Breastfeeding and Lactation: Research Summary on Infant Development

This report summarizes research on the benefits of breastfeeding for infants aged 0-2 months. It highlights that exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, promoting health benefits and disease resistance. The report emphasizes cognitive, socio-emotional, language, and physic...Read More

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23 Mar 2019
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The present report provides a research summary on the 0-2-month-old infant from reliable
sources. The Breastfeeding and Human lactation, on p. 41 describe evidence based on
breastfeeding practices in conjunction with health benefits for the development of the child.
Breastfeeding should be exclusively given to the infant for the first six months and that no
other supplement is recommended for infants (Wambach and Riordan 2016). Likewise, the
website of Healthy WA, the Government of Western Australia, it recommends that
breastfeeding increases the ability of the baby to fight against diseases, allergies, and
infection such as diarrhoea, necrotizing enterocolitis, leukaemia, and type 1 diabetes
(Department of Health 2019). Moreover, it is easily digestible by the baby as compared to
any other food source.
Cognitive – The society and family member are also encouraged to promote breastfeeding for
newly born infants (Kohan, Heidari, and Keshvari 2016). They are prohibited from giving
formulated milk to their new-born babies and suggested only for a natural supplement.
Socio-emotional – In this context, the Australian Breastfeeding Association provides
information in conjunction with the required training to the healthcare professionals and the
importance of education regarding breastfeeding for both infants and mother (Department of
Health 2019).
Language – The focus is on the government efforts of including this concept in the health
promotion programs. Mothers are advised by the breastfeeding counsellors in the easiest
language to practice breastfeeding (Taylor and Wallace 2017).
Physical/motor development – It increases the infant's resistance power of their immune
system and satisfies all the nutritional requirement for the initial developmental phase
(Nelson 2017).
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What if child is unable to receive breast milk – The evidence for breastfeeding practices
support that appropriate growth for physical development and intellectual development of the
child is solemnly dependent on the lactation feeding form mother. In case, if child is unable
to receive breast milk, alternative milk supplement can be provided, however, it may affect
the overall development of infant and can reduce the immunity.
References
Department of Health, 2019, Government of Western Australia, Page (1). Retrieved from
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Breastfeeding on 23 Mar 2019.
Kohan, S., Heidari, Z. and Keshvari, M., 2016. Facilitators for empowering women in
breastfeeding: A qualitative study. International Journal of Pediatrics, 4(1), pp.1287-1296.
Nelson, A.M., 2017. Risks and benefits of swaddling healthy infants: an integrative
review. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 42(4), pp.216-225.
Taylor, E.N. and Ebert Wallace, L., 2017. Risky business: breastfeeding promotion policy
and the problem of risk language. Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, 38(4), pp.547-563.
Wambach, K. and Riordan, J. eds., 2016. Breastfeeding and human lactation. Jones &
Bartlett Learning.
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