Breastfeeding Mothers: A Case Study

Breastfeeding mothers face many challenges when trying to exclusively breastfeed such easy access to formula, physical complications such as pain and lack of professional and peer support. The short-term and long-term benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby are not as widespread as health care professionals believe and it is thought that an increase in this knowledge would boost breastfeeding rates. Lack of support is one of the main reasons many mothers either do not breastfeed or quit after a short time. Community groups such as LaLeche League International exist to promote breastfeeding in their communities and to help breastfeeding mothers through their journey. However, many rural communities do not have such resources thus creating a void for new mothers requiring breastfeeding assistance. In Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, a …show more content…
The energy estimated in one decilitre (one hundred millilitres) of human milk is between 65-70 kcal containing fat, protein and sugars that vary depending on the infant’s term status (preterm, term), the lactation stage, maternal diet, maternal weight and nursing frequency (Ballard & Morrow, 2013). Formula does not change its composition based on baby’s needs or mother’s diet. Vitamins A, B6, B12, and D are found in breastmilk as well as various bioactive components, which are substances that affect biological processes and have an impact on body function or condition (Ballard & Morrow, 2013). An example of a bioactive component is epidermal growth factor (EPD). EPD is critical to the maturation and healing of the gastrointestinal tract in infants as it stimulates the cells to divide, absorb water and glucose for energy and protein synthesis (Ballard & Morrow, 2013). Bioactive components are not replicated in commercially prepared