Breastfeeding linked to significant decrease in infant mortality.

Breastfeeding linked to significant decrease in infant mortality.

Breastfeeding: A Lifesaving Superpower for Infants

Breastfeeding has long been recognized as crucial for the health and development of infants. It provides essential nutrients and facilitates a special bond between mother and baby. However, a recent study has revealed the astounding impact of breast milk on infant mortality rates. According to this research, breastfeeding is associated with a remarkable 33% reduction in infant deaths within the first year of life. This study, which analyzed nearly 10 million U.S. babies born between 2016 and 2018, expands upon previous findings that suggested a reduction of between 19% and 26% in mortality rates. The implications of these findings are profound and emphasize the imperative nature of breastfeeding.

Dr. Julie Ware, the lead investigator from the Cincinnati Children’s Center for Breastfeeding Medicine, emphasizes that breastfeeding is not solely beneficial due to its nutritional content or the physical closeness it fosters between mother and baby. Rather, breast milk is rich in immune protection molecules and bioactive components, effectively bolstering the baby’s immune system. This protective quality of breast milk is likened to a powerhouse, providing infants with enhanced resilience against a multitude of acute and chronic illnesses.

Breastfeeding for any duration during the first two months reduces the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by up to 40%. Furthermore, if babies are breastfed for a period of four to six months, this risk decreases by a remarkable 60%. Premature infants are also beneficiaries of breastfeeding, as it reduces deaths caused by necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening illness affecting the intestines. These statistics highlight the pivotal role breastfeeding plays in safeguarding the health and well-being of our infants.

The study’s methodology involved utilizing data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, linking birth certificate data with infant mortality data. The analysis involved determining if the initiation of breastfeeding, as recorded on the birth certificate, influenced infant death rates between day 7 and the end of the first year. Factors such as maternal age, education, race and ethnicity, and geographical location were also considered.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization endorse exclusive breastfeeding as the preferred method of nourishment for infants up until six months of age. Both organizations recommend that breastfeeding should be continued in conjunction with solid foods for at least the first two years of life. However, despite these recommendations, breastfeeding rates in the United States currently fall short of the established goals.

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These findings underscore the urgency to promote and support breastfeeding. Dr. Ware acknowledges that there are exceptional circumstances where a mother cannot breastfeed, but it is crucial to provide assistance to those who can and want to breastfeed. This is a collective responsibility that necessitates supportive measures from society as a whole.

One major challenge to breastfeeding stems from the workplace. Dr. Ware emphasizes the importance of paid family leave so that mothers can be present to breastfeed their newborns. Additionally, there needs to be adequate support for breastfeeding mothers upon their return to work. The recent passage of the “Pump for Nursing Mothers’ Act” in the United States is a step in the right direction, as it supports almost all lactating employees in expressing milk when they return to work. Furthermore, access to lactation care for mothers facing early difficulties should be readily available.

Dr. Ware also stresses the significance of providing culturally diverse experts to aid mothers seeking support. This would create an inclusive and comfortable environment for mothers to seek assistance without hesitation. The onus is on society to support and empower mothers, ensuring that their breastfeeding challenges are addressed effectively.

Dr. Maya Bunik, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, commends the study for demonstrating the cost-effective nature of exclusive breastfeeding in reducing infant deaths. She emphasizes that local solutions are vital because breastfeeding initiation rates and the conferred protection differ across regions. For instance, the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states exhibit a reduced death rate of 44% associated with breastfeeding, whereas the Southeast lags behind at 21%.

Dr. Bunik, who also chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics’ section on breastfeeding, advocates for breastfeeding support for pregnant women and mothers of newborns. She believes that providing breastfeeding assistance in the first week of an infant’s life could significantly alleviate the challenges faced by mothers. Just as society encourages birthing classes, breastfeeding classes should be an integral part of educating and preparing families for the arrival of a new baby.

Breastfeeding is a life-saving superpower for infants, capable of dramatically reducing mortality rates and protecting against a host of illnesses. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need to prioritize and support breastfeeding initiatives. By providing comprehensive support systems, such as paid family leave, workplace accommodations, and culturally diverse lactation experts, we can ensure that every mother receives the assistance she needs to give her baby the best start in life.

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Milk supply is established in the first three to four weeks, Dr. Bunik notes, making that time critical for seeking early and frequent assistance from the baby’s primary care provider or a reputable lactation specialist.

Dr. Bunik supports the American Academy of Pediatrics’ section on breastfeeding, which affirms that breastfeeding saves lives and presents numerous benefits for up to two years of nursing.

For more information on the benefits of breastfeeding, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Sources: – Dr. Julie Ware, MD, MPH, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Center for Breastfeeding Medicine – Dr. Maya Bunik, MD, MPH, professor, pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and associate chief medical officer-ambulatory, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora – American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 21, 2023