National Breastfeeding Week: Celebrating and Supporting Motherhood

National Breastfeeding Week, celebrated from August 1 to August 7 annually, is a global initiative to emphasize the importance of breastfeeding for the health and survival of babies worldwide. This observance was initiated in response to concerns over rising infant mortality rates that could be inversely related to declining breastfeeding practices.

According to the “Convention on the Rights of the Child,” every infant and child has the right to good nutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores breastfeeding as one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. For instance, exclusively breastfed infants for the first six months have a lower chance of dying from conditions such as neonatal infections, diarrhea, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) compared to non-breastfed infants. 

Breastfeeding statistics vary globally, but the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. In the United States, around 60% of babies are breastfed for six months, yet about 25% are exclusively breastfed as recommended for this period. Meanwhile, only about 42% of infants 0–6 months old are exclusively breastfed globally. The benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers are significant, yet many regions fall short of the WHO’s recommendations due to various challenges and a lack of support for breastfeeding mothers.

A study highlighted in The Lancet emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding beyond personal health benefits, noting its role in significantly reducing infant and child morbidity and mortality worldwide. The research supports that optimal breastfeeding practices can lead to a considerable reduction in post-perinatal infant deaths.

Breastfeeding Practices

Proper breastfeeding practices can prevent undernutrition, ensure food security in times of crisis, and bolster economies by reducing healthcare costs associated with formula feeding. Some effective breastfeeding practices include:

• Initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth. Called the “golden hour.”
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, without the need for water, liquids, or food.
• Continuation of breastfeeding upon the introduction of complementary foods at six months.
• Breastfeeding on demand, allowing the child to determine the frequency and duration of feeding sessions.

Efforts to improve breastfeeding practices involve providing support to mothers through various means. At Maryvale, our community-based services offer guidance such as counseling and parental education for single mothers through our housing program, Seton House. Ensuring breastfeeding-friendly health facilities and work environments is also encouraged.

The successful implementation of these practices is significantly responsive to supportive interventions. Complementary feeding involves giving infants foods in addition to breast milk to meet their growing nutritional requirements. The complementary foods should be appropriate, meaning they are safe, adequately nutritious, and given in the right consistency and amount. 

Breastfeeding practices are also reinforced by initiatives like WHO’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), which promotes breastfeeding through maternity and newborn services. Hospitals and healthcare systems are encouraged to implement the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” which includes practices such as skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and not providing pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants. 

Primary Options for Feeding Infants

• Breastfeeding: The baby is fed breast milk directly from the breast. 

• Formula Feeding: Infants can also be fed baby formula, a manufactured food designed and marketed for babies and infants under 12 months. The formula is typically based on cow’s milk or soy products and modified to be more suitable for babies. 
• Mixed Feeding (Combination Feeding): This term refers to infants given breast milk and formula. It can be used for various reasons, such as supplementing when breast milk alone is not enough, for convenience, or transitioning from breastfeeding to formula feeding.
• Complementary Feeding: It begins when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet an infant’s nutritional needs, typically around 6 months of age. At this point, safe and appropriate solid foods are introduced while continuing to breastfeed.

Families may choose any or a combination of these feeding options for various reasons, including personal, medical, and social factors. Each option carries its own set of considerations, and families should decide on the best method that suits their situation, often with guidance from healthcare professionals.

It’s always recommended to try and make an informed choice and access breastfeeding support if needed since breastfeeding has significant health benefits for both the infant and the mother. However, it’s also essential to recognize that some mothers may be unable to breastfeed or choose not to for personal reasons, and they should be supported in making the best feeding choice for their infants and themselves.

Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding offers extensive benefits for both babies and mothers. It shapes the foundation for a child’s future health and provides significant health advantages for mothers. 

Benefits for Babies:

Ideal Nutrition: Breast milk contains a balance of nutrients that perfectly match the baby’s needs for growth and development.

Immune Support: Breast milk is rich in antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses, such as ear and respiratory tract infections.

Lower Risk of Chronic Conditions: Reduced risk of developing asthma, allergies, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and childhood leukemia.

Cognitive Development: Some studies suggest a link between breastfeeding and higher IQ scores in later childhood.

Emotional Security: Breastfeeding provides significant emotional bonding and increases the feeling of security for the infant.

Benefits for Mothers:

Caloric Burn: Breastfeeding burns extra calories, aiding in faster postpartum weight loss.

Cancer Risk Reduction: Lowered risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Reduced Osteoporosis Risk: Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Uterine Health: Oxytocin release during breastfeeding helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and can reduce postpartum bleeding.

Lowered Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Convenience and Cost: Breastfeeding eliminates the need for formula, which can be costly and require time for preparation.

Common Struggles Associated with Breastfeeding

• Latching Issues: It can be difficult to get the baby to latch onto the breast correctly, which can lead to frustration for both the mother and the baby.
• Pain: Breastfeeding should not be painful. However, nipple pain, engorgement, and the occurrence of mastitis can occur, especially in the first few weeks.
• Low Milk Supply: Some mothers worry about producing enough milk to satisfy their baby’s hunger. The baby’s feeding frequency, mother’s health, and proper latching techniques can influence milk supply.
• Overactive Let-Down: Some mothers produce milk too quickly, causing the baby to ingest air along with the milk, which can lead to gas and discomfort.
• Feeding Frequency and Scheduling: Newborns feed often, and the demand can be exhausting for mothers, especially when trying to interpret the baby’s hunger cues accurately.
• Breast Infection (Mastitis): This is an infection in the breast tissue that can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the breast, along with fever and chills.
• Physical and Emotional Fatigue: The physical demands of breastfeeding, coupled with hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and the pressures of new motherhood, can lead to feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm.
• Public Breastfeeding: Some mothers feel uncomfortable or face stigma related to breastfeeding in public spaces.
• Returning to Work: Balancing breastfeeding and work can be challenging, requiring planning and support from the workplace to continue breastfeeding or pumping milk.
• Medical Conditions or Surgery: Certain health conditions, previous breast surgeries, or the use of specific medications can affect breastfeeding.
• Feeling of Isolation: Breastfeeding can feel isolating, especially if mothers lack support from family, friends, or a community familiar with breastfeeding challenges.

It’s important for mothers facing these challenges to seek support from healthcare providers, lactation consultants, or breastfeeding support groups. Many of these issues can be resolved with the right information and support, enabling mothers and babies to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding.

National Breastfeeding Week highlights the importance of breastfeeding while also acknowledging the challenges many mothers face. By raising awareness and providing support, we can help more mothers and babies enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding. If you need more information about nurturing your newborn correctly, contact Maryvale for individual counseling and other Mental Health Services. Happy National Breastfeeding Week!