Exclusive Breast Feeding

Background

Developing countries are presented with many challenges due to their poor sanitation of water sources.  The most critical time in a child’s life is the first year, particularly the first six months.  It is recommended that mother’s breastfeed exclusively to prevent the occurrence of diarrheal and infectious diseases.  At the end of the six months, it is recommended that they continue to breastfeed, while weaning the child from breast milk only.  Weaning may be defined as gradually introducing the child to whole food which may include cereal with formula.  This task is tedious for mothers who do not have a source of clean water; this could potentially increase the risk of a child suffering from a diarrheal disease. Therefore, it is recommended that children are exclusively breastfeed for one to two years.  During this period the child will be able to develop a stronger immune system which will allow them to fight possible contamination.  While this task is challenging and in some cases impossible, it is necessary for the future of children and communities in developing countries.

Reccomendations

To successfully feel an infant on non-human milk or formula, the following things are needed:

1. Clean Water
2. Milk or Formula
3. Safe storage for milk or formula
4. Sanitary containers for administering the milk or formula

The poster below was used in a Peruvian hospital to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies due to the increased risk of diarrhea due to contamination of bottles used in feeding breast milk substitutes.

This poster states that the mother photographed does not use bottles because they get dirty easily and can give their child diarrhea. Also, use of bottles minimize her production of milk. Finally, the baby’s teeth could potentially deform when coming in and have a higher risk of cavities.

Reccommended Duration

The recommended duration of health organizations are as follows:
World Health Organization:

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 or beyond.

American Academy of Pediatrics:

1. Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child.

American Medical Association:

• Recognizes breastfeeding as “the optimal form of nutrition for most infants,” while support the AAP’s recommendation.

 

References

• Beasley, Annette, Amir, Lisa H. “Infant Feeding, Poverty and Human Development”  International Breastfeeding Journal (2007) 2:14, pgs. 1-6.
• The International Breastfeeding Symbol, “Education- Breastfeeding” Retrieved from the official website of The International Breastfeeding Symbol:  http://www.breastfeedingsymbol.org/education/#recommendations
• Kramer, Michael S., Kakuma, Ritsuko. “The Optimal Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review” World Health Organization (2002) pgs. 1-52.
• Guidotti, Tee L., Gitterman, Benjamin. “Global Pediatric Environmental Health” Pediatric Clinics of North America (2007) 54, 335-350.