Importance of Breastfeeding Infants

Importance of Breastfeeding Infants

In the contemporary world, there exists different parenting trends and developments that significantly diverge from the traditional ideals towards breastfeeding and the general raising of the children. Compounded by strong feminist opinions that perceive such acts as ways that the society continues to enslave women, the aspect of breastfeeding remains contentious and thorny. Though multiple scientific studies have highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding to both the mothers and the infant, dissenting voices continue to grow, demanding the abolishment of such practices (Shamir, 2016). Despite the dissenting voices, multiple studies have pointed out that breastfeeding remains the most efficient way of feeding infants. The breast milk also contains antibodies that are essential in enhancing the immune system of the infant as well as the presence of colostrum in the milk at the initial breastfeeding stages that is rich in proteins (Shamir, 2016). However, the opposing voices point out to lack of the bonding and the pain they feel during the act and also grounding their assertions on the tenets of feminism.

Therefore, breastfeeding continues to elicit mixed opinions from the proponents and the divergent voices as the former point out to the scientific researches concerning its benefits while the latter ride on the personal experience regarding the whole act of breastfeeding. Thus, the essay examines both the pro and con perspectives alternately relying on several studies and the opinions presented in the studies.

First, studies have pointed out that breast milk remains readily available, useful in boosting the immune system and proper meal for infants below six months at all costs. Maruyama et al. (2016) hold that during the early stages of development, the digestive system of the child is relatively fragile and under-developed, making it relatively hard to digest processed food. Based on such anatomical make-up of the digestive system, the infant cannot adequately handle heavy meals, even the milk bought from the shops leave alone the processed food (Maruyama et al., 2016). Before they reach six months, these children are highly vulnerable to constipation if they are subjected to other meals apart from breast milk from their mothers. However, breast milk is highly digestible, and the components of breast milk could be easily broken down by the fragile and less developed digestive system of the infants. Further, breastfeeding provides the infants with the much-needed antibodies that boost their immune system at that tender age. When children are born, their immune system is relatively weak. Such instance relates to them being highly susceptible to infections and the contraction of illnesses. Several studies have pointed out that children who got breastfed are less likely to suffer from diarrhea and other communicable diseases compared to the children who were never subjected to breastfeeding (Maruyama et al., 2016). The studies attribute this disparity to the fact that these infants have a healthy immune system boosted by the antibodies that are found in breast milk.

However, the opposing individuals hold that breastfeeding subjects mothers to both emotional and physical drainage. The opposition towards breastfeeding emanates from the physical pain that women undergo during the first few days of breastfeeding. According to a study conducted by McClellan et al. (2012), it was established that almost 70 percent of the first mother feel pain when breastfeeding their infants, and aspect that leads to reduced milk production among the mothers. Therefore, these mothers prefer other alternative means of feeding their children to substitute for the dominant method of feeding the child. In this regard, over 67 percent of the mothers that were involved in the study pointed out their preference in using formula feeding methods in feeding their children over breast milk (McClellan et al., 2012). According to these women, the choice of using the formula feeds is due to its ease in digestion, just as breast milk. The dissenting voices also point out to the alleged proportionate nutrient composition that makes such meals just as effective as the breast milk. For example, during the first week of lactating, mothers often feel pain at the nipple due to blocked pores. Such pain is exacerbated when a child suckles the breast of the mother, an aspect that most opponents of breastfeeding dread.

Again, the proponents of breastfeeding point out to the richness in nutrients as well as the dynamism attributed to breastfeeding.  Shamir et al. (2016) highlight that compared to the processed foods and those meals that are given to the infants during weaning, breast milk has all the minerals, and nutrient composition naturally rendered proportionate. It cannot pose a considerable threat to the children even if consumed in more massive proportions or frequently. In most instances, mothers are at risk of subjecting the children to extreme portions of foods that are opposed to breast milk. Again, the colostrum that is present in the breast milk at the beginning of the lactation among mothers is essential for increasing the biomass weight among the infants. Several studies have established that the colostrum contains proteins that are vital in improving the development of the infant. Its high digestibility compounded by the proportionate distribution of minerals and nutrients renders it easy for the children to gain weight, achieve optimum growth, and effectively ensure that the infant grows healthy (Shamir et al., 2016). It is naturally self-regulating, and the infant can readily have it at any time, and it would still be in right nutrient proportions.

Contrastingly, in opposing the above assertion, the dissenting voices point out that breastfeeding is a laborious process that needs planning and consumes a lot of time of the mothers compared to the mere preparation of alternative meals (Boyer, 2012). The people opposed to breastfeeding hold that the process is complicated as it cannot be conducted unprepared. For example, Boyer (2012) highlights that due to the societal stereotyping about breastfeeding, women prefer giving their children processed meals. The opponents of breastfeeding opine that compared to processed food, which needs a single sitting for the preparation to be complete, breastfeeding needs the mother to engage in the act regularly, hindering their freedom and access to various places that prohibit breastfeeding among mothers (Boyer, 2012). In that case, breastfeeding is not only seen as a nuisance by those dissenting voices but also viewed as a hurdle that prevents mothers from attending to their schedules without getting worried about their children starving. In that regard, the dissenting voices point out that giving the infants processed foods or any other alternative form of feeding must take into account the nutritional composition just like breast milk. The practice is to save the mothers from getting impeded by breastfeeding and getting worried about their children starving or not getting enough nutrients.

In a study supporting the importance of breastfeeding, social psychologists highlight that essential bonding between the infant and the mother gets fostered during breastfeeding.  According to Jeurink et al. (2019), several studies have pointed out that the face to face interactions between the mother and the infant during breastfeeding leads to a strong bond that remains unbreakable between the mother and the infant. In that regard, children that had less or no contact with the mother during infancy through breastfeeding is bound to remain isolated and antisocial. Thus, breastfeeding is the first step, where mothers and their children bond effectively. The study adds that breastfeeding helps in developing the uterus after birth and in lowering the level of calories in lactating mothers as the suckling effect of the child stimulates the production of oxytocin hormone in women (Jeurink et al., 2019). The hormone is essential in restructuring and redevelopment of the uterus after birth as it stimulates the healing process and the reshaping of such organs. Consequently, mothers who lactate their children are bound to attain postnatal healing faster than mothers who are not lactating.

However, in opposition, several respondents point out that there is no attachment, affiliation, or bonding that they feel when they breastfeed their children. Buoyed by the feminist perspectives that support equality between the genders, the people against breastfeeding cites several aspects that they have concluded as untrue concerning breastfeeding. Through a survey in Nordic countries, several respondents refuted the assertion that breastfeeding creates a bond between the mother and the infant, as well as the fact that it helps in the healing and reshaping of the ovary, remains a myth to them (Símonardóttir & Gíslason, 2018). The dissenting voices view such assertions as a conduit for the perpetuation of patriarchal claims that are bent on putting women within a discourse perpetuated by men and held firmly by various people in the society. Several respondents admitted that they feel more attached to their children more, especially if they do not breastfeed them (Símonardóttir & Gíslason, 2018). In extreme cases, others reported feeling horrible when breastfeeding their children but were proud when the infants were feeding on other avenues apart from the breast milk.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding is an essential undertaking that all new mothers should embark on since it has multiple health benefits for both the mother and the infant. Through elaborate and well-laid down planning, the initiative could be vital in offering an infant a readily available meal rich in nutrients and proportionate nutrient distribution. There are aspects of mutual benefit that characterizes breastfeeding as both the mother and the infant benefits immensely from the act. As infants enjoy the nutritional and health values that relate to breastfeeding, the mothers benefit from a fastened development of the womb and a strong bond and connection such activities create between her and the infant. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that there is a deliberate effort by the mothers to engage in the lactation of their children.