Explain at least 3 advantages and 3 potential disadvantages or concerns related to breastfeeding.
Advantages and disadvantage of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the most productive ways of ensuring a child’s health and survival. According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding should start within the first hour after a baby is born and should continue solely for six months. The first advantage of breastfeeding is that it is offers many nutritional benefits for the infant. Additionally, breast milk is the healthiest food for a child. It contains a colostrum that boosts the baby’s health and everything an infant’s body requires for the first six months. Moreover, breastfeeding aids in quickening the post-partum recovery for lactating mothers. Besides, breastfeeding minimizes the risks of developing ovarian cysts and breast cancer in women after giving birth. Furthermore, it provides a convenient and efficient way of feeding a newborn. Additionally, breast milk create an eccentric bond between the mother and the infant. The bond establishes a strong relationship between the mother and the infant in the long run.
However, breastfeeding can be uncomfortable or painful in cases of sore nipples. It deprives the mother of her freedom since she has to be available for every feeding time. Also, breastfeeding requires leading an empathetic and healthy lifestyle, especially on a diet. Lactating mothers ought to be very careful about substances that might be harmful to the baby.
Explain at least 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages or concerns about formula feeding.
Formula feeding is an alternative to breastfeeding. It is a manufactured form of milk designed to feed newborns below twelve months. It is available usually in powder and is mixed with a liquid to ease the bottle feeding. The first advantage of formula feeding is that it relieves the mother off from all-time breastfeeding. Also, it makes the baby’s transition from breastmilk to wholemeal easier since its body has adapted to foreign materials. Furthermore, formula milk quickens the baby’s brain development.
One of the disadvantages of formula feeding is that it is not as nutritious as breastmilk. Also, it exposes the baby to health risks in cases it tampers with their immune system. Formula feeding is also an added expense.
Describe the impact that breastfeeding has on a working mother.
Breastfeeding has both positive and negative effects on working mothers. Two significant factors affect working mothers’ decisions to solely nursing their newborns; their decision towards breastfeeding and the fundamental comprehension of breastfeeding based on their workplace factors (Nojiri et al., 2020). For many working mothers, breastfeeding serves as a reconnection to their infants after a long working day. The reconnection gives them a feeling of accomplishment and reduces the anxiety of leaving their babies for a whole day. Women with less education about breastfeeding while working always opt formula feeding to save up time while working. It is also evident that most working mothers end up breastfeeding prematurely due to the prevailing workplace conditions as compared to non-working mothers (Dinour & Szaro, 2017). On the other hand, breastfeeding can be a challenge to working mothers. It requires a lot of energy and planning on how to balance the nursing duties and work.
Describe at least 1 legal issue and/or recent legislation related to breastfeeding.
The federal health reform for nursing mothers passed a breastfeeding state policy, the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2019, that requires employers to provide maximum support to nursing mothers (NCSL, 2020). The law requires that the employer offers a sensible break for the nursing mother team member to attend to her newborn. The law also encapsulates that public buildings should contain at least a secluded place with a chair where a nursing mother can use to breastfeed or express milk while in public.
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