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Project Building Blocks

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Yesufu Momodu Abdulrazzaq
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12 views

Project Building Blocks

Uploaded by

Yesufu Momodu Abdulrazzaq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Building Blocks

The World Health Assembly (WHA) has set a global target in order to increase the rate of

exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for infants aged 0–6 months up to at least 50% in 2012–2025

(WHO &WHA, 2014). Adherence to these guidelines varies globally, only 38% of infants are

exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life (Hawley et al., 2015). High-income countries

such as the United States (19%), United Kingdom (1%), and Australia (15%), have shorter

breastfeeding duration than do low-income and middle-income countries (Skouteris et al., 2014).

However, even in low-income and middle-income countries, only 37% of infants younger than

six months are exclusively breastfed (Victora et al., 2016). According to recent papers in the sub-

Saharan Africa region, only 53.5% of infants in east African countries were EBF for six months,

which is way below the WHO target of 90% (Jahanpour et al., 2018).

References
Hawley, N. L., Rosen, R. K., Strait, A. E., Raffucci, G., Holmdahl, I & Freeman, J. R. (2015).
Mothers' attitudes and beliefs about infant feeding highlight barriers to exclusive
breastfeeding in American Samoa. Women Birth.;28:e80–6.
Jahanpour, O., Msuya, S.E., Todd, J., Stray-Pedersen, B. & Mgongo, M.. (2018). Increasing
trend of exclusive breastfeeding over 12 years period (2002-2014) among women in
Moshi. Tanzania BMC Pregnancy Childbirth;18:471.
Skouteris, H., Nagle, C., Fowler, M., Kent, B., Sahota, P. & Morris, H. (2014). Interventions
designed to promote exclusive breastfeeding in high-income countries: a systematic
review. Breastfeed Med.;9(3):113–27.
Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A.J.D., França, G.V.A., Horton, S & Krasevec, J. (2016).
Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect.
Lancet.;387:475–90.
WHO & WHA. (2014). Global Nutrition Targets 2025: Breastfeeding Policy Brief 2014.
http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/globaltargets_breastfeeding_policybrief. pdf.

Introduction
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However,
contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are
exclusively breastfed. This shows that poor breastfeeding practice is a global phenomenon.
While analysis indicates that increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding could save the lives of
820 000 children every year, WHO estimates that currently, only around 44 per cent of infants
globally are exclusively breastfed for the recommended first six months. Meanwhile, Nigeria has
a low performance on exclusive breastfeeding as the 2018 National Nutrition Health Survey
shows that only 27 per cent of infants in the country are exclusively breastfed for the
recommended first six months (WHO, 2020).

This paper discusses the following:


Concept of breastmilk
Concept of exclusive breastfeeding
Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Benefits of breastfeeding for the baby

Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding


Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your baby. It helps build your baby’s immune
system and offers the perfect nutrition. Some of the health benefits to you include a lower risk of
breast and ovarian cancer.
These advantages include a lower risk of gastrointestinal infection for the baby, more rapid
maternal weight loss after birth, and delayed return of menstrual periods. No reduced risks of
other infections or of allergic diseases have been demonstrated. No adverse effects on growth
have been documented with exclusive breastfeeding for six months. But a reduced level of iron
has been observed in some developing country settings.
Most children who are exclusively breastfed are protected from getting infected with common
childhood illnesses, Nurse Sharia, said, for one example, and parents can save more by spending
less money on medicines. And when a mother breastfeeds, it promotes bonding between her and
her baby, reduces risk of developing some illnesses such as breast cancer as well as give rooms
for birth spacing,” Nurse Sharia added.

Benefits of breastfeeding for the baby


Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins,
protein, and fat -- everything your baby needs to grow. And it's all provided in a form that's more
easily digested than infant formula. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off
viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Plus,
babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear
infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalizations and
trips to the doctor.

Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies. Breastfed
infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow, rather than becoming
overweight in childhood. The AAP says breastfeeding also plays a role in the prevention of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding has been thought to lower the risk of
diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers as well, but more research is needed.

Breastfeeding benefits for mothers

The physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you
and feel secure.

Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It releases the
hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce
uterine bleeding after birth. There are continued benefits from breastfeeding beyond 1 year, and
up to 2 years, especially in the parent. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian
cancer. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too.

As you don't have to buy and measure formula, sterilize nipples, or warm bottles, it saves you
time and money. It also gives you regular time to relax quietly with your newborn as you bond.
Tylor, R. B. & Cameron, K. (2023). Breastfeeding. Retrieved on 12th May, 2024 from:
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics#
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the feeding of an infant with breast milk only, to the exclusion
of all other feeds - liquids or solids, including water - except prescribed medications, during the
first 6 months of life [1]. It is a key strategy to ensure and maintain both physical and
psychological benefits for mothers, infants, and young children [2]. World Health Organization
(WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommend that EBF should be started
immediately after delivery within the first hour of neonatal life, and on demand (that is as often
as the child wants, day and night) without use of any artificialities, until the end of the first half
year of life [1]. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued
breastfeeding till the second years of life or beyond [1]. EBF reduces infant mortality due to
common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia, and promotes sensory and cognitive
development [1].

Colostrum
Morphology of human female breast

A mammary gland is an exocrine gland in humans and other mammals that produces milk to
feed young offspring.

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