Discuss about the Policy Power And Politics On Health Care Provision.
Background of the breastfeeding policy
Breastfeeding policy is an issue of public health concern. It should be taken with a lot of seriousness because of the importance it brings with it to the health of communities and people within them (Meedya, Fahy&Kable, 2010). These benefits would include the baby, the mother, and for the environment.
Breast milk helps babies to supply all the necessary nutrients needed by the baby in the right proportions; breast milk protects babies against obesity, sickness, and allergies. Breast milk helps in defending the body from diseases such as diabetes and cancer, infections such as ear infections; it prevents from diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach due to the easiness of digestion(Le Huërou-Luron, Blat &Boudry, 2010). Breastfeeding also helps babies to grow with a healthy weight, as well as increasing IQs in children(Patki, Kadam, Chandra &Bhonde, 2010). Breastfed remains the perfect food for your baby because it changes in volume, and composition depending on the time of the day, the age of the baby and nursing frequency hence promoting healthy growth at each stage of the baby (Schmied, Gribble, Sheehan, Taylor & Dykes, 2011).
Breast milk has been proven to be the freshest, always at the right temperature, clean and always free, and has no waste hence good for the environment. Breast milk is always available wherever you are and whenever the baby requires it (Schmied, Gribble, Sheehan, Taylor, & Dykes, 2011).
Mothers who breastfeed their children in the right manner have the lowest risks of type 2 diabetes and some cancers like breast cancer (Kids, 2011). Mothers practicing the right breastfeeding have the highest benefit of getting to their normal weight before they got pregnant as well as being able to strengthen their relationship with their children (Meedya, Fahy&Kable, 2010).
Generally, breastfeeding has not only important to the baby’s health in disease prevention but also to the breastfeeding mother as it has anti-inflammatory and unparalleled immunological properties. According to a summary published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) 2007, Babies who are exclusively fed with breast milk within the first six months are more advantageous than formula-fed infants since a formula-fed infant has been associated with infections such as diarrhea and ear infections (Meedya, Fahy&Kable, 2010). The further report state that that ear infection risk is 100 percent among those who are formula-fed than those who are exclusively fed within their first 6 months.
This breastfeeding report is important because of economic benefit it has to the families, private and government insurers, employers, and the nation in general. This is by a study done in more than one decade ago that stated that families that practice good breastfeeding save over $1,200–$1,500 in the first year alone (Patki, Kadam, Chandra, & Bhonde, 2010).
Politics plays an important role in influencing breastfeeding policies and nursing practices (Howes et al., 2017). Politicians can make policies that affect nursing practice, nursing environment and nursing workforce. Their decisions affect nursing policies and change. Political issues are government based and they dictate how the breastfeeding is practiced within any country. Sometimes policy making depends on what the political class get from it.
The economic effects of breastfeeding influence the decision on policy making. If the breastfeeding reduces risks related to economic losses, the policy makers will be encouraged to make laws that encourage breastfeeding and vice versa (Howes et al., 2017). This means with the right information regarding economic losses or gain policy makers will be influenced to make changes or make new policies. For instance, if lack of breastfeeding is increasing the hospitalization, then the policy likely to be made will focus on restricting people from not breastfeeding.
Some social beliefs that consider colostrum milk as dirty or curdled milk, bad omen or curse may discourage breastfeeding in some cultures where there is fear of an evil eye during breastfeeding (Freeman, 2014). This is mostly feared when engaging in extra marital affairs. An evil eye is associated with breastfeeding in public and women are made to believe witchcraft may work against their babies (Freeman, 2014). The fear of sagging breast is also another cultural believe associated with breastfeeding for long discouraging young mothers who want to have “sharp” breasts.
Children just like mothers have a problem with breastfeeding which is mostly associated with prematurity or being small or anatomical issues affecting their feeding (Arroyo et al., 2010). Mothers on the other hand have expressed difficulties in breastfeeding which are associated with nipple and breast pain or inadequate milk supply. They complain of their infant having slow weight gain, runny stools, and fussiness with breastfeeding (Arroyo et al., 2010). The American public health association has recognition of a long time that, scientific evidence showing that human milk as the most appropriate food for all human infants without forgetting the barriers towards achieving this impropriety through breastfeeding (Baker & Greer, 2010). Breastfeeding has been a norm and maintaining it is the most preventive health care measure (Taylor, Lim, & Neville, 2010). There are various reasons that make breastfeeding rates to not to reach recommended levels by the major health authorities across the globe and united states, and they include social, political, economic, education, political and institutional reasons (Kervin, Kemp & Pulver, 2010). Since there are increasing evidence of risks associated with lack of breastfeeding like chronic diseases like in mothers and their babies, and also repeated advertisement on alternative milk for babies this policy proposes urgency of taking action for breastfeeding across the globe. Also as new findings post risks associated with breastfeeding like HIV and environmental contaminants through breast milk, NSW should update her breastfeeding policy lastly addressed in 2006(Kids, 2011).
Population surveys from NSW show that rates of breastfeeding remain far below the recommendations of WHO and NHMRC(Hector, Hebden, Innes-Hughes & King, 2013). Mothers and infants have increased risks of ill health, obesity, and other chronic diseases mostly due to duration and exclusivity as per the existing evidence(Han, Lawlor&Kimm, 2010). There is a high expectation of increased cost to individuals, government, and the society and health systems as a result of these health risks combined with the environmental impact of breastfeeding formula (Kervin, Kemp &Pulver, 2010).
This project has a goal of ensuring there is a framework of action that will help increase promotion, support of breastfeeding and protection of breastfeeding across NSW and Australian health system (Hector, Hebden, Innes-Hughes & King, 2013). The factors that influence the rate of breastfeeding across NSW and the globe as a whole are many (Kids, 2011).
The goals and objectives of this policy are to:
Resources
Mothers and children breastfeeding experience is a learning experience for both (King, Brucker, Fahey, Kriebs & Gegor, Eds.2015). Though breastfeeding is natural, there is a need for right support to make breastfeeding go smoothly. Some of these supports may include:
Support Groups: there are organizations that help with breastfeeding support, and they include Pregnancy and Parenting Network and Australia Breastfeeding Association(Wen, Baur, Rissel, Alperstein & Simpson, 2009).
Breastfeeding Education: there are courses that are supposed to help starters to get breastfeeding knowledge, and they are; Breastfeeding Education Course and Private Breastfeeding Course(Dyson et al., 2010).
Professional Help: there are lactation consultants who give insights to mothers on, the art of breastfeeding, help mothers to develop and increase mothering skills, and provide with recurrent mothering support system for the kind and mother (Meedya, Fahy&Kable, 2010). Australia and other international links have several associations for peak breastfeeding which may include and not limited to: Australian Breastfeeding Association, College of Lactation Consultants Victoria, Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, Baby Milk Action, Breastfeeding.com, International Lactation Consultant Association, Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand Ltd (LCANZ), and La Leche League International(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.2013).
The policy will be effective as from 2018 to 2022 with a mid-term review done in 2020 to assess its effectiveness and achievements. The Australian government should recognize that the World Health Organization recommends continuous breastfeeding for not less than six months without any other drinks or solid food (exclusive breastfeeding). This helps your baby to gain colostrum from your milk important for fighting illness (Han, Lawlor & Kimm, 2010). It also helps the baby to have a functional digestive system, which does its work smoothly as well as helping it have its first immunization. After the sixth month, the combination of breastfeeding with other solid foods and drinks can be administered for 2 years, but breastfeeding is optional for depending on the family (Han, Lawlor&Kimm, 2010).
Each problem will be identified and considered with regards to the following priorities assumptions whether to:
(i) Shift the focus from initial decision?making towards support for mothers throughout their feeding journeys, enabling and protecting decisions to breastfeed as one aspect of ongoing support
(ii) To promote the concept of an early?weeks investment and adjustment period during which breastfeeding is established; and
(iii) To develop more proactive mother-centered models of support for all forms of infant feeding.
Experts across the globe recommend breast milk as the best for the infant and the best gift given by mothers to their babies (Hector, Hebden, Innes-Hughes & King, 2013). American Academy for Pediatrics (AAP), World Health Organization, and American medical association (AMA) argue that breastfeeding helps the baby’s body develop a defense against infections, protect against chronic diseases, and prevent allergies (Al-Sahab, Lanes, Feldman & Tamim, 2010). The methods proposed as alternatives for breastfeeding are two Formula feeding and donor milk(Eidelman et al., 2012). Formula feeding has challenges in that; it cannot match the complexity of breast milk since breast milk can change as the baby grows which cannot be manufactured(Dyson et al., 2010). There is no formula yet that matches breast milk complexity(Dyson et al., 2010). Formula feeding also lacks antibodies contained in the breast milk(Grøvslien&Grønn, 2009). Using this alternative cannot provide the baby with the added protection against infection among other challenges (Eidelman et al., 2012). Donor milk is commonly practiced in the countries like the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil. Donor milk is where a woman gives her excess milk to mothers who are not able to breastfeed, and it is done after done goes through a screening and blood tests (Binns, Fraser, Lee & Scott, 2009). Greer a pediatrician who has researched on infants’ nutrition since the 1970s say, recommends Formula feeding as the best alternative for breast milk citing cost-effectiveness and accessibility (Bartick & Reinhold, 2010). While on the other hand Anne EglashUW–Madison family physician argues that Donor milk has more advantages like breast milk compared to Formula feeding. Greer states that neither the Donor Milk nor Formula Feeding has the ability of Breast Milk since “The immune system boost inherent to breastfeeding is tied to each mother and baby’s environment.” He also adds that donor milk varies compared to the nutritional value of the donor foods (Eidelman et al., 2012).
These are the groups advocating for alternative breastfeeding and they include; Pregnancy and Parenting Network and Australia Breastfeeding Association, environmentalists, politicians, human rights groups, physicians like Eglash, pediatricians like Greer, etc.
The government and other stakeholders have the responsibilities to pass laws that increase the availability of mothers’ milk to infant to raise an independent, health generation with the energy required to drive the country in the global fronts (Weber, Janson, Nolan, Wen &Rissel, 2011). These laws should focus on limiting the breastfeeding for not less than 6 months as recommended by major health professional organizations.
Mothers should be made aware of the health risks of failure to breastfeed their infant for the recommended time in order for them to breastfeed their children properly.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is an important public issue that raises hot debates among health experts and health organizations of the world in recent times as opposed to traditional times when it was just natural to breastfeed. Though there are debates concerning whether to breastfeed on not to, there is no clear alternative that matches the exact benefits and composition of breast milk. Breast milk offers several benefits that even the alternative proposers agree with including protecting children from chronic diseases, obesity, asthma, arthritis and fighting against other illness. Mothers should strive to ensure that they breastfeed their babies for the WHO recommended period to avoid incurring the cost of illness during hospitalization, insurance, and also get the maximum benefit associated with the psychological wellness of their body and that of their children. Resources for breastfeeding mothers are available across Australia and in other countries where mothers can seek guidance where they need them.
References
Al-Sahab, B., Lanes, A., Feldman, M., &Tamim, H. (2010). Prevalence and predictors of 6-month exclusive breastfeeding among Canadian women: a national survey. BMC Pediatrics, 10(1), 20.
Arroyo, R., Martín, V., Maldonado, A., Jiménez, E., Fernández, L., & Rodríguez, J. M. (2010). Treatment of infectious mastitis during lactation: antibiotics versus oral administration of Lactobacilli isolated from breast milk. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(12), 1551-1558.
Baker, R. D., & Greer, F. R. (2010).Diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in infants and young children (0–3 years of age).Pediatrics, 126(5), 1040-1050.
Bartick, M., & Reinhold, A. (2010). The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: a pediatric cost analysis. Pediatrics, 125(5), e1048-e1056.
Binns, C. W., Fraser, M. L., Lee, A. H., & Scott, J. (2009).Defining exclusive breastfeeding in Australia. Journal of pediatrics and child health, 45(4), 174-180.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.(2013). Progress in increasing breastfeeding and reducing racial/ethnic differences-United States, 2000-2008 births.MMWR.Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 62(5), 77.
Dyson, L., Renfrew, M. J., McFadden, A., McCormick, F., Herbert, G., & Thomas, J. (2010). Policy and public health recommendations to promote the initiation and duration of breastfeeding in developed country settings. Public health nutrition, 13(1), 137-144.
Eidelman, A. I., Schanler, R. J., Johnston, M., Landers, S., Noble, L., Szucs, K., &Viehmann, L. (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk.Pediatrics, 129(3), e827-e841.
Freeman, B. (2014). Benchmarking Australian and New Zealand university meta-policy in an increasingly regulated tertiary environment. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 36(1), 74-87.
Howes, M., Wortley, L., Potts, R., Dedekorkut-Howes, A., Serrao-Neumann, S., Davidson, J., … & Nunn, P. (2017). Environmental sustainability: A case of policy implementation failure?. Sustainability, 9(2), 165.
Grøvslien, A. H., &Grønn, M. (2009).Donor milk banking and breastfeeding in Norway.Journal of Human Lactation, 25(2), 206-210.
Han, J. C., Lawlor, D. A., &Kimm, S. Y. (2010). Childhood obesity.The Lancet, 375(9727), 1737-1748.
Hector, D., Hebden, L., Innes-Hughes, C., & King, L. (2013). Update of the evidence base to support the review of the NSW Health Breastfeeding Policy (PD2006_012): A rapid appraisal.
Kervin, B. E., Kemp, L., &Pulver, L. J. (2010).Types and timing of breastfeeding support and its impact on mothers’ behaviors.Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 46(3), 85-91.
Kids, N. S. W. (2011).Families. Breastfeeding in NSW: Promotion, Protection, and Support.
King, T. L., Brucker, M. C., Fahey, J., Kriebs, J. M., &Gegor, C. L. (Eds.).(2015). Varney’s midwifery (p. 3). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Le Huërou-Luron, I., Blat, S., &Boudry, G. (2010).Breast-v.formula-feeding: impacts on the digestive tract and immediate and long-term health effects. Nutrition research reviews, 23(1), 23-36.
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Patki, S., Kadam, S., Chandra, V., &Bhonde, R. (2010). Human breast milk is a rich source of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells. Human cell, 23(2), 35-40.
Schmied, V., Gribble, K., Sheehan, A., Taylor, C., & Dykes, F. C. (2011). Ten steps or climbing a mountain: a study of Australian health professionals’ perceptions of implementing the baby friendly health initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. BMC health services research, 11(1), 208.
Taylor, L. K., Lim, K., & Neville, S. E. (2010). Newborn feeding practices at the time of discharge from hospital in NSW in 2007: a descriptive study. New South Wales public health bulletin, 20(12), 177-181.
Weber, D., Janson, A., Nolan, M., Wen, L. M., &Rissel, C. (2011). Female employees’ perceptions of organizational support for breastfeeding at work: findings from an Australian health service workplace. International breastfeeding journal, 6(1), 19.
Wen, L. M., Baur, L. A., Rissel, C., Alperstein, G., & Simpson, J. M. (2009). Intention to breastfeed and awareness of health recommendations: findings from first-time mothers in southwest Sydney, Australia. International Breastfeeding Journal, 4(1), 9.
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