The first day of August kicks off World breastfeeding week. We are in the 21st century, does breastfeeding matter as much? Some countries are even shying away from using the term “breastfeeding”.
What is breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is the process of feeding an infant with milk directly from the mother's breast. The breast is a glandular tissue composed primarily of fatty tissue and mammary glands. In females, it plays a key role in lactation, producing and secreting milk to nourish infants. The breast also contains ducts, blood vessels, and connective tissue, and it is a significant feature in sexual development and reproduction.
So, it is okay to say breastfeeding.
Now that we have that out of the way, here are some key facts (Infant and young child feeding, 2023) that make breastfeeding important:
Undernutrition is estimated to be associated with 2.7 million child deaths annually or 45% of all child deaths.
Globally in 2022, 149 million children under 5 were estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million were estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 37 million were overweight or obese.
Few children receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods; in many countries less than a fourth of infants 6–23 months of age meet the criteria of dietary diversity and feeding frequency that are appropriate for their age.
Over 820 000 children's lives could be saved every year among children under 5 years, if all children 0–23 months were optimally breastfed.
Improving child development and reducing health costs through breastfeeding results in economic gains for individual families as well as at the national level.
So yes, we will talk about breastfeeding because it offers significant benefits in the developing world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa which has the highest child mortality rate in the world, with 71 deaths per 1,000 live births (Under-five mortality, 2024).
Outlined below are the primary benefits of breastfeeding:
Infant Health and Survival
1. Nutritional Superiority: Breast milk is uniquely tailored to meet an infant's nutritional needs, containing the perfect balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals essential for growth and development. It is more easily digested than formula and provides all the necessary nutrients for the first six months of life.
2. Immunological Protection: Breast milk contains antibodies, immune cells, and other bioactive components that protect infants from infections. In Africa, where infectious diseases such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, and malaria are prevalent, breastfeeding significantly reduces the incidence and severity of these illnesses.
3. Reduced Infant Mortality: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months has been shown to reduce the risk of infant mortality by up to 45% in low- and middle-income countries. This is particularly critical in Africa, where infant mortality rates are higher compared to other regions.
Maternal Health
4. Health Benefits for Mothers: Breastfeeding helps mothers by reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage through the release of oxytocin, which helps the uterus contract. Long-term benefits for mothers include a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression.
Economic and Social Benefits
5. Cost Savings: Breastfeeding is cost-effective. It eliminates the need for formula, which can be a financial burden for families. This is especially important in Africa, where many families live in poverty. Breastfeeding also reduces healthcare costs by decreasing the incidence of illness and the need for medical treatment.
6. Enhanced Cognitive Development: Breastfed children tend to have better cognitive outcomes, including higher IQ scores and improved school performance. This is linked to the unique composition of breast milk, which supports brain development.
Environmental Impact
7. Sustainable Feeding Practice: Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly. It requires no packaging, shipping, or disposal, unlike formula, which involves manufacturing, transportation, and waste generation. This aspect is particularly important in regions where environmental sustainability is a concern.
Addressing HIV/AIDS
8. Safe Feeding for HIV-Positive Mothers: With appropriate antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-positive mothers can safely breastfeed, which significantly reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This is crucial in Africa, where the prevalence of HIV is higher, and breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits to infants.
Cultural and Psychological Benefits
9. Bonding and Emotional Well-being: Breastfeeding promotes a strong bond between mother and child, which is beneficial for the emotional and psychological well-being of both. This bonding is essential for the child's emotional development and can lead to better social behaviors and relationships in the future.
10. Cultural Acceptance and Practices: In many African cultures, breastfeeding is a traditional practice that is widely accepted and encouraged. This cultural support can make it easier for mothers to breastfeed and receive the necessary support from their communities.
In summary, breastfeeding offers extensive benefits in Africa, from improving infant health and survival to supporting maternal well-being and economic savings. It is a crucial practice that addresses the region's specific health challenges and supports the overall goal of public health improvement. Efforts to promote and support breastfeeding can lead to significant health, economic, and social benefits across African communities.
References
Infant and young child feeding. (2023, December 20). Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
Under-five mortality. (2024, March). Retrieved from UNICEF: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-survival/under-five-mortality/#:~:text=Children%20continue%20to%20face%20widespread,in%2014%20rate%20by%202001
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