infant feeding a safer alternative; thus, making bottle feeding more popular. In addition, medical representatives and scientists celebrated this new supposedly convenient way of feeding baby. As a result, breast feeding became comparatively unpopular as figures show that only 20 to 30% of babies were actually breastfed during WWII in the USA. However, the 1980s proved difficult for companies such as Nestlé when their involvement with medical establishments in order to sell formula feeding in the third world was revealed.
Bottle feeding is still the number one choice for many new mothers. This can have different personal or even medical reasons, although modern living standards are mainly to blame for the change in maternal attitude over the past century.
Why is Breast Feeding a Challenge?
Organisations such as the La Lèche League or the Breastfeeding Network help to promote breastfeeding with all its benefits which, as a result, is becoming increasingly popular.
Fortunately, more and more women decide to at least try to feed their newborn themselves. National statistics show that there is a steady increase in initial infant breastfeeding (66% in 1995 to 69% in 2000). However, statistics also reveal that many new mothers give up breastfeeding after only a few weeks: after only one week, 55% of women breastfeed, after six weeks 43% and after 4 months 28% still feed their babies. In our modern culture, natural feeding is a challenge because bottle feeding still tends to be regarded as “easier”. Generations of parents who bottle fed their babies pass on what they have been sold decades ago. In addition, new breastfeeding problems arise that find appropriate discussion grounds in our civilisation, such as the “insufficient milk” syndrome. Yet, only about 5% of mothers show real physical difficulty to breastfeed, thus confirming that the idea of not making enough milk is a modern invention. Women may actually feel that they do not have enough milk to feed their baby but the reasons are not physical. It is more likely that the early difficulties mother and baby experience together result from stressful birthing environment, such as the hospital, where unknown staff and routine as well as doubtable reputation feed initial anxiety and thus, can add to the overall picture of the insufficient milk syndrome. Breast feeding can be highly influenced by psychosomatic elements, such as stress, anxiety, worries, depression and much more. Feeding is a natural self-regulating and extremely efficient process which is susceptible to how mothers feel, as much as anything. If a new mother does not receive the support she needs, the let-down reflex (milk flows from the ducts towards the nipple) is more difficult to be stimulated.
Besides the modern argument of “lack of sufficient milk”, many more interruptions help reduce the chance of breastfeeding, such as aesthetically motivated breast operations or if a separation of mother and baby after birth is unnecessarily prolonged. In addition, our natural desire for information societies has caused multiple parenting theories to shoot out of the grounds. Instead of helping reduce new parent’s fears they tend to increase and even confuse them. One of the often cited parent strategies is “feeding on schedule”. However, feeding in intervals causes unnecessary stress because the composition of the milk changes in a way that causes baby to feel hungry all the time. As a result, the mother will think that she does not produce enough milk whereas the truth is that she has waited too long.
Modern ways of living can make it extremely difficult for new mothers to embrace breast feeding. Their cultural background, lack of support within their own family or friends and misleading parenting information facilitate the return to bottle feeding. Moreover, cultural expectations of women who often have to return to work early in order to earn a living or pursue a career do not improve early parenting conditions.
While breast feeding is part of our natural survival strategy, bottle feeding is part of our modern culture. It gives new mothers the chance to cope easier with expectations and to help handle natural infant needs in an over-regulated world. We are aware of the fact that human milk is best for baby. Thus, it is the mother’s individual choice of how to feed her infant and to build a strong bond.
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