Breastfeeding after Gestational Diabetes: Does Perceived Benefits Mediate the Relationship?

Introduction. Breastfeeding is recognized as one of the best ways to decrease infant mortality and morbidity. However, women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may have breastfeeding barriers due to the increased risk of neonatal and pregnancy complications. While the prevalence of GDM is increasing worldwide, it is important to understand the full implications of GDM on breastfeeding outcomes.The current study aims to investigate the (1) direct effect of GDM on breastfeeding duration and (2) indirect effect of GDM on breastfeeding duration through perceived benefits of breastfeeding. Methods. Prospective cohort data from the Infant Feeding and Practices Study II was analyzed (=4,902). Structural equation modeling estimated direct and indirect effects. Results. Perceived benefits of breastfeeding directly influenced breastfeeding duration ( = 0.392, ≤ 0.001). GDM was not directly associated with breastfeeding duration or perceived benefits of breastfeeding. Similarly, GDM did not have an indirect effect on breastfeeding duration through perceived benefits of breastfeeding. Conclusions. Perceived benefits of breastfeeding are an important factor associated with breastfeeding duration. Maternal and child health care professionals should enhance breastfeeding education efforts

Benefits of Breastfeeding

When a child is born, a mother can choose to breastfeed her infant or to use an alternative source of nutrition such as formula. To choose properly, the mother must be informed about the pros and cons of each method of feeding. This paper will elaborate on the process of breastfeeding and present some of the benefits that are conferred to both infant and mother through the act of breastfeeding, benefits that formula does not provide. Breastfeeding positively affects infants in both the short- and long-term by providing protection from infectious diseases, fostering the psychological bond with their mothers, and increasing cognitive development later in life. In addition, mothers benefit from choosing to breastfeed their infants by having a quicker delivery of the placenta, retaining less weight postpartum, and having a decreased risk of breast cancer. In conclusion, this paper will show that while formula does contain essential nutrients for infants, it does not provide the protective and curative benefits that breast milk does

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding research is plentiful, and the majority of the literature shows that breast milk is the superior form of infant nutrition except in the rare circumstances of infant metabolic disorders, maternal drug use, or positive HIV status. In comparison to formula, breast milk provides improved cognition, development, behavior, bonding, nutrition, digestion, immunity, and long-term health with fewer diseases and conditions in infants. Mothers are benefited by breastfeeding through bonding, faster weight loss, and reduction in certain cancers and conditions. Breast milk contains the proper amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and is also specialized for each infant and developmental stage. While formula is a viable alternative to breast milk, the same benefits cannot be achieved

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition. In the past, infant formula was promoted as equal or superior to breast milk. However, research has shown that breastfeeding is the superior form of infant nutrition except in rare circumstances. Breast milk provides for all of a newborn’s caloric needs and has the correct balance of nutrients to promote proper development. In addition, breast milk provides protection against illnesses, supports an infant’s immune system, and promotes life-long health for the newborn. Mothers also experience personal benefits by breastfeeding such as decreased cancer risks, bonding with their babies, and faster postpartum weight loss. There are multiple reasons why a mother does not breastfeed or is unsuccessful in continuing breastfeeding, but receiving support and education can help a new mother be successful. The Baby Friendly Initiative has improved breastfeeding rates but further work still needs to be done to increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation in order to promote and increase both infant and maternal health

THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING: A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

A minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if breastfeeding were increased from current levels (64 percent in-hospital, 29 percent at 6 months) to those recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General (75 and 50 percent). This figure is likely an underestimation of the total savings because it represents cost savings from the treatment of only three childhood illnesses: otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. This report reviews breastfeeding trends and previous studies that assessed the economic benefits of breastfeeding.Breastfeeding, economic benefits, otitis media, gastroenteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Determining Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding in the United States

The benefits of breastfeeding have been thoroughly studied and researched, with the majority of healthcare providers, health organizations and policies, and professionals in health all recommending the practice. Breastfeeding has protective factors for the newborn against infection and mortality. Other benefits for breastfed children include reduced risk of obesity, asthma, and ear infections; enhanced chance of having a higher income; and a stronger immune system that can follow them throughout adulthood (World Health Organization [WHO] 2020). For mothers who breastfeed, there is a reduced risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2020) Breastfeeding is also proven to help with bonding with their baby. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the United States (US) still has the lowest rates of breastfeeding and large disparities for a developed country. The goal of this literature review with comparison study is to determine the disparities of breastfeeding between different maternal races, examine the benefits of breastfeeding for minority women, and provide recommended interventions to aid further implementation of breastfeeding across all races. This paper addresses the most concerning disparities and proposes several interventions to reconcile the disparities

Awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding among mothers and its influence on the breastfeeding practices in Jos

Background: Breastfeeding is an effective intervention to reduce child morbidity and mortality. The third of ten steps to successful breastfeeding is to inform all pregnant mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding. This awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding bybreastfeeding/Nursing mothers may serve as a motivation for good breastfeeding practices. The aim of this study therefore was to determine awareness of breastfeeding benefits among nursing mothers in Jos and its relationship with selected breastfeeding practicesMethods: The cross-sectional study was carried out among 482 breastfeeding mothers in 6 immunization clinics in Jos. Information on sociodemographics, breastfeeding practices and Mothers' level of awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding. The awareness level was then graded good, fair and no awareness. Bivariate analysis was done using SPSS 21Results: Of the 482 nursing mothers interviewed, 77.6% were assessed to have good knowledge, 8% had fair, while 14.5% had no knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding. Significantly more women of younger ages, lower socioeconomic status, lower education and unskilled had No awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding.Good breastfeeding practices and intention to breastfeed for more than a year were associated with good level of awareness.Keywords: Awareness, Benefits, Breastfeeding, Mothers, Influence, Practice

Economic and Health Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Review

The aim of this paper is to review the health, economic and other benefits of breastfeeding to the children, mother, community and country. The review was undertaken by using different tools as sources of information for gathering ideas on issues of economic, health and social benefits of breastfeeding. Report indicated that Sub-optimum breastfeeding, especially non-exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, results in 1.4 million deaths and 10% of disease burden in children younger than 5 years. Breastfeeding for a period of two years is more cost-effective than the alternative of having to purchase artificial or animal milk, which contributes to about 15%-20% of the health budget in some countries. Breastfeeding lead to a 13% reduction in deaths of children under five if infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and continued to be breastfed up to two years. Optimal breastfeeding of children under two years of age has the potential to prevent 1.4 million deaths in children under five in the developing world annually. As economic impact of breastfeeding for three illnesses otitis media, gastroenteritis, and NEC found that increasing the proportion of children who were breastfed and would have saved an estimated $3.6 billion annually interms of both direct and indirect costs. Keywords: breastfeeding, breast milk, economic, social, benefit