Breastfeeding

Child Development and Public Health



I chose breast feeding, because my daughter is having her baby in May and is thinking about breastfeeding her baby. Researches believe that breast feeding is the healthiest form of feeding babies. If mothers eat proper meals and exercise daily, the nutrition in the mother’s milk will not only cause the child to have less medical problems, but the child will be healthier. The health benefit is not only for the baby, but it provides heath benefits for the mother as well.

Breastfeeding in Brazil

            According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the Brazilian data base found that breastfeeding is discouraged because of cultural beliefs. They believe that women will transfer unwanted health problems to their baby. They believe first time mothers are biologically incapable of breastfeeding. In the Brazilian population women were concern about their baby crying as well as resolution of the breast engorgement, which is the concern of the mother. It is up the care giver provider in Brazilian to encourage mothers to breast feed their children because of health benefit for both the child and mother. Although it is cultural believe researchers are searching for alternatives to support mothers to breast feed their babies.