In 1946 the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition integrates the main concepts of health and identifies that health can be viewed differently by individuals and groups (Bowden, 2006). Health and well-being are the result of a combination of physical, social, intellectual and emotional factors (Dunkley, 2000a). The concept of health promotion has emerged with the increasing realisation in society that our health is one of our most valuable personal assets, as well as an asset for society (Crafter, 1997). The Health Promotion Agency (2008) describes health promotion as a process enabling people to …show more content…
It relies on persuasive tactics to ensure compliance. Being medical-based, it aims to reduce morbidity and reduce premature mortality and is conceptualised around the absence of disease. As midwives do not regard pregnancy and child-birth as states of ill-health, its validity in midwifery care must be questioned (Dunkley, 2000a). The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented (Appendix Two), however difficulties arise in making this information relevant and personal to each woman. Often, simply giving women ‘information’ makes little difference to them (Dunkley, 2000b).
Positive messages about breastfeeding should be evident in the midwife’s practice room (Ewles and Simnett, 2003). Literature and posters that promote breastfeeding can be prominently displayed. All magazines and literature in the waiting room can be examined to ensure that there are no unwanted advertisements or promotions of formula. Health persuasion is based on an assumption that women make rational, conscious decisions about how to feed in response to factual health-related information (Crafter, 2002). Personal attitudes will affect the woman’s decision more than anything; and changing beliefs, values and attitudes is difficult and requires more time, resources and dedication than most midwives have due to over-load of work (Crafter, 1997). Naidoo and Wills (2000) identify four stages in the behaviour-change process, and these can apply to choosing to breastfeed. First, the
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Ottawa Charter defined health promotion as “the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, an individual or group must be able to
The immediate and long-term benefits of breastfeeding have been demonstrated. Mothers are encouraged to begin breastfeeding immediately after delivery, however mothers choosing to breastfeed find numerous challenges once returning to work. There are not appropriate accommodations to support nursing mothers in the workplace. Although there are law in place to support accommodations in the workplace these laws are not enforced and therefore it is virtually impossible for mothers to continue to breastfeed as a result of the significant barriers they face to effectively find suitable accommodations in their workplace. There needs to be a standard for enforcing these policies if the goal is to move toward encouraging all mothers to breastfeed throughout the first 6 months of life.
Proctor and Renfrew, 2000 identified that midwives should combine evidence with clinical expertise as the area they practice in is constantly evolving, so as well as basing their practice on their own experiences they need to use research to ensure they are providing the best possible up to date information.
In this article, “The Ideal and the Real of Breast-Feeding” by Jane E. Brody, Brody brings some good points to light. The campaign to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months in today’s society is becoming increasingly prevalent by health care providers, lactation consultants, and other organizations. Brody’s notable outlook on breastfeeding stems from her own personal experiences with her twin boys. The ever increasing numbers of reasons one should breastfeed and how important it is for the health of the child to continue to grow. As the textbook, “How Children Develop” by Robert Siegler, shows it is a natural life source. Mammals use breast milk as a source of nutrition for their young. Humans have become more reliant on formula feeding.
Two authors independently evaluated each article for relevant using a predefined set of criteria. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were specified and were appropriate for the review. The researchers were concerned with the effect education and support for the mothers had on the exclusive breastfeeding rates of healthy newborns. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCT) or quasi-experimental trails. The types of articles included are those that discussed interventions through education or support given to the mother prenatal/postnatal, or a combination. All delivery types were included. For
I have chosen breastfeeding as my teaching topic for this assignment. The specific clientèle will be the new mother at between 2 and 7 days postpartum, newly discharged from hospital. As a community health nurse working with children and young families, I do initial postpartum visits at home. Breastfeeding is a very complex skill, natural, yet sometimes difficult to do. The client is often overwhelmed with information received in hospital, so sessions must be kept short, and made easy to understand. The area in which I work is multicultural. There is often a language barrier which further complicates
Sharon initially found it difficult to teach nurses about the normalcy of breastfeeding and why infants do not need formula in the first few days of life. Sharon often struggles with convincing women that their body made colostrum during pregnancy and that it is enough to feed their baby. Changing old ways and convincing mothers that breastfeeding is the perfect food for their babies is sometimes challenging. However, Sharon continues to do what she does because she knows that breastfeeding is the best for babies and if she doesn’t do her job, who else will?
One of the biggest decisions for a new mom is whether or not she will breast feed her newborn. This decision will not only impact the mother but it will also have many great affects on the baby. In the media we only see advertisements about formula which costs more money and is artificial. Why is it that the most natural source of food for our baby’s does not have the same kind of attention, if not more? Nurses need to help spread the awareness of the major differences between formula and breastfeeding to help higher the rates of breastfeeding, The purpose of this paper is to discuss how nurses can help to promote healthy breastfeeding to postpartum moms through three main roles which are, providing research that confirms the benefits of breastfeeding,
Various researches exists in the health care premises to determine the best policies that will promote the utilization of resources within healthcare. However, some research work that utilizes social scientific methods fails to focus on exploring maternal ambiguity and ambivalence. Rather, the paradigm informing the majority research about infants feeding practices remains a public health perspective. From that perspective, many studies tend to explore why women do not initiate breastfeeding. Again, it suggests some options why women do not breastfeed for the recommended period. Thus, it is imperative to recommend the appropriate interventions to change maternal behaviour. The work remains the most accurately considered advocacy research as its purposes help the overall public in some ways. It gives additional weight to arguments for devoting more governmental resources to breastfeeding promotion. A small number of studies have utilized social sciences methods to generate valuable insights about the tension between policy and maternal practices and experience.
Breast-feeding vs. bottle feeding is a very important decision for new parents as well as a very hot topic of debate for most heath oriented communities. Most health, family and infant related communities and services such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, etc. support and promote breast-feeding infants. Their suggestion urges mothers to at least breastfeed for the first few days after giving birth even if they decide to bottle feed their infant(s), so that the infant(s) can get the health benefits from the mother 's milk and also so that the mother can alleviate some of the pressure in her breasts from the milk production. Cost wise breast-feeding is more cost efficient
The World Health Organisation (1986) defines health promotion as “a process of enabling people to have control over the determinants of their health in order to achieve physical, mental and social well-being”. Health promotion covers a broad spectrum of activities, all working towards achieving positive health and wellbeing of individuals, groups, and communities (Gates & Barr, 2009) . Health promotion encompasses
During pregnancy, mothers are often faced with the personal decision of whether they should breastfeed or formula-feed their newborn. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each feeding method. The purpose of this paper is not to shame a mother for the feeding method she chooses, but instead to provide understanding into the reasons why a mother may choose breastfeeding over formula-feeding. A commonly asked question is: “Is breast really best?” There is no right or wrong choice, just the best choice for mom and baby.
Throughout this paper, the author information will provide information on how different methods of teaching can help to influence the continuation of breastfeeding in pregnant and postpartum mothers. The paper will also critique three research articles. The articles will consist of either qualitative or quantitative research. The main goal or purpose of this paper is to show why mothers discontinue breastfeeding after discharge and how healthcare providers can more appropriately promote its continuation to these mothers.
Many studies were done to identify the effectiveness of the Baby-friendly Initiative practise around the world. One of the research shows that 87.3 % to 89% of mothers are breastfeeding and the Baby-friendly Initiative has reached the highest rate in Canada, BC
All mothers have a choice in how they decide to raise their family. In the hospital, the health care team is supposed to be there in support to protect and to educate their patient, help them in identifying their rights, and educating them with proper and abundant information. The dilemma I am exploring specifically relates to the postpartum floor at Kaiser Walnut Creek, which is the idea of breastfeeding versus formula feeding. According to Healthy People 2020 as cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2011, 81.9% of mothers breast-fed during the early postpartum period, 60.6% until 6 months, and 34.1% until 12 months. In addition to the increasing rate of breast-feeding, there are many benefits for the newborn, as well as the mother. The newborn will have passive immunity against infections, decreased rate of sudden infant death syndrome, reduced risk of allergies and asthma, and decreased incidence of diabetes mellitus and obesity later in the future. The mother will have easier postpartum weight loss and lessens bleeding, delayed fertility, and reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In addition, breast-feeding is convenient and cost effective (Ladewig,