Women's
Health Action Trust
- Breast is best - for mum too! - World Breastfeeding Week 1 - 7 August 2002
- Warrior princess in new role - WHU Oct 2002
- Celebrating whaea in music - WHU Oct 2002
- Images 2002
- If
men breastfed it would work at work -
WHW Nov 03
- How breastfeeding friendly is the workplace? - WHW Nov 03
- The good, the sad and the ugly - WHW Nov 03
- A small world after all - WHU Vol7 no3 - Oct 2003
- Images 2003
Breast
is best - for mum too!
World Breastfeeding Week 1 - 7
August
Most
breastfeeding campaigns are aimed at encouraging women to breastfeed
because it’s so good for the baby, but did you know that breastfeeding
also benefits us Mums? In fact, I’m beginning to wonder whether
we don’t come out of it even better off than the children!
This week is World Breastfeeding Week, when more than 120 countries
around the world highlight the importance of breastfeeding. This year’s
campaign is highlighting the importance of breastfeeding to protect
your health as a mother as well as that of your baby.
Nature always intended that pregnant women would go on to breastfeed
after childbirth - after all, that’s why we, as mammals are born
with mammary glands isn’t it? It stands to reason then, that there
are significant benefits to be gained from breastfeeding - for mothers
as well as babies.
Breastfeeding helps mothers:
- Reduce the risk of breast cancer before menopause. It may also help protect against breast cancer after menopause
- By providing a small reduction in the risk of the most common ovarian cancer.
- By providing a 98% contraceptive effect after childbirth for 6 months, provided she is exclusively or fully breastfeeding and her periods have not returned.
- Recover faster from childbirth. Women who breastfeed have less bleeding and are less likely to become anaemic.
- Return to pre-pregnancy weight more quickly.
- Save time and energy! Breastfeeding requires no mixing, measuring and no clean-up, making night-time feeds quick and easy.
- Promote a special relationship with their baby, a closeness that comes with time and touch, a bond that lasts forever.
- Save money from not having to purchase artificial milks or expensive equipment.
Breastfeeding
for healthy babies!
Human milk is nutritionally perfect for human infants. It changes
to meet the needs of a growing baby, something that formula cannot do.
Breastfeeding is among the most important lifelong benefits a mother
can give to her child. Breastmilk is specially designed to ensure a
baby’s optimal growth and development.
Breastfed babies benefit from:
- Stronger immune systems and less hospital admissions.
- Higher IQ scores and increased cognitive development.
- Significantly reduced risk from gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, urinary tract infections and ear infections.
- Decreased incidence and severity of food allergies, asthma, colic and eczema.
- Enhanced visual, motor, and oral development.
- Being generally healthier than artificially fed babies.
There you have it. Exclusive breastfeeding meets all the nutritional
needs of a baby for the first six months. Breastfeeding continues to
make a significant contribution to a baby’s nutritional and emotional
health into the second year and beyond.
A mother is more likely to breastfeed and continue breastfeeding in a loving, supportive and caring environment, not only at home, but in the workplace and when out in public.
|
The
poster for Breastfeeding week 2002 |
|
The billboard
of the poster that caused all the contraoversy |
| Breastfeeding at our 2003 Grey Lynn Word Breastfeeding week event |
|
Women enjoying the day at the 2003 Grey Lynn Breastfeding event |
Celebrating
World Breastfeeding Week 2004
Breastfeeding is
widely acknowledged as the gold standard for infant feeding. "Exclusive"
breastfeeding is undeniably the best of the breast. To mark World Breastfeeding
Week this year, and celebrate the international theme - "Exclusive
Breastfeeding: The Gold Standard — safe sound & sustainable",
Women’s Health Action has produced a golden bow lapel pin for sale.
A leaflet promoting exclusive breastfeeding is being distributed to
all new mothers during World Breastfeeding Week (1 August — 7 August.)
The theme comes directly from WHO’s Global strategy for Infant
& Young Child feeding(1).
"As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age and beyond."
Exclusive breastfeeding
means that anything but breast milk given by mouth to a baby - even
a teaspoonful of liquid — changes the breastfeeding status from
exclusive to fully breastfed(2). The most common liquids,
other than breast milk, that babies are given within the first 6 months
period are: water, teas, juice, formula and baby food (solids) which
all compromise the exclusive status. Exclusive breastfeeding is having
only breast milk (and medicine as required) with feeds frequently and
for unrestricted periods. A mother could give her child a mouth full
of water at 2 weeks and then never again give her baby anything other
than breast milk for 6 months yet the breastfeeding status for that
baby is fully breastfed and not exclusive.
Of course, introducing complementary foods or solids compromises the
exclusive status. For a mother the commitment to exclusive breastfeeding
is a serious one and it helps to have a sound knowledge of the benefits,
risks and consequences associated with the introduction of anything
else by mouth.
A literature review, using six months of exclusive breastfeeding as
the marker(3), found that in comparing the two groups
of babies, those that were not breastfed were:
- About 25% more likely to become overweight or obese
- About 30% more likely to suffer from leukemia
- About 40% more likely to develop type 1 diabetes
- About 60% more likely to suffer from recurrent ear infections
- About 100% more likely to suffer from diarrhoea and
- About 250% more likely to be hospitalised for respiratory infections like asthma and pneumonia (3).
These statistics
give clear evidence for encouraging 6 months exclusive breastfeeding.
Easier said than done in a society where bottle feeding and early introduction
of solids have become the norm. The well child check done at 4-7 months
indicates that the exclusive breastfeeding rate in New Zealand is only
10%(4). To break this norm requires support and encouragement
from all sectors of society, not just the health professionals, and
opens up challenges for us all.
The challenge for
- the mother is to persevere with initial awkwardness and discomfort.
- family members is to embrace and support breastfeeding instead of rushing for the convenience of a bottle or early introduction of solids.
- employers is to make provisions in the workplace for continued breastfeeding on return to work.
- midwives is to support a mother in labour through contractions to minimise the need for pain relief which interferes with breastfeeding initiation(5).
- health professionals delivering services in many fields is to find solutions in breastfeeding rather than outside of it, to see breastfeeding as part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Research shows
that virtually all women can supply and maintain sufficient milk for
6 months to a normal full term infant and also that early supplementing
comes about because of a lack or perceived lack of milk supply(6).
Exclusivity works best when breastfeeding is frequent and without prescribed
timeframes(7). So, the greatest challenge for women
in today’s western world is to disregard clocks and respond instead
to the hunger and cues of the baby. When breastfeeding is promoted and
supported without regard to clocks and times, the ‘problem’
of milk supply seldom enters the picture.
The societal pressures to stop breastfeeding are enormous. Every time
someone says to a breastfeeding mother, "are you still feeding
that baby", her confidence is undermined which brings with it the
temptation to introduce supplementary feeding before babies are six
months old.
Six months exclusive breastfeeding is supported by research but also
by common sense. The other major developmental milestones at this time
include the appearance of first teeth, the ability to sit up unsupported
and the ability to master grabbing objects(8).
The developmental mile stones, the known reduction in health risk and
the natural inclination of babies to want to breastfeed all support
exclusive breastfeeding as a gold standard that is safe, sound and sustainable
in a society that values children. Therefore, this year Women’s
Health Action is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with attractive
gold lapel badges as a symbol for exclusive breastfeeding (check out
below for details) and a simple leaflet "Exclusive Breastfeeding"
for all mothers birthing in maternity hospitals throughout the country
or attending ante-natal classes during World Breastfeeding Week (August
1-7th.)
If we accept the challenge and go for it, we will reap the rewards.
We can be confident that whether we are health professionals, mothers,
employers, family members or supportive members of society, our efforts
will make a difference.
References
(1)World
Health Assembly (2003). Global strategy for Infant and young child
feeding. Geneva:World Health Organisation can be down loaded from
www.who.int
(2)Ministry of Health (2002). Breastfeeding: A guide
to action. Wellington:MoH can be down loaded from the www.moh.govt.nz
(4) Plunket statistics from July 2002 to July 2003
(5)Ransjo-Arvidson, A.B., Mattiesen, A.S., Lilja, G.,
Nissen, E., Widstrom, A. & Uvnas-Moberg, K. (2001). Maternal analgesia
during labour disturbs newborn behaviour: effects on breastfeeding,
temperature & crying. Birth 28 (1), 5-12.
(6) Akre, J. (Ed.) (1992). Infant feeding the physiological
basis. Geneva: World Health Organization.
(7) Dewey, K. (2001). Guiding Principles for complementary
feeding of the breastfed child. Washington: Pan American Health
Organisation/WHO.
(8) Berger, K. S. (2001). The developing person through
the life span (5th ed.) New York: Worth Publishers
(3)The complete list of references from the campaign:
National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign Risk Statements References
Risk Statements Literature Crileria
Risk Statements:
Children who are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months are more at risk for the following diseases, illnesses, and conditions:
Diabetes
Blom L; Dahlquist G; Lonnberg G (1991). The Swedish Childhood Diabetes
Study: A Multivariate Analysis of Risk Determinants for Diabetes in
Different Age Groups. Diabetologia 34: 757-762.
Gerstein, Hertzel C (1994) Cow's Milk Exposure and Type I Diabetes Mellitus.
A Critical Overview ofthe Clinical Literature. Diabetes Care
17:13-19.
Norris, Jill; Fraser, Scott (1995) A Meta-Analysis of Infant Diet and
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Do Biases Play a Role? Epidemiology
7 (1): 87-92.
Virtanen SM; Rasanen L; Aro A; Lindstrom J; Sippola H; Lounamaa R; Toivanen
L; Tuomilehto J; Akerblom HK (1991). Childhood Diabetes in Finland Study
Group: Infant Feeding in Finnish Children < 7 Yr of Age with Newly
Diagnosed IDDM. Diabetes Care 14: 415-417.
Virtanen SM; Rasanen L; Aro A; Ylonen K; Lounamaa R; Tuomilehto J; Akerblom
HK (1992). Childhood Diabetes in Finland Study Group: Feeding in Infancy
and the Risk of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Finnish Children. Diabetic
Med. 9: 815-819.
Diarrhea
Scariati, Paula; Grummer-Strawn, Lawrence; Beck Fein, Sara (1997). A
Longtudinal Analysis and the Extent of Breastfeeding in the United States.
Pediatrics, 99, (6): e5-e9
Raisler, Jeanne; Alexander, Cheryl; O'Campo, Patricia (l999). Breast-Feeding
and Infant Illness: A Dose-Response Relationship? American Journal
of Public Health, 89 (13: 2530.
Beaudry M; Dufour R; Marcoux S (1995). Relation Between Infant Feeding
and Infections During the First 6 Months of Life. Journal of Pediatrics,
126: 191-197.
Hospitalization
for Respiratory Illness
Bachrach, Virginia; Schwartz, Eleanor; Bachrach, Lela (2003). Breastfeeding
and the Risk of Hospitalization for Respiratory Disease in Infancy.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 157: 237-243.
Ball TM; Wright AL (1999). Healthcare Costs of Formula-Feeding in the
First Year of Life. Pediatrics, 103: 870-876.
Beaudry M; Dufour R; Marcoux S (1995). Relation Between Infant Feeding
and Infections During the First 6 Months of Life. Journal of Pediatrics,
126:191 - 197.
Hoey C; Ware JL. (1997). Economic Advantages of Breast-Feeding in an
HMO: Setting a Pilot Study. Am J Manag Care, 3: 861-865.
Howie PW; Forsyth JS; Ogsten SA; Clark A; Florey CD (1990). Protective
Effect of Breast Feeding Against Infection. BMJ, 300: 11-16.
Nafstad P; Jaakkola JJ; Hagen JA; Botten G; Kongrud J (1996). Breastfeeding,
Maternal Smoking, and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections. Eur Respir
J, 9:2623-2629.
Oddy WH; Holt PG; Sly PD, et al (1999). Association Between Breast Feeding
and Asthma in 6-Year-Old Children: Findings of a Prospective Birth Cohort
Study. BMJ, 319: 815-819.
Leukemia
UK Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) BR J Cancer Nov 30, 2001;
85(11): 1685-94.
Bener A; Denic S; Galadari S (2001). Longer Breast-Feeding and Protection
Against Childhood Leukamia and Lymphomas. Eur J Cancer 37 (2):
234-238.
Infante-Rivard C; Fortier I; Olsen E (2000). Markers of Infection, Breast-Feeding
and Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. British Journal of Cancer
83 (11): 15591564.
Perrillat F; Clavel J; Auclerc MF; Baruchel A; Leverger G; Nelken B;
Philippe N; Schaison G; Sommelet D; Vilmer E; Hemon D (2002). Breast-Feeding,
Fetal Loss, and Childhood Acute Leukaemia. Eur J Pediatr 161:
235-237.
Rosenbaum PF, Buck GM, and Brecher ML (2000). Breastfeeding and Childhood
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 77: 7415-7419.
Schuz J, Kaletsch U, Meinart R, Kaatsch P, and Michaelis J (1999). Association
of Childhood Leukemia with Factors Related to the Immune System. British
Journal of Cancer 80: 585-590.
Dockerty JD, Skegg DCG, Elwood JM, Herbison GP, Becroft DMO and Lewis
ME (1999). Infections, Vaccinations, and the Risk of Childhood Leukemia.
British Journal of Cancer 80: 1483-1489.
Smulevich VB, Solionova LG, and Beyakova SV (1999). Parental Occupation
and Other Factors and Cancer Risk in Children: I. Study methodology
and Other Occupational Factors. Int J Cancer 83: 712-717.
Hardell L; Dreifaldt AC (2001). Breastteeding Duration and the Risk
of Malignant Diseases in Childhood in Sweden. Eur J Clin Nutr
55: 179-185.
Obesity/Overweight
Gillman, Matthew; Rifas-Shiman, Sheryl; Camargo, Carlos; Berkey, Catherine;
Frazier, A. Lindsey; Rockett, Helaine; Field, Alison; Colditz, Graham
(2001). Risk of Overweight Among Adolescents who Were Breastfed as Infants.
JAMA 285 (19): 24612467.
Hediger, Mary; Overpeck, Mary; Kuczmarski, Robert; Ruan, W. June (2001).
Association Between Infant Breastfeeding and Overweight in Young Children.
JAMA, 285 (19): 2453-260.
Toschke, Andre Michael; Vignerova, Jana; Lhotska, Lida; Osancova, Katerina;
Koletzko, Berthold; von Kries, Rudiger (2002). Overweight and Obesity
in 6- to 14-Year-Old Czech Children in 1991: Protective Effect of Breast-Feeding.
Journal of Pediatrics 141 (6): 764-769.
Liese AD; Hirsch T; von Muitius E; Keil U; Leupold W; Weiland SK (2001).
Inverse Association of Overweight and Breast Feeding as Infants.
Intl J Obesity, 25: 1644- 1650.
O'Callahan MJ; Williams GM; Andersen MJ; Bor W; Najman JM (1997). Prediction
o Obesity in Children at 5 Years: A Cohort Study. Journal of Pacdiatr.
Child Health, 33: 311-316.
Dewey K (2003). Is Breastfeeding Protective Against Childhood Obesity?
J Hum Lact. 19 (1): 9-18.
Otitis Media
Scariati, Paula; Grummer-Strawn, Lawrence; Beck Fein, Sara (1997). A
Longtudinal Analysis and the Extent of BreastLeeding in the United States.
Pediatrics 99 (6): e5-e9
Raisler, Jeanne; Alexander, Cheryl; O'Campo, Patricia (1999). Breast-Feeding
and Infan lllness: A Dose-Response Relationship? American Journal
of Public Health 89 (1): 2530.
Duncan, Burris; Ey, John; Holberg, Catherine; Wright, Anne; Martinez,
Fernando; Taussig, Lynn (1993). Exclusive Breast-Feeding for at Least
4 Months Protects Against Otitis Media. Pediatrics 91 (5): 867-872.
Duffy, L; Faden, H; Wasielewski, J; Wolf, D; Krystofik, D; Tonawanda/Williamsville
Pediatrics (1997). Exclusive Breastfeeding Protects Against Bacterial
Colonization and Day Care Exposure to Otitis Media. Pediatrics
100:e7.
Owen, Mary Jean; Baldwin, Constance; Swank, Paul; Pannu, Amarjit; Johnson,
Dale; Howie, Virgil (1993). Relation of Infant Feeding Practices, Cigarette
Smoke Exposure, and Group Child Care to the Onset and Duration of Otitis
Media with Effusion in the First Two Years of Life. Journal of Pediatrics
123 (5): 702-711.
The
golden Bow is a symbol for the protection, promotion and support of
breastfeeding. One loop represents the mother, the other represents
the child. The knot symbolises the father, family and society who play
a pivotal role in creating a conducive environment for breastfeeding.
The gold colour shows that breastfeeding is the gold standard for infant
feeding. The Golden Bow is a joint outreach initiative of the United
Nations ChildrenÕs Fund (UNICEF) and WABA. Wear it proudly, and tell
everyone who asks of its many meanings!
For more information, visit
WomenÕs Health
Action is producing and selling golden bow lapel pins in New Zealand
for $2.50 each (including handling and packaging). Please send cheques
made out to WomenÕs Health Action Trust, PO Box 9947, Newmarket, Auckland
Include your name and postal address and number you require. We encourage
you to get them and wear them during World Breastfeeding Week to be
part of the celebration of BREASTFEEDING
