Do you think breastfeeding is a public health issue?

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• Just the answer I was looking for! Thanks so much!!

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  by Mini_kilt on March 13th, 2007

• That's what made me sad when I couldn't breastfeed, that and the $120 on formula a month

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  by chiism1 is gone 4 good on February 4th, 2009

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• Breastfeeding reduces health care costs. For example, the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics reported in 1994 that $2-4 billion could be saved annually in the US if all women breastfed their babies for 12 weeks. Of the women who initiate breastfeeding, few continue beyond a few weeks. This suggests that women are not receiving adequate support in the efforts.
  Breastfeeding is economical. The cost of formula has increased 150% since the 1980s. The estimated cost of artificial feeding for one year is $855.00.
  Baby formula can be easily contaminated, making the baby very sick.
  Human milk is uniquely suited for human infants. Human milk is a living dynamic fluid specifically produced for human infants. It contains nutrients in the amount and quality needed by the infant. No formula has been produced that replicates the composition of nutrients in human milk. In addition to nutrients, human milk contains enzymes, hormones, growth factors, immunological and anti-allergic factors and prostaglandins. Formula contains nutrients but does not contain any of the other components mentioned above. And, the concentration and bioavailability of nutrients are superior in human milk. For example, fatty acids, unique to human milk, may play a role in infant brain and visual development.
  
  Breastfeeding can save lives.The lack of breastfeeding is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). And human milk may protect premature infants from life-threatening gastrointestinal disease.
  
  Breastfed infants are healthier. For example, infants who are exclusively breastfed for at least four months are half as likely as bottle fed infants to have ear infections in the first year of life. They are less likely to have diarrhea. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the incidence and lessen the severity of bacterial infections such as meningitis, lower respiratory infections, and bacteremia. Breastfeeding is protective against infant botulism. Evidence suggests that exclusive breastfeeding for at least two months protects susceptible children from Type I insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
  Breastfeeding helps mothers recover from childbirth. Breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink to its prepregnancy state and reduces the amount of blood lost after delivery. Mothers who breastfeed for at least three months may lose more weight than bottle-feeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers usually resume their menstrual cycles 20 to 30 weeks later than bottle-feeding women.
  
  Breastfeeding can also keep women healthier throughout their lives. Breastfeeding can be an important factor in child spacing among women who do not use contraceptives. Nursing reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Women who breastfeed their infants are less likely to develop multiple sclerosis. Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. And during lactation, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decline while the beneficial HDL cholesterol level remains high.
  So, yes, it does affect public health.

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  by Nom de guerre on March 13th, 2007

• Okay, I believe you.

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  by gtravels loves her life penguin on March 13th, 2007

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• trolls +6

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  by - retroglide - on March 12th, 2007

• What health issues does the WHO and other agencies raise?

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  by vinc3nt on March 12th, 2007

• thanks. gotta love when the only answer to cite a reputable source is at the bottom - and must have had at least a -5! lol. the truth, it burnssss me! ;-) tx, retroglide

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  by Jessicax23 on March 12th, 2007

• many! google "breastfeeding public health" or "breastfeeding world health" - you'll find a great deal of info. The WHO's baby-friendly initiative would be another topic to read up on.

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  by Jessicax23 on March 12th, 2007

• I understand now that WHO considers Breastfeeding to be a Public Health Issue because it is too quickly replaced by manufactured formula; thus not giving infants the best early nutrition. I was initially thinking of all members of the public, perhaps due to the recent efforts in an Arizona town to prohibit breastfeeding in public. Different definitions of "public".

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  by vinc3nt on March 13th, 2007

• the term "public health" has a very specific meaning in the industry; that is probably where the confusion came in. If you're talking about breastfeeding in public, then I'm not sure what the question is.

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  by Jessicax23 on March 14th, 2007

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• Leave a comment and tell me how I'm wrong instead of being a coward

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  by Vesper on March 12th, 2007

• trolls +6

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  by - retroglide - on March 12th, 2007

• thanks. I've been getting trolled all night. I think I'm going to bed.

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  by Vesper on March 12th, 2007

• I didn't rate but here's my thought..aren't we the public? Isn't things like asbestos and car seats the same kind of thing because it affects the health care system?

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  by Mini_kilt on March 13th, 2007

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• the manner in which it's fed greatly affects its health, too.

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  by Jessicax23 on March 12th, 2007

• +6

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  by - retroglide - on March 12th, 2007

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