A52

Glory, Bea Danica U.

Ching, Ira

Second Draft

I. Introduction

Move 1

From the moment of conception to the moment of death, a person experiences no other

longest period of physical connection with any person other than one’s own mother. According

to www.en.worldstat.info, the people of the Philippines have a life expectancy of 71.7 years

(2011 est.) at birth. Taking this into account, a Filipino would be spending 0.01% of their life

inside their mother’s womb physically connected. Such a small percentage may seem

insignificant. However, if one would think that they were connected to another person for almost

a year, without even a minute or even the tiniest second of being apart, it wouldn’t be so

insignificant. For nine months, everything the infant needed is given automatically through the

umbilical cord. Ergo, the infant’s life support in the womb is that connection of the umbilical

cord. However, after the delivery of the child, this life support in the womb is cut and the child

has now the ability to live without it and in turn different needs. Perhaps, the most important

action to be able to provide the child’s new requirements both physically and psychologically

would be breastfeeding.

Previous researches on the matter of breastfeeding have shown much concern for the

physical effects that breastfeeding may have on the child, not so much realizing that such an

action as breastfeeding would also have an effect on the psychological development of the child.

Certainly, a new baby needs warmth, security, love and protection (Greenspan, 1983).

This includes protection in terms of overall physical, medical and nutritional care as well as

protection from negative emotional experiences. Second, an infant requites emotional constancy.

Third, the infant requires the opportunity for what may be called “phase-specific experiences” as

he or she grows and develops. Each part of infancy involves new developmental task that

requires support from parents and other key caregivers. The third requirement is to be

experienced by the child as he or she goes through life. However, all three have one thing in

common that is breastfeeding can affect all of them.

Move 2

Such an important act as breastfeeding tends to be ignored by those who do not

know of its benefits, not only for the child but for the mother as well. Mothers replace a much

greater asset with a more inferior product, though also man-made, is quite different from the

natural product produced really within a woman’s body. In the study of Davim, Enders and Da

Silva (2006), 33 women were interviewed in the 16-21 age group.

“When questioned about whether they had received any

information from the health professionals regarding breastfeeding

immediately after delivery, the majority (66.7%) of the mothers

responded negatively. Those that responded in the affirmative

(33.3%) reported that the information received instructed them to

feed their babies exclusively with breast milk up to the age of 6

months; that breast milk is rich and precious and that it prevents

disease, both in the mother and the baby. In addition, they reported

that they were taught feeding techniques as well as what items to

avoid giving the baby, such as tea, water, and pacifiers, among

others, during the six months of exclusive breastfeeding.”

As can be deduced from the previous statements, breastfeeding has a tendency to be ignored by a

majority of people. However, those that do know of the mechanisms of breastfeeding hold it of

high regard. All cannot be blamed on the notion of not knowing of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Others partake in ignorance as such not paying mind to said benefits and still turning to formula

milk to replace the natural breast milk.

Though formula milk may be able to replace the physical benefits that breast milk

provides, it cannot cover the psychological aspect that comes along with breastfeeding.

Move 3

As previously stated, the psychological aspect contributed by breastfeeding is often

ignored. Therefore, this paper aims to show that breastfeeding increases maternal care, reduces

chances of illnesses, and decreases oral fixation thereby contributing to the child’s emotional

stability. Unlike the past studies wherein only the physical aspects of breastfeeding was shown,

this will focus on how these physical aspects affect the psychological development of the child.

Displaying a connection between increase of maternal care, decrease of chances of illnesses and

oral fixation to aiding emotional stability, pointing out that from infancy there is the possibility

of greatly affecting future situations. As emotional stability will play a vital role in deciding

one’s actions, one cannot hope to be ever childish and just sit and whine and complain forever.

In lieu with this, it is important to see the benefits that will be gained personally by the mothers

that will be nurturing a child. So as to show that though disadvantageous at the time,

breastfeeding can be turned to an advantageous weapon that has effects that will last over the

passing of time of both mother and child.

II. Body

Breastfeeding, Breast milk, and Formula Milk

Breast milk is not only the baby's food, but it's also the baby's jump-start on immunity,

autonomy, emotional development, intelligence, and future outcomes(Narvaez, 2011). Breast

milk comes from the secretion of the mammary glands in the female body. Breastfeeding, used

interchangeable with nursing, is often only seen as a way to feed one’s child. It can only be done

by lactating mothers, otherwise, the mammary glands will not be able to produce milk.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement on Breastfeeding,

women who don’t have health problems should exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least

the first six months of life.  The AAP suggests that women try to breastfeed for the first 12

months of life because of the benefits to both the mother and baby. Normally when a woman is

pregnant, her milk ducts become enlarged and filled with colostrums, the clear fluid that

precedes milk (Mosher, 1983). These events are triggered by the hormone prolactin which is

secreted by the pituitary gland. After the baby is born, its sucking stimulates the nerves leading

to the pituitary gland which continues to secrete prolactin leading to the manufacture of milk.

Ergo, the sucking of the baby serves as the stimulus for the continuous milk production.

In a study of Pickering, Granoff, Erickson, et.al. (1998) comprised of 311 who completed

the study, its aim was to find out whether breast milk added to formula milk would enhance the

development of the immune system. The participants were divided into three groups each given a

different specification of milk to feed to their child. The results are as follows:

“Infants who breastfed had significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers to polio virus

than either formula-fed group (1:346 vs 1:169 and 1:192 in the Control and Nucleotide groups,

respectively) at 6 months of age.”

It shows that breast milk had a much significant outcome than the other two formulae milk given

to the children. Infant-formula-feeding is inferior to breastfeeding because human milk provides

specific and non-specific factors that have long-term consequences for early metabolism and

the development of disease (Oddy, 2002). Human milk enhances the immature immunologic

system of the neonate and strengthens host defense mechanisms against infective and other

foreign agents. Some things that can explain the enhancement of the immune system by the

breast milk are those that are not found in the formula milk - hormones, growth factors

and colony stimulating factors, as well as specific nutrients.

The act of breastfeeding, itself, is not to be disregarded. It’s as equally important the

breast milk itself, not only on the context that the breast milk would not be produced without the

act of breastfeeding, but breastfeeding serves also as a connector between the mother and the

child which will prove to be something of relevance.

Breastfeeding and the Mother

The world’s oldest and still most widely practiced form of birth regulation is breast-

feeding(Parent’s Digest, 1984). Though this is doubted by the normal people of Western culture,

it is still deemed true by nutritional professionals who know of breastfeeding’s effect on both

health and birth intervals in past cultures around the globe. The spacing of babies is a simply a

side-effect of natural mothering which entails mother-child inseparability. Breastfeeding itself is

also a side-effect of natural mothering. As such, this should be like saying that breastfeeding

should be done as a natural course of action to after delivery care for the child.

Problem arises when the mother, is in fact a working one. After the birth, they cannot

stay cooped up in the house and just take care of the child. Opinions of professionals in the field

of child development differ on when is the best time for a working mother to go back to work

after delivery. One suggested that a woman should return to her job within the first two months

after her baby is born so that the infant does not become fully involved with her and can instead

become attached to the substitute caregiver (Greenspan, 1983). Others say that in no time will

separation be for the baby’s best interest. In such cases, one should consider that how the mother

feels about herself, her baby and her family is crucially important to the emotional milieu in

which that baby grows up and therefore, is relevant to the baby’s development.

“Breast milk is the best for babies up to two years and beyond.” This statement can be

seen throughout commercials of some (if not most) milk and diaper companies such as Nido,

Drypers, etc. However, this statement failed to mention that mothers also benefit from

breastfeeding. Breastfeeding moms get a lot out of feeding their child. One such example would

be the confidence moms get during an infant’s early days. A new mom might still have feelings

of uncertainties like how to hold a new-born baby or how to change a baby’s diaper. These

feelings of uncertainties make a new mom insecure about themselves. This is why breastfeeding

is important for new moms. Breastfeeding gives the mom a feeling of being the only one capable

of feeding their child. As such, it makes them more confident and more capable of taking care of

the infant in the long run. Aside from the confidence mothers get from breastfeeding their kids,

breastfeeding can also be viewed as a great investment for working moms. Breastfeeding is a

healthy investment. Breastfed babies are less likely to get sick so this will mean fewer illnesses

for the baby and more income for the family. Breastfeeding is also free. Breastfeeding moms

don’t have to spend money to buy formula milk, bottles, and waste time preparing the milk. In

the U.S. in 2005, many mothers have started to breastfeed their children however only 42%

remain to continue after six months. Considering the improved health outcomes for the infants

alone, the U.S. could save about $13 billion each year on medical costs if 90 percent of women

nursed their infants exclusively for the first six months, according to an analysis by led

by Melissa Bartick (2010). And that sum says nothing of the money that might be saved on

health costs for mothers if they breastfed, which Bartick estimates would be "significant." Breast

milk has everything a mom needs. Through breastfeeding, moms are able to save money, time,

and are able to bond with their babies.

Breastfeeding and the Child

Breastfeeding provides UNSURPASSED[emphasis added] natural nutrition to the

newborn and infant (Jackson & Nazar, 2006). Human breast milk also contains numerous

protective factors against infectious disease and may influence immune system development, as

noted in previous studies of infant response to vaccination and thymus gland development.

Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune

system (Koutras, 1989). Countless previous studies have shown the different chemical workings

of breast milk and its effects on the development of the immune system of the child. There is

evidence of ongoing protection against illness due to protective influences on the immune system

mediated via human milk (Oddy, 2002). If the immune system development is significantly

improved with the introduction of components of breast milk, then prematurely discontinued

breastfeeding may facilitate pathogenesis of many chronic diseases later in life (Jackson &

Nazar).

Now, delving into the psychological side of the matter, according to Freud’s stages of

psychosexual development, the first stage is the oral stage. The oral stage starts from the moment

of birth to around a year after life. The erogenous zone in this stage is an infant’s mouth. During

the oral stage, the infant’s main source of interaction occurs through the mouth. The rooting and

sucking reflex is important because it is an essential part of the child’s development to

breastfeeding. During this stage, an infant’s favourite toy would be a pacifier or a biter. The

examples stated have common qualities, they are both for the use of the mouth. This is the first

stage in Freud’s psychosexual stages because it focuses on the mouth, which the infant needs to

survive. The use of the mouth during the oral stage is emphasized because it is a must that the

infant learn breastfeeding. Through breastfeeding, the infant is provided with the essential

nutrients needed to maintain good and proper health. This gives the infant a sense of safety

because the infant is entirely dependent on the caretaker who is responsible for feeding the child.

This is why oral fixation plays a big role in an infant’s emotional stability because it develops the

child’s sense of trust and comfort through this oral stimulation.

Emotional Stability

Overall physical health has an effect on a person’s outlook in life. There is a physical

connection between what the mind is thinking and those parts of the brain that control bodily

functions. According to Charles Goodstein, MD, clinical professor of psychiatry, New York

University School of Medicine in New York City, and president of the Psychoanalytic

Association of New York, the brain is intimately connected to our endocrine system, which

secretes hormones or chemicals that can have a powerful influence on your emotional health.

“Thoughts and feelings as they are generated within the mind [can influence] the outpouring of

hormones from the endocrine system, which in effect control much of what goes on within the

body,” says Dr. Goodstein. Having a healthy body come the greater chances of having a healthy

mind. Since stress from worrisome illnesses do not worry the mind, it comes to it that being

protected from illnesses can prevent psychological distress.

Oral fixation can cause irritation of wanting to have something sensitize the oral area.

This nagging feeling can be a hindrance in day to day life as it will cause the person to be highly

irritable. Annoyance of wanting something but not knowing what it is you want. This can cause

the person to dwell in aggressive actions and further disrupt emotional stability. However, with a

well breastfed child, the chances of such occurring are lower for the oral needs of the child are

fulfilled in the stages where it matters most.

Emotional stability comes from having a balance internally due to balancing external

factors entering ones territory, so how one handles oneself in different situations is quite

important. This is based on how one was taught as a child, as such, maternal care is a crucial

component in the matter. Guidance through childhood is key to having a more emotionally stable

future, for how can one communicate with others if not taught how to. Children who do not have

such maternal care are more likely to end up with psychological problems such as depression,

aggression and anxiety. Breastfeeding has been said to fulfill an infant’s emotional needs. All

babies need to be held. Studies have shown that premature babies are more likely to die if they

are not held or stroked. There is no more comforting feeling for an infant of any age than being

held close and cuddled while breastfeeding. While many bottle-feeding parents are aware of the

importance of cradling their babies while offering the bottle, some are not. Even for parents with

good intentions, there is always the temptation to prop up a bottle next to the child, or, when the

baby is a little older, to let the child hold his/her own bottle and sit alone. This is emotionally

unsatisfying to baby, and can be dangerous physically. An unsupervised child can choke. Also,

propping up bottles over night leads to tooth decay.

III. Conclusion

Move 1

It is a pity that something as natural as breastfeeding be ignored and be substituted for

something more inferior, formula milk. Thinking of the longetivity of the time spent within the

womb, the mother would prefer to give a much better, if not the best, supplement to her child.

However, some mothers are not to blame for their indifference towards breastfeeding. As they

see it much more than a liability, a hassle, rather than viewing it for what it is, an asset. Though

many people only hold of regard the physical assets of breastfeeding, the psychological side

must be considered as well. Seeing as the mind and body are connected, it is for the better that

both can be developed. The viewpoint of mothers who do not practice breastfeeding is quite

understandable. However, if they were to be aware of the difference of something natural as

compared to something man-made to replace it, it would make quite a difference. However, the

aim of this paper is not to inform mothers of what they should do for their child, but to make

people know that something so far in the past as breastfeeding holds ground to what one can

become in the future. Divulging not only the quite cliché-ly researched physical benefits of

breastfeeding but also opening up the horizon to realize its potential in helping develop a child

psychologically as well.

Move 2

As one can see the clear connections of how physical effects of breastfeeding also serve

an underlying psychological effect, there opens up the intrigue of just how much can such a past

event of breastfeeding be of further psychological influence. Breastfeeding has not only been

shown as of benefit to the child but for the mother as well. Due to it being a natural process,

there is actually a need for breastfeeding in the least, and of course where else should it go but to

the one who needs it, the child.

Move 3

The given emphasis on the physical aspect of breastfeeding is not for not. The benefits it

gives to the immune system of the child is quite astounding, as much as, being able to out-boost

formulated milk in terms of producing anti-bodies. Data support the hypothesis that delayed or

impaired maturation of the immune system early in life can result in immune dysfunction later in

life, leading to, e.g., allergy or atopy (Rabet, Vos, Boehm & Garssen, 2008). With that said, the

importance of proper nutrition in infancy has been given a greater emphasis.

As can be seen from previous paragraphs, breastfeeding holds a lot of benefits not only to

the child but as well as to the mother. Sad to say, that many women are ignorant of the benefits

that this naturally occurring process can give. It prevents breast cancer for the mothers, gives her

child the nutrition he/she needs for free, and gives them a closer connection to their child. This

could be because of the fact that education does not give this much emphasis or because nurses

or doctors do not tell the mother of how important breastfeeding is to the child and to a lesser

extent, to themselves.

Ignorance of the importance of breastfeeding is being addressed differently by different

places. In the Republic of Belarus, an experimental intervention was made to increase the

duration in which breastfeeding was given thus gave them the results of decreased risk of

gastrointestinal tract infection and atopic eczema in the first year of life. These result provide a

solid scientific underpinning for the future interventions to promote breastfeeding (Kramer,

Chalmers, Hodnett, et.al., 2001). Lest people forget that given a more healthy chance in life also

gives a better chance of being an emotionally stable person.

Emotional stability is not an instantaneous event. It is a process that starts since the day

one is born. Along this path is the great marking that when breastfed, it will lead to a better

chance at emotional stability in the future therefore being able to handle oneself both internally

and externally.

Move 4

Recommendations for future researches are as follows:

To further delve into the benefits of breastfeeding to the emotional stability of the child

by looking into more factors that can be affected by it

Adding more research surveys that show the actions done to promote prolonged

breastfeeding

Move 5

Known for its great benefits to the health of the child, and know surfaced the information

that it can also benefit the mother in a way; A great act the forms the bonds of mother and child

even further, a physical interaction that gives psychological effects that will last, a long-past

event that has a great influence in the long-run of the future, neglected and replaces for artificial

means unknown that when done so it is but a great loss. Such is the value of breastfeeding.

IV. References

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