Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: UNICEF states that “breastfeeding is among the most effective ways to protect maternal and child health and promote healthy growth and optimal development in early childhood.

Concept:

• During the Renaissance period, breastfeeding came to be seen as unfashionable. Feeding bottles and formula milk were aggressively advertised leading to a reduction in breastfeeding between the 17th and 19th century. However,
• During the late 19th century, an increase in infant mortality rate and rise in non-communicable diseases during adulthood were attributed to bottle feeding. This prompted experts and leaders everywhere to push for breastfeeding across the world.

Breastfeeding

• Infants should be breastfed within one hour of birth, breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives, and be breastfed after six months in combination with solid, semi-solid and soft food until they are about two years old.
• Both the mother and newborn are vulnerable for the first 12 weeks. Getting used to breastfeeding takes at least 14 days.

Many advantages

• Breastfeeding provides greater immunity for children against infection, allergies, cancers and obesity; and improves brain maturation.
• It is also beneficial for the mother: it promotes faster weight loss after birth, reduces postpartum bleeding, and protects her against breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.
• Data from The Lancet show that more investment in breastfeeding could add $300 billion to the global economy and prevent about 8,20,000 child deaths every year.
• Globally only 25%-40% of babies are breastfed. Breastfeeding and later wet nursing were the norm for millions of years.
• However, the National Family Health Survey-5 data show that there has been a decline in early breastfeeding in as many as 12 of the 22 surveyed States and Union Territories while the share of institutional births has increased. Maternity and paternity leave
• The theme for World Breastfeeding Week this year is ‘Protect Breastfeedng: A Shared Responsibility’. Breastfeeding has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important that the promotion

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)

• The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was established in 1991 to create awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. I
• In 1992, WABA in coordination with UNICEF introduced World Breastfeeding Week during the first week of August every year. India enacted the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act in 1992 with stringent regulations.
• The breastfeeding should be a continuous process, not an event restricted to a week

Colostrum

• Colostrum is a breast fluid produced by humans, cows, and other mammals before breast milk is released.
• It’s very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections and bacteria.
• Colostrum promotes growth and health in infants and newborn animals, but research shows that taking bovine colostrum supplements may promote immunity, help fight infections, and improve gut health throughout life.