Policy Power and Politics on Health Care Provision

Running Head: POLICY POWER AND POLITICS ON HEALTH CARE PROVISION 1
POLICY POWER AND POLITICS ON HEALTH CARE PROVISION
Name
Institution Affiliation

POLICY POWER AND POLITICS ON HEALTH CARE PROVISION 2
Policy power and politics on health care provision
Breastfeeding policy
Background of the breastfeeding policy
Breastfeeding policy is an issue of public health concern. It should be taken with a lot of
seriousness because of the importance it brings with it to the health of communities and people
within them (Meedya, Fahy&Kable, 2010). These benefits would include the baby, the mother,
and for the environment.
Benefit for the baby
Breast milk helps babies to supply all the necessary nutrients needed by the baby in the
right proportions; breast milk protects babies against obesity, sickness, and allergies. Breast milk
helps in defending the body from diseases such as diabetes and cancer, infections such as ear
infections; it prevents from diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach due to the easiness of
digestion(Le Huërou-Luron, Blat &Boudry, 2010). Breastfeeding also helps babies to grow with
a healthy weight, as well as increasing IQs in children(Patki, Kadam, Chandra &Bhonde, 2010).
Breastfed remains the perfect food for your baby because it changes in volume, and composition
depending on the time of the day, the age of the baby and nursing frequency hence promoting
healthy growth at each stage of the baby (Schmied, Gribble, Sheehan, Taylor & Dykes, 2011).
Ready and good for the environment
Breast milk has been proven to be the freshest, always at the right temperature, clean and
always free, and has no waste hence good for the environment. Breast milk is always available

POLICY POWER AND POLITICS ON HEALTH CARE PROVISION 3
wherever you are and whenever the baby requires it (Schmied, Gribble, Sheehan, Taylor, &
Dykes, 2011).
Benefit to mothers
Mothers who breastfeed their children in the right manner have the lowest risks of type 2
diabetes and some cancers like breast cancer (Kids, 2011). Mothers practicing the right
breastfeeding have the highest benefit of getting to their normal weight before they got pregnant
as well as being able to strengthen their relationship with their children (Meedya, Fahy&Kable,
2010).
Generally, breastfeeding has not only important to the baby's health in disease prevention
but also to the breastfeeding mother as it has anti-inflammatory and unparalleled immunological
properties. According to a summary published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality (AHRQ) 2007, Babies who are exclusively fed with breast milk within the first six
months are more advantageous than formula-fed infants since a formula-fed infant has been
associated with infections such as diarrhea and ear infections (Meedya, Fahy&Kable, 2010). The
further report state that that ear infection risk is 100 percent among those who are formula-fed
than those who are exclusively fed within their first 6 months.
This breastfeeding report is important because of economic benefit it has to the families,
private and government insurers, employers, and the nation in general. This is by a study done in
more than one decade ago that stated that families that practice good breastfeeding save over
$1,200–$1,500 in the first year alone (Patki, Kadam, Chandra, & Bhonde, 2010).
1. Policy Analysis

POLICY POWER AND POLITICS ON HEALTH CARE PROVISION 4
Politics plays an important role in influencing breastfeeding policies and nursing practices
(Howes et al., 2017). Politicians can make policies that affect nursing practice, nursing
environment and nursing workforce. Their decisions affect nursing policies and change.
Political issues are government based and they dictate how the breastfeeding is practiced
within any country. Sometimes policy making depends on what the political class get from it.
The economic effects of breastfeeding influence the decision on policy making. If the
breastfeeding reduces risks related to economic losses, the policy makers will be encouraged
to make laws that encourage breastfeeding and vice versa (Howes et al., 2017). This means
with the right information regarding economic losses or gain policy makers will be
influenced to make changes or make new policies. For instance, if lack of breastfeeding is
increasing the hospitalization, then the policy likely to be made will focus on restricting
people from not breastfeeding.
Some social beliefs that consider colostrum milk as dirty or curdled milk, bad omen or curse
may discourage breastfeeding in some cultures where there is fear of an evil eye during
breastfeeding (Freeman, 2014). This is mostly feared when engaging in extra marital affairs.
An evil eye is associated with breastfeeding in public and women are made to believe
witchcraft may work against their babies (Freeman, 2014). The fear of sagging breast is also
another cultural believe associated with breastfeeding for long discouraging young mothers
who want to have “sharp” breasts.
Policy issues
Children just like mothers have a problem with breastfeeding which is mostly associated
with prematurity or being small or anatomical issues affecting their feeding (Arroyo et al., 2010).