Child Development and Public Health
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most important public health
measures designed to contribute to children’s health and development in many
countries all over the world. This topic is meaningful to me because breast
milk has been described as the perfect food for the baby. Breastfeeding also
provides many nutritional and health benefits for the continued development of
the baby’s brain and to strengthen the baby’s immune system to fight off
diseases and sicknesses. Breast feeding may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome.
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports breastfeeding
exclusively for the first six months and supports continued breastfeeding along
with complimentary foods for the first year and beyond as long as it is reciprocally
desired by mother and child.
Although breastfeeding is natural, it is a learned skill for
both mother and baby and as mother and baby enjoy this special bonding
experience, it causes her uterus to
contract and return to its normal size. Mom may also lower the risk of
osteoporosis and some breast and ovarian cancers.
This information will certainly impact my future work as I
am interested in enlightening mothers, families, caregivers and other
professionals on the importance of nutrition to early childhood development. It
is also my intention to become more involved in community work to advocate
awareness on nutrition for early childhood development.
(Baby News:
Caring for, 2012).
I also wish to post information about Breastfeeding from the
Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is a part of the Caribbean and they were celebrating
their annual Breastfeeding Awareness Week from Wednesday August 1- Tuesday,
August 7, 2012. This information is also representative of what is taking place in the Caribbean as it relates to the promotion of Breastfeeding in early childhood.
GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman (GIS) --
The Cayman Islands will join the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
in celebrating their annual Breastfeeding Awareness Week from Wednesday August
1- Tuesday, August 7, 2012.
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)
celebrates its twentieth anniversary in 2012.In 1992 the World Alliance for
Breastfeeding Action (WABA) launched the World Breastfeeding Week campaign to
focus and facilitate action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Since then, each year, WBW has put the spotlight on various breastfeeding
issues.
The 2012 Theme is “Understanding the Past- Planning for the Future”. It focuses on the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (GSIYCF) which was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ten years ago. Implementing the Global Strategy effectively is essential to increase breastfeeding rates: in particular exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
According to a UNICEF report in January 2012, “In the developing world, progress in exclusive breastfeeding has been modest, improving from 32 percent around 1995 to 39 percent around 2010, a relative increase of about 17 percent. Prevalence has increased in all regions with available trend data except the Middle East and North Africa, and many countries have achieved substantial improvements. The Central and Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS) region has made particularly noteworthy progress”.
In the Cayman Islands, the Health Services Authority’s (HSA’s) Nutritionist Simone Sheehan notes that staff supports the message of early and exclusive breastfeeding with the introduction of appropriate complimentary feeding at around six months of age. “We are consistently stepping up our efforts in relating this message to mothers of new born infants”. She added that while breastfeeding is a learned behavior, it is important to remember that the journey to successful breastfeeding begins with the support of families, healthcare providers, employers, and by and large the community.
The Cayman Islands has many resources to support breastfeeding families. Each new mother is given an information packet which includes helpful tips and resources for their journey ahead. They also receive a contact list of group members whom they are encouraged to call with questions or concerns. These volunteers are experienced mothers or health care professionals.
Expectant mothers are also sensitized about breast feeding and its importance to both mother and baby, as well as other issues relating to pregnancy and lactation, through Parent Craft classes held at the Cayman Islands Hospital Mondays at 5:30 pm.
The Breast Feeding Support group will be on duty on Thursday, August 2 at 10am -12 noon at the Cayman Islands Hospital Women’s Health Clinic to answer any questions regarding breast feeding. Support will also be offered to mothers who are having any difficulty or concerns in breast feeding.
For more information on Breast Feeding Week, Parent Craft classes and other activities planned for new mothers during the month of August, call Simone Sheehan on 244-2655.
The 2012 Theme is “Understanding the Past- Planning for the Future”. It focuses on the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (GSIYCF) which was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ten years ago. Implementing the Global Strategy effectively is essential to increase breastfeeding rates: in particular exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
According to a UNICEF report in January 2012, “In the developing world, progress in exclusive breastfeeding has been modest, improving from 32 percent around 1995 to 39 percent around 2010, a relative increase of about 17 percent. Prevalence has increased in all regions with available trend data except the Middle East and North Africa, and many countries have achieved substantial improvements. The Central and Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS) region has made particularly noteworthy progress”.
In the Cayman Islands, the Health Services Authority’s (HSA’s) Nutritionist Simone Sheehan notes that staff supports the message of early and exclusive breastfeeding with the introduction of appropriate complimentary feeding at around six months of age. “We are consistently stepping up our efforts in relating this message to mothers of new born infants”. She added that while breastfeeding is a learned behavior, it is important to remember that the journey to successful breastfeeding begins with the support of families, healthcare providers, employers, and by and large the community.
The Cayman Islands has many resources to support breastfeeding families. Each new mother is given an information packet which includes helpful tips and resources for their journey ahead. They also receive a contact list of group members whom they are encouraged to call with questions or concerns. These volunteers are experienced mothers or health care professionals.
Expectant mothers are also sensitized about breast feeding and its importance to both mother and baby, as well as other issues relating to pregnancy and lactation, through Parent Craft classes held at the Cayman Islands Hospital Mondays at 5:30 pm.
The Breast Feeding Support group will be on duty on Thursday, August 2 at 10am -12 noon at the Cayman Islands Hospital Women’s Health Clinic to answer any questions regarding breast feeding. Support will also be offered to mothers who are having any difficulty or concerns in breast feeding.
For more information on Breast Feeding Week, Parent Craft classes and other activities planned for new mothers during the month of August, call Simone Sheehan on 244-2655.
References:
(2012). Baby News: Caring for Yourself and Your Newborn.
Marietta, GA: Life Events Inc.
Breastfeeding is very important for mothers to offer their babies right after they are born. Its wonderful to hear that they Cayman Islands are promoting breastfeeding to their mothers and infants. I had no idea that breastfeeding helps fight against SIDS. You did some wonderful research to gain great information about promoting breastfeeding. Great job.
ReplyDeleteSharon, let us continue to be advocates for breast feeding. I am also from the Caribbean Islands, and your posting with the Cayman Islands promoting breast feeding, will make others around the world aware that the Caribbean Islands are in support of, as well as, promoting breast feeding, since it is very important for babies health.
ReplyDeleteJoanne.
Thank you for your wonderful post-- You've really provided a wealth of information and an enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteKatelyn