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Reproduction and Maternal Health

Breastfeeding

What is it?
Why is it important?
Resources
References

 

What Is It?

Breastfeeding is a natural process to provide nutrition to an infant after giving birth.

 

Why Is It Important?

Breastfeeding has many benefits. It allows for mother-baby bonding and also improves the health of the baby. Breastfeeding is associated with less bacterial and viral infections in the baby. Breast-fed infants are three times less likely to be rehospitalized for childhood illnesses in the first year than formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding can lower the costs of infant care by not buying formula milk. For moms, breastfeeding can help them lose weight.

Asian female immigrants tend not to breastfeed their babies after they have immigrated to the United States , even though the majority of them breastfed in their native countries. The most common reasons for not breastfeeding include having to return to school or work; worrying about insufficient milk; convenience; and belief that bottle-milk was healthier than breast-milk. Some Asian women also believe that formula milk has extra nutrients; however, breast milk contains more beneficial components. Other reasons for lower breastfeeding rates include the desire to share the care of the baby with the family and the belief that differences in diet in the United States which may affect the quality of breast milk.

Resources

• An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding
http://www.4woman.gov/pub/breastfeeding.htm

• Asian American Health
http://asianamericanhealth.nlm.nih.gov/intro.html

• Breastfeeding Materials in Languages Other than English - La Leche League International
http://www.lalecheleague.org/LLLIlang.html

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/support-community.htm

• Medline Plus on Breastfeeding
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastfeeding.html

 

References

• Ghaemi-Ahmadi, S. (1992). Attitudes toward breastfeeding and infant feeding among Iranian, Afghan, and Southeast Asian immigrant women in the United States : implications for health and nutrition education. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 92 (3), 354 – 356

• Tuttle, CR & Dewey, KG. (1994). Determinants of infant feeding choices among Southeast Asian immigrants in Northern California. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 94 (3), 282 – 287