The Effect of Postpartum Education and Support on Efficacy and Length of Breastfeeding:

Chelsey White, Dominican University of California

Abstract/Description

Breastfeeding until one year of life has been found to significantly reduce the morbidity of infants as well as the incidences of preventable disease in later life such as obesity and diabetes type 2. It has been found that the number of American women breastfeeding after birth until past 6 months and into the first year of life decreases significantly after the first few months of life, possibly due to frustration and lack of support. Many infants in America are not being breastfed but are rather given formula or food inappropriately at 6 months or earlier. With a lack of antibodies, minerals, fats, proteins, hormones, sugars and water, these children are not receiving adequate nutrition to grow into healthy adults. Formula is mixed with water making it potentially dangerous if made too hot, with too much water, or unclean water. American cities like Flint Michigan currently have unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water which can greatly affect the neurological development of infants given formula mixed with this water. According to UNICEF, the 1,000 day window from conception to 2 years old is critically important in terms of providing nutrition so that a child may grow into healthy adults. Many women are missing out on postpartum education and support possibly due to income, bias, inability to access healthcare and a lack of support of some work places. Further research will be presented at conference.

 
Apr 20th, 7:00 PM Apr 20th, 7:15 PM

The Effect of Postpartum Education and Support on Efficacy and Length of Breastfeeding:

Guzman 113, Dominican University of California

Breastfeeding until one year of life has been found to significantly reduce the morbidity of infants as well as the incidences of preventable disease in later life such as obesity and diabetes type 2. It has been found that the number of American women breastfeeding after birth until past 6 months and into the first year of life decreases significantly after the first few months of life, possibly due to frustration and lack of support. Many infants in America are not being breastfed but are rather given formula or food inappropriately at 6 months or earlier. With a lack of antibodies, minerals, fats, proteins, hormones, sugars and water, these children are not receiving adequate nutrition to grow into healthy adults. Formula is mixed with water making it potentially dangerous if made too hot, with too much water, or unclean water. American cities like Flint Michigan currently have unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water which can greatly affect the neurological development of infants given formula mixed with this water. According to UNICEF, the 1,000 day window from conception to 2 years old is critically important in terms of providing nutrition so that a child may grow into healthy adults. Many women are missing out on postpartum education and support possibly due to income, bias, inability to access healthcare and a lack of support of some work places. Further research will be presented at conference.