There are many organizations worldwide that encourage, train, and teach the health benefit of breastfeeding for mother and child. These organizations implement programs and education in similar ways and to similar age groups. Unfortunately, the United States trails behind in breastfeeding success and in duration (Thurma & Allen, 2008).
In recent history, one of the major challenges lies with the healthcare staff and at the hospital level. To help encourage national support and hospital adherence the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was introduced in 1991. (Shealy, Li, Benton-Davis, & Grummer-Strawn, 2005) Adherence to the following ten steps is the qualifying components to success:
* Step 1. Breastfeeding policy should be communicated to all healthcare staff
* Step 2. Train healthcare staff in all skills in order to implement
* Step 3. Educate all pregnant women about benefits of breastfeeding
* Step 4. Help mother initiate breastfeeding during first half hour of birth
* Step 5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation
* Step 6. No other food or drink unless medical indicated
* Step 7. Rooming-in: the practice of mother and child remaining together 24/7
* Step 8. Cues for breastfeeding on demand
* Step 9. Give no artificial nipples
* Step 10. Connect mother to a support group in her community
Since the introduction, more than 22,000 health care facilities in more than 150 countries around the world have been designated “baby friendly” by global and national BFHI standards, that represents about 28% of all maternity facilities worldwide. Sadly, fewer than 5% of facilities in the United States are designated as baby friendly according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as of 2014. The CDC states, “Birth facilities that have achieved BFHI designation typically experience an increase in breastfeeding rates.” Therefore, our healthcare staff needs to be informed.
Data reveals that at a more local level there are improvements. For those achieving BFHI designation, improved health for infants and mothers is seen as well as greater patient and staff satisfaction. The BFHI designations are found to be mostly specialty facilities. Some small facilities who serve primarily low-risk high-income privately insured patients, large facilities serving mostly high-risk or low-income publicly insured or uninsured patients, comprehensive hospitals, military facilities, and freestanding birth centers have achieved BFHI status as well.
Organizations that support women’s efforts to nurse are of great health benefit to both mother and child; they also save individuals and the health care industry money! For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Healthy People 2010 initiative set a goal of having 75% of mothers initiate breastfeeding immediately postpartum, 50% continuing breast-feeding at 6 months postpartum, and 25% breastfeeding at one year (DHHS, 2000). With these breastfeeding rates an estimated 2.2 billion dollars in medical costs may be saved yearly. But the period of time during and right after birth is critical for the introduction of breastfeeding. According to the CDC Both the use of medications during labor and cesarean birth have been shown to have a negative effect on breastfeeding; however, providing continuous support during labor and maintaining skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth demonstrate a positive effect on breastfeeding (2005). The initiation is seeing great success. The CDC report the percentage of babies breastfeeding at six months increased from 35 percent to 49 percent (CDC, July 2013).
Still, many American breastfeeding mothers are under-supported and worse yet even shamed when nursing their young. Have you experienced this? Are you giving your child natures best nutrition & yet uncomfortable in your efforts?
It is thought that breastfeeding is an automatically natural and seemingly easy way to feed an infant. Unfortunately, many new mothers find that this is not the case. The pressures of new motherhood, challenges of breastfeeding: lactating, latching, biting, feeding position, etc., work schedules, and all the other complexities of life can lead to discontinued or exclusive breastfeeding. Women need physical help and emotional support in order to continue.
Breastfeeding help, encouragement, and support may be distributed to all women of all economic statuses and financial standing. The La Leche League is a worldwide organization that reaches and promotes breastfeeding to lactating mothers at a communal level. Their mission is to help mothers breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education. This involves peer related groups, practical teaching and help. A quick Internet search for your area will also provide you other options for education or support such as: meet ups, WIC breastfeeding encouragers, books written by Ina May Gaskin, blogs such as KellyMom & more through social media groups.
If providing supreme nutritional breastmilk is your heart for your children, receive your support, enjoy the process, and bless your babies in this way. You are doing a precious and healthy thing for both of you. Congratulations on your efforts.
References
Beni Canani, R., DiCostanzo, M., Leone, L., Bedogni, G., Brambillia, P., Clanfarani, S., Nobill, V., Pietrobelli, A., & Agostoni, C. (2011). Epigenetic mechanisms elicited by nutrition in early life. Nutrition Research Reviews, 24(2), 198-205.
Pollard, D.L. (2011) Impact of a feeding log on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Matern Child Health J, 15, 395-400.
Shealy, K.R., Li, R., Benton-Davis, S., & Grummer-Strawn, L.M. (2005) Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions.
Thurman, S.E., & Allen, P.J. (2008) Integrating lactation consultants into primary health care services: are lactation consultants affecting breastfeeding success? Pediatric Nursing, 34(5), 419-425.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). (2000). Healthy People 2010 (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://www.healthypeo- ple.gov/Document/tableofcontents.htm#Volume2
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). (2013). Breastfeeding Rates. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Media Release. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0731-breastfeeding-rates.html
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