Crimean Federal University named by V. I.

Vernadsky
Medical Academy named by S. I. Georgievsky
Department of Propaedeutics of Pediatrics
Head of the Department prof. Trishina S. V.

ESSAY TITLE
Breastfeeding: arguments for and against

Completed
by the student of the group LA4 CO 218(2)
DHONTHIREDDY RAJA JOSEPH REDDY

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However,
nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that
has not improved in 2 decades.
Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help
protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and
nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half
or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third
during the second year of life.

Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese
and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast
and ovarian cancers.

Inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues to undermine efforts to improve

breastfeeding rates and duration worldwide.

Up to what age can a baby stay well nourished by just being breastfed?

Infants should be exclusively breastfed – i.e. receive only breast milk – for the first six months of
life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. "Exclusive breastfeeding" is defined as
giving no other food or drink – not even water – except breast milk. It does, however, allow the
infant to receive oral rehydration salts (ORS), drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and
medicines). Breast milk is the ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants;
breastfeeding is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for
the health of mothers.

WHO recommends that infants start receiving complementary foods at six months (180 days)
of age in addition to breast milk. Foods should be adequate, meaning that they provide
sufficient energy, protein and micronutrients to meet a growing child's nutritional needs. Foods
should be prepared and given in a safe manner to minimize the risk of contamination. Feeding
young infants requires active care and stimulation to encourage the child to eat.

The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to full use of family foods is a very vulnerable
period. It is the time when many infants become malnourished, contributing significantly to the
high prevalence of malnutrition in children under five years of age worldwide. It is essential
therefore that infants receive appropriate, adequate and safe complementary foods to ensure
the right transition from the breastfeeding period to the full use of family foods.
Giving water to young babies puts them at risk of diarrhoea and malnutrition. Water may not be
clean and cause the baby to have infections. Giving water may also cause the baby to drink less
breastmilk or to stop breastfeeding early and therefore cause malnutrition. If mothers give water
instead of breastfeeding it will also cause the mother to have less milk in the future.

Breast milk is more than 80% water, especially the first milk that comes with each feed.
Therefore, whenever the mother feels her baby is thirsty she can breastfeed him or her. This
will satisfy the bay’s thirst, and continue to protect the baby from infections, and help the baby
to continue to grow well. Babies do not need water before they are 6 months old, even in a hot
climate. This is one of the reasons that WHO recommends for children to be exclusively
breastfed for the first 6 months of life.

A child is considered exclusively breastfed when he or she receives only breast milk, without any
additional food or liquid, even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, drops,
syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines. When breastfeeding, the mother gives her baby all the
water he or she needs, while providing “safe water” and protecting the baby against diarrhoea.

Amounts of foods to offer:-

Age Texture Frequency Amount at each meal

2–3 meals per day,
Start with thick Start with 2–3
plus frequent
porridge, well mashed tablespoonfuls per
breastfeeds
6–8 months foods feed, increasing
Depending on the
Continue with mashed gradually to ½ of a
child's appetite, 1–2
family foods 250 ml cup
snacks may be offered
 Age Texture Frequency Amount at each meal
3–4 meals per day,
Finely chopped or
plus breastfeeds
mashed foods, and ½ of a 250 ml
9–11 months Depending on the
foods that baby can cup/bowl
child's appetite, 1–2
pick up
snacks may be offered
3–4 meals per day,
plus breastfeeds
Family foods, chopped ¾ to full 250 ml
12–23 months Depending on the
or mashed if necessary cup/bowl
child's appetite, 1–2
snacks may be offered

Note: If baby is not breastfed, give in addition: 1–2 cups of milk per day, and 1–2 extra meals
per day.

For and Against Breastfeeding in Public

1. Breastfeeding in public is more convenient than bottle feeding in public. Breastmilk

is sterile and always at the correct temperature. No hunting around for somewhere to
warm a bottle and waiting for it to be warmed whilst your baby abuses your, and
everyone else’s, eardrums.
2. Being a hermit is not much fun.
3. You never forget to take your breasts out with you.
4. Nursing covers are an unnecessary and highly unfashionable expense. They also act
as a flag that says, “I am breastfeeding my baby now”, thus defeating the point.
5. Try telling a hungry three month old, “wait until we get home”.
6. It gets rid of the in-laws and other irritants (see this post).
7. You will receive brownie points from intelligent, informed people. Some
will approach and ask for your autograph.
8. A nappy and a pack of wipes is all you need to take out with you. No bottles
or formula to lug around.
9. No formula powder, water or milk exploding in your bag.
10. No having to go back home because you’ve ran out of milk.
11. It normalises breastfeeding and encourages more mums to breastfeed. More women
view breastfeeding, thus more women likely to breastfeed, which causes greater
health for the nation, and less NHS expenditure.
12. Expressing breastmilk is tedious and can reduce supply as well as risking
nipple confusion.
13. Not breastfeeding in public can lead to mums giving their baby formula for
public outings (not everyone can express) thus damaging their baby’s virgin gut
and diminishing their breastmilk supply.
14. Not breastfeeding in public reinforces the myth that nursing is ‘obscene’ and
should be obscured.
15. Not breastfeeding in public harms the environment. A nursing mum would be using
a lot of petrol driving back and forth between public and home for feedings. If she
chooses to use formula for public outings, there is the added environmental damage
caused by formula paraphernalia (Why Breastfeeding is Best for Babies…and the
Environment. Eco-Mama).
16. Not breastfeeding in public often leads to weaning too early (Poll Results: Moms Who
Don’t Cover Do Breastfeed Longer. Breastfeeding Moms Unite)
17. You’re not taking up a toilet cubical from someone waiting to use it for its
intended purpose. (Would you eat your meal in a toilet?)
18. You won’t have to declare your boobs for inspection at the airport.
19. It’s hands free and facilitates effortless multitasking. Just place babe in a sling. Now
you have both hands available to inspect bargains/eat cake/bitch on Mumsnet in Costa
whilst feeding your baby the good stuff.
20. Get a soothing oxytocin rush on tap. Perfect for de-stressing during a relentless
shopping spree or intense family reunion (Breastfeeding and Resilience
Against Psychosocial Stress. Arch Dis Child. 2006).
21. Hunting around for a designated ‘Breastfeeding Area’ is like looking for a needle in
a haystack. It is time-consuming and can be distressing with an inconsolable infant in
tow.
22. It’s your legal right. The Equality Act 2010 has made it illegal for anyone to ask a
breastfeeding woman to leave a public place such as a cafe, shop or public
transport (Click here for more info info about the law and how to sue).
23. It’s a feminist act. “The more women breastfeed out in the open, the more everybody will
get to see women’s breasts fulfilling its natural function of feeding babies, the less taboo
the breast becomes, and the less obsessed men will be by it.” (Breastfeeding
 in Public
& Discreet Nursing. Female Intelligence Agency).
24. Cleaner clothes. Breastfed babies spit up less, and there’s nothing worse than
being publically marinated in milk with no change of clothes (The Prevalence of
Regurgitations in the First 2 Days of Life in Human Milk- and Formula-Fed Term
Infants. Breastfeed Med. 2006).
25. Harmonious outings. Nursing is a natural baby tranquiliser. Not only do the
hormones released relax mum, they do the same for baby. So if your baby is fussing
whilst you’re out, you can calm her down instantly. Thus saving you and Joe public
from enduring screaming baby.
26. Comfortable baby. No matter what the temperature is outside, your breasts heat your
baby up more effectively than any blanket. They can detect a one degree drop in
your baby’s temperature and warm up accordingly. Like a mobile hot water bottle.
Likewise they can cool down if your baby is overheated. (Immediate Maternal
Thermal Response to Skin-to-Skin Care of Newborn. Bergström A et al).
27. It’s a confidence booster. Once you’ve got the hang of this public breastfeeding lark
it feels liberating. It boosts your confidence as a mother when you see your ability to
meet your child’s needs immediately and on demand.
28. Random strangers will wait on you. Most people are aware that breastfeeding can
be thirsty work. From shop assistants to waiters – free beverages coming your way!
29. It helps the economy and local businesses rather than simply lining the pockets
of Cow & Gate et al. Mums who nurse in public spend their money in public
cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and pubs rather than hiding at home.
30. Breastmilk ‘from the source’ is permanently fresh, whereas prepared formula can
only be kept unrefrigerated for 1 hour (Formula Feeding FAQs. Kids Health). Is that
enough time to go anywhere? Readymade formula cartons stay useable for longer but
are significantly more expensive.
31. The ‘blanket over the head’ look is so 1990s.
32. The wet t-shirt look is equally outdated. Your baby will cry and your breasts
WILL respond whether convenience allows or not. Yes your breasts have ears, and
like babies, breasts are impatient.
33. Less risk of mastitis as your breasts will be emptied regularly.
 34. Your older children are not restricted by their younger sibling’s need to nurse. They
can visit the same places and participate in the same activities as any other child.
35. It’s ironic but not breastfeeding in public is antisocial. You have to leave interesting
conversations/dinners/parties to nurse in a room on your own for an indefinite
amount of time.
36. Breastfeeding in public helps to heal lactophobic people. Research shows that the
best way to overcome a phobia is Exposure Therapy. “This consists of exposing you
to the very thing you are afraid of” (Phobia Fear Release. Heering. J). People who
have a negative response to viewing breastfeeding need to view more of it, then the
act will no longer elicit a sensational reaction.

Arguments AGAINST Breastfeeding in Public:

1. Upon seeing you breastfeed every formula feeder within a 1 mile radius will
launch into a 20 minute presentation on why they “couldn’t” breastfeed.
2. Your boob might get cold.

Conclusion:-

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.

If breastfeeding were scaled up to near universal levels, about 820 000 child lives would be
saved every year (1). Globally, only 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively
breastfed.

WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and
young children. This fact file explores the many benefits of the practice, and how strong
support to mothers can increase.

Mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth;

Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth,

Development and health, and thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements,
infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing
to be breastfed; and

Breastfeeding should continue for up to two years or beyond.

Breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial

REFERENCES:-

https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/breastfeeding

https://www.thealphaparent.com/for-and-against-breastfeeding-in-public/