Introduction
Breastfeeding is the most effective way of nourishing a baby in infancy, in all mammals, breast milk is secreted from by the mammary glands. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth. This is because breast milk has all nutrient and energy needed for child survival. Since time immemorial, suckling was the only way used by lactating mothers to provide for the baby. However, at present, there are milk formulations used as alternatives to breastfeeding.
Advantages of Breast Feeding
Breast milk is the most ideal for babies, it contains all the nutrients to nourish the baby. In addition, it has antibodies, which help in protecting the baby against childhood diseases. Suckling provides clean and safe milk to the infant unlike other foods or drinks handled by a person. Lactating has advantages to the mother and a child, females who breastfed have a lower risk of developing ovarian and breast cancers (Azad et al., 2018). Infants feeding on breast milk are less likely to develop diabetes, cancer, diarrhea, respiratory disease, asthma, or obesity.
Disadvantages of Breast Feeding
A mother should make healthy lifestyle choices when breastfeeding. There is also a possibility of the baby reacting to specific foods, which requires the mother to stop using them. In addition, a mother is prohibited from taking alcohol and caffeine. There are problems associated with lactating, which are painful such as breast engorgement, plugged milk ducts, mastitis, and sore nipples. A person has to be available as the baby suckles for the first few months after birth, this curtails freedom of movement.
Advantages of Formula Feeding
A mother can understand the amount of food that a baby needs to be full. This is because food taken by the infant at a time can be measured. Formula feeding does not restrict a mother to specific diets, thus alcohol and caffeine can be enjoyed. The artificial milk contains much proteins, which makes the digestion process take more time. This is advantageous for working mothers since babies feed less often.
Disadvantages of Formulae Feeding
The formula milk, which is a modification of cow’s milk does not have all the nutrients required by the baby. Since the mixture is static, it does not respond to the needs of an infant. Conversely, breast milk composition changes daily as the infant grows. Additionally, the formula does not have all nutrients required by the brain to reach its maximum potential. Thus, babies on artificial feeding have low intelligence relative to the breastfed ones. Lastly, baby formula is meant for nourishment only, it does not have immune-boosting ability or life cells that protect a baby against diseases.
Impacts of Breast Feeding on Working Mothers
The rate of breastfeeding among working mothers is low due to workplace barriers. However, determined lactating women express milk for the babies at their workplace (Dinour & Szaro, 2017). This reduces job productivity because breaks are taken during working hours to pump the milk. The amount of milk produced over time depends on suckling frequency. Since working women have limited time with their children, milk production is highly reduced.
Legal Issue Related to Breast Feeding
Employers are required to give reasonable breaks for lactating mothers to pump milk for their babies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In addition, section 4207 of the law, which amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 (29 U.S. Code 207) supports breastfeeding mothers. It states that a reasonably clean place other than the toilets should be provided in the workplace for mothers to express milk. Furthermore, the law prohibits an employer from compensating an employee during a reasonable break time.
References
Azad, M. B., Vehling, L., Chan, D., Klopp, A., Nickel, N. C., McGavock, J. M., & Taylor, M. S. (2018). Infant feeding and weight gain: Separating breast milk from breastfeeding and formula from food. Pediatrics, 142(4).
Dinour, L. M., & Szaro, J. M. (2017). Employer-based programs to support breastfeeding among working mothers: A systematic review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(3), 131-141.