Breast Feeding Across Cultures - 871 Words

Breast feeding has been in practice for a very long time, as early as 2000 BC. Before the invention of formula, bottles, and pumps this was the safest most common way for a mother to feed their infants. In fact, for 99% of human history breast milk was the sole source of nutrition for children until the age of two. In today’s society there are many different and opposing personal stand points on where or not a mother should breast feed their children. It is a very controversial topic with many variables. In breast feeding there are several benefits, reasons, and cultural effects that go into making the decision to engage or stay away from breast feeding. There is also historical causes and cultural differences that lead influence a mothers†¦show more content†¦The formula in today’s society is much more advanced and acceptable. Another reason is that breast feeding is painful and time consuming. Another common reason to not breast feed is that many women want t o return to work and not be limited to the places they can go such as restaurants and stores that do not allow breast feeding. There is historical evidence of this all over the world. In Israel around 2000 BC, children were deemed a blessing, and breastfeeding was considered a religious obligation. Breastfeeding was not always possible, however, due to lactation failure of the mother In Greece around 950 BC, women of higher social status frequently demanded wet nurses. Wet nurses were women that were paid to breast feed new babies when their biological mothers were not able to accomplish it. Breast feeding a child was widely accepted as â€Å"the thing to do† and even though it was uncomfortable and inconvenient many mothers took part in it. It was also common for fathers to watch the process and in turn it was a bonding experience for the whole family and eventually, wet nurses acquired a position of accountability and authority. The Bible even notes various examples of wet nurses At the climax of the Roman Empire, between 300 BC and 400 AD, written contracts were formed with wet nurses to feed orphaned or unwanted infants which were mostly females thrown out. The wealthy purchased the infant as an inexpensive slave for future use, and the wet nurses, who were usuallyShow MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of Breastfeeding1613 Words   |  7 Pagestoo is important. Breast milk is known to contain antibodies which can help the newborn in developing a strong immune system which influence all the body systems. Research has shown that breast-milk can help prevent long term diseases such as obesity, neurodevelopment, autoimmune diseases such as: asthma and type 1 diabetes; and can even contribute to a higher incidence of autism spectrum disorders(ASDs). With all these benefits it is astounding why mothers choose formula feeding over the latter.Read MoreCommunity Strategies Essay774 Words   |  4 Pageschosen? Use an example that is different than the postings of other stu dents. As an OB nurse, I care for many Hispanic women having babies. One of the culturally challenging barriers I have come across is that the women believe they should wait until their milk comes in before they start breast feeding. In the meanwhile they wish to feed their newborns formula from a bottle. Evidence-based practice supports breastfeeding from within one hour of birth until the child is one year old or older. InRead MoreThe Importance Of Breastfeeding Support The Women Of Somalia773 Words   |  4 PagesSomalia Culture plays a large role in the types of breastfeeding support the women of Somalia use. There is a lack of professional breastfeeding specialists as well as educational resources, which results in the lack of breastfeeding support (Waweru Moloney, 2008). According to Pieh-Holder (2011), pregnant and lactating women do not have access to professional nutrition education and as a result will depend on individuals around them within their communities, such as grandmothers and traditionalRead MoreParenting Practices Essay1002 Words   |  5 Pagesgo to church or not. Parenting practices that was instilled in me at an early age, is still engrained in me. Breast feeding was a very high standard for our family. Early on, everyone would breast feed, and believed in just that. Parenting emphasized how healthy and important it was to breast feed. Throughout generations family members began to rely more on formula, than breast feeding. Early on in our generation, parenting did not focus on extra curriculum activities as much. All of the kidsRead MoreBreastfeeding in Public884 Words   |  4 PagesWhat could possibly be wrong about a mother nourishing her child? Absolutely nothing. Many people view a womans breasts as sexual items. The main purpose of breasts Is to breastfeed a child after birth. I came across The Milk Truck while back. The Milk Truck is there â€Å"to create a mobile breastfeeding unit that allows mothers to feed their babies in places where they have been discouraged - restaurants, shopping malls, public spaces, etc. Babies should be able to eat anywhere, and everywhere. IRead MoreBreastfeeding The Perfect Infant Food Essay1672 Words   |  7 Pagesyou fed? Mothers breastfeeding their children is timeless. Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion most of the time when it comes to breasts, but when it’s breastfeeding everyone in society shuts the door. Breastfeeding is an action do ne by a mother who is feeding their baby with milk of her own. Breastfeeding is look down upon because of American Culture, it has gone from the main source of food for infants to an uncomfortable, less used practice and basically discriminated many women especiallyRead MoreThe Impact Of Teachers, School Social Workers And On An Infant And Toddler Biological Psychological, And Social Emotional Domain1276 Words   |  6 Pagesof the developmental process.† The developmental niches require a stream of resources, which is why child care and social services provided are interdependent and interrelated.   These developmental niches are the framework for examining the way culture structures the child’s environment. The article proposes that a child has a unique conceptual framework that   dictates their development. This framework includes: child development, family development, and community development.  The family membersRead MoreDifference Between American And Indian Cultures Essay1092 Words   |  5 PagesAs we know, all cultures have their differences. Cultural diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures. I have chosen to discuss the difference between American and Indian cultures. Particularly, the culture surrounding pregnancy and birth. Thanks to globalization, there are Indians giving birth in America and Americans giving birth in India. It is important to recognize that people from different cultures experience life in a variety of ways. These include different ways of lookingRead MoreA History of Western Society: Chapter 20 Outline1694 Words   |  7 PagesEducation Child Care and Nursing Lower class women breast-fed their children for a much more extended period than normal. a. This decreased the likelihood of pregnancy b. Child more likely to survive if breast-fed as opposed to being fed artificial foods. Higher class women hired other women to nurse for them a. Breast feeding was looked down on as crude, common, and undignified. b. Wet-nurse was the title given to those who were hired to breast feed children. c. Wet-nursing became a veryRead MoreA Research Study On Breastfeeding3831 Words   |  16 PagesCase study: breastfeeding â€Å"Breast feeding rates in developed countries such as the UK, Australia and the US are typically lower than World Health Organisation goals† Parkinson (2010) 3. From a study carried out by Queensland university stressed the importance of not only the delivery of literature on how effective breastfeeding is for your babies health but that what was also needed to increase the number of breast feeders was to give personal support and explains social and environmental benefits