Maternal Breastfeeding Program

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the prevalence of breastfeeding through a critical literature review and the impact of a pro-breastfeeding education program delivered to expectant and new mothers. The paper also looks at how the information communicated through the education program can be enhanced through contact with peers, as peer mediation may potentially improve the subjects' acceptance of the information contained within the education program. The paper explains that breastfeeding is the traditional method of nourishing a child and is a physiological response to childbirth on the part of the new mother. The paper then points out that despite this naturally-occurring link between the new mother and her child, breast milk substitutes - commonly referred to as formula - were developed in the late 1950s and were increasingly marketed to new mothers through the 1980s as a superior means of nourishment. The paper shows that breastfeeding and the clinical trials related to the practice are of the utmost significance since the immediate and long-term well being of both mother and child depend on its success. The paper concludes that nurses play a major role in effective breastfeeding and need to be completely knowledgeable about appropriate and successful strategies.

Outline:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Literature Review
- Socio-Cultural Influences and Breastfeeding
- Health Outcomes Associated with Breastfeeding
- Challenges within the Literature
Theoretical Framework
Research Question/Hypotheses
- Hypothesis 1
- Hypothesis 2
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Research was ongoing during this time and the majority of credible information stressed that breastfeeding was sufficient in terms of the nutritional content required for infants. Additional benefits were also isolated: children who breastfed during infancy demonstrated enhanced immune systems and were less likely to succumb to childhood and adolescent illnesses (Cunningham, Jelliffe, & Jelliffe, 1991; Saarinen & Kajossaari, 1995); breastfeeding was linked to improved cognitive development in children; research even suggested that the emotional development and attachment abilities of the child were improved and that the child may demonstrate improved psychosocial stability as an adult (Lawrence & Lawrence, 2005) and that breastfeeding "yields health care savings by reducing illness events" (Ahluwalia et al, 2000; 85)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ahluwalia, I. B.; Tessaro, I.; Grummer-Strawn, L. M.; MacGowan, C.; & Benton-Davis, S. (2000). Georgia's breastfeeding promotion program for low-income women. Pediatrics. 105(6). 85 - 89.
• Anderson, J. & Johnstone, B. (1999). Breastfeeding and cognitive development. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70(4), 525-535.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). The CDC guide to breastfeeding interventions. Atlanta, Georgia: CDC.
• Cunningham, A. S.; Jelliffe, D. B.; & Jelliffe, E. F. (1991). Breast-feeding and health in the 1980s: a global epidemiological review. Journal of Pediatrics. 119(5). 843 - 844.
• Graffy, J. & Taylor, J. (2004). Randomized controlled trial of support from volunteer counselors for mothers considering breastfeeding. British Medical Journal. 328(7430), 1-7.

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