Breastfeeding News (Part 1)

News You Can Use E-Newsletter –July 2007
The E-Newsletter for Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs

In This Issue:

Breastfeeding News and Research

Benefits of Breastfeeding
Expert Work Group on Breastfeeding
Audioconference
Aired: May 23, 2007 from 2-3:30 pm (EST)
Mother’s Milk: Welcoming and Supporting Breastfeeding in Your Program

Resources and Information

Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide ($12.50)
Breastfeeding: Good for Babies, Mothers, And the Planet

Upcoming Events

Web cast of plenary sessions of the 11th Annual Birth-To-Three Institute
Quality Practices for Babies and Toddlers: Systems and Services that Work
Audioconference
Airing: August 1, 2007 from 2-3:30 pm (EST)
It’s Good for Them! Promoting Physical and Social-Emotional Development at Snacks and Mealtimes

Breastfeeding News and Research
Let’s face it. Breastfeeding is a very provocative topic among early childhood staff and families. Some mothers decide to breastfeed and some do not. Many mothers do not have the option, and still others may have received direct and subtle messages either for or against breastfeeding. In 1993 the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) reported that 55.9% of American mothers breastfed their babies in the hospital. In that same year, the percentage of those mothers who continued to breastfeed at 6 months dropped to 19%. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be breastfed for six months or more. Based on the 1993 percentages, the USFDA and private health experts began working to increase these numbers (Williams, 1995). The efforts are working but the statistics are still low, particularly for older infants. By 2005 the percentages of American mothers who breastfed their babies immediately after birth increased to 72.9%. At six months this percentage dropped to 39.1%. Head Start (HS), Early Head Start (EHS) and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) programs working with expectant families and those with young children have a unique opportunity to share information and make a difference! What follows are breastfeeding benefits for babies, mothers and families. Some may be familiar, and others may be new. The choice is ultimately an individual family’s to make based on the situation and need.

Developmental, Nutritional, Health and Mental Health Benefits For Babies

o Breast milk has the proper amount of nutrients and proportions of fat, sugar, water and protein to meet the growing baby’s needs. Throughout the baby’s growth and development, breast milk changes to meet the baby’s changing needs.

o Breast milk contains fatty acids that are important for a baby’s brain growth and development.

o The immunological and health benefits to breastfed babies are greater. Breast milk helps to strengthen the immune response to polio, tetanus, diphtheria and flu.

o Breastfeeding reduces incidences of respiratory, ear and urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

o Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of dental cavities.

o Breastfeeding promotes mother-baby bonding; and the physical, skin-to-skin contact with mother helps baby feel secure and comforted.

(From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Women’s Health Information Center at the Office of Women’s Health, http://www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding ; and

Dermer, A., & Montgomery, A. (1997). Breastfeeding: Good for Babies, Mothers and the Planet. Retrieved June 2007. http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html)

STATISTICS ON PREVENTIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING ON BABIES

Breastfed babies are at reduced risk of developing:

o acute otitis media (ear infection) by 50%
o atopic dermatitis (skin disease, swelling of the skin) by 42%
o gastrointestinal infections (infections in the intestine causing nausea and diarrhea) by 64%
o lower respiratory tract disease by 72%
o asthma by 27-40%
o Type I Diabetes by 19-27%
o Childhood Leukemia by 19%
o SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) by 36% among full-term infants
o Dying from Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC – infection/inflammation of intestine which can be destroyed if not treated) by 4-82% for pre-term infants

(From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Number 153, Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries, April 2007).

Physical and Health Benefits For Mothers

o Between 200 and 500 calories a day are used in breastfeeding, offering a mother rapid and natural weight loss. This is particularly advantageous for mothers who have had gestational diabetes, as returning to pre-pregnancy weight may prevent development of diabetes or the need for insulin or other medication.

o Breastfeeding immediately after a baby’s birth helps increase oxytocin (hormone stimulating uterine contractions), reducing the risk of postpartum bleeding.

o Breastfeeding delays the return of the menstrual cycle, which, in turn may lower the risk of anemia (decrease in number of red blood cells).

o Breastfeeding mothers are at a reduced risk of developing ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

(From Dermer, A., & Montgomery, A. (1997). Breastfeeding: Good for Babies, Mothers And the Planet. Retrieved June 2007. http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html)

STATISTICS ON PREVENTIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING ON MOTHERS

A breastfeeding mothers’ risk of:

o Type II Diabetes is reduced between 4 and 12%
o Breast Cancer is reduced by 28%
o Ovarian Cancer is reduced by 21%

(From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Number 153, Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries, April 2007).

Benefits of Breastfeeding on Overall Family Wellness

o Breastfeeding families benefit from having a healthier baby and mother with lower health care costs. This means that families can spend less time and money with doctors visits for illnesses and more time for well-baby visits.

o EHS families are WIC eligible and, as an added incentive, breastfeeding families can receive the largest food packages available on a monthly basis. These families are able to spend less money on food and are able to have more resources available for other family needs.

o Feeding time can be a very satisfying, warm, soothing and safe experience for both mother and baby. When nursing mothers and babies can simultaneously feel all of these emotions, feeding time becomes a special bonding time for moms and very young infants. Nursing mothers and infants can be a reminder to families of the importance of sharing special time together.

What Staff Can Do

o Understand your own experiences about breastfeeding. In order to support families in making a choice that is right for them, it is important to reflect on your own personal feelings, keeping in mind that breastfeeding is a very personal decision.

o Create quiet spaces for nursing moms to breastfeed their babies in center-based programs, and during socializations for moms in home-based programs.

o Share written materials and information on breastfeeding as part of an orientation packet with families upon entry into the HS, EHS or MSHS program.

o Partner with agencies like La Leche League and WIC to provide consultants who can help facilitate discussion with staff and families around making the choice to breastfeed.

What Parents Can Do

o Learn as much as possible about breastfeeding and the factors that influence the decision to breastfeed. Think about your individual family situation and the type of support your family would need to make the choice to breastfeed.

o Join a breastfeeding support group and/or share some of your questions and concerns about making the choice to breastfeed with staff and other parents at a parent meeting.

For more information on articles and websites related to the benefits of breastfeeding please click on the links below:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
United States Department of Health & Human Services
www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm
For further information:
(301) 427-1364

The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/resources/guide.htm
For general questions and concerns:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Contact Center – 1-800-CDC-INFO
TTY – 1-888-232-6348

The National Women’s Health Information Center at the Office of Women’s Health. For specific questions and concerns:
Breastfeeding Helpline - 1-800-994-9662
TDD - 1-888-220-5446
http://www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding

and

The WIC Learning Center http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Learning_Center/Breastfeeding_educational.html

National Expert Work Group on Breastfeeding
The Office of Head Start and the Early Head Start National Resource Center sponsored an Expert Work Group on Breastfeeding in Washington, DC on March 21-22, 2007. Researchers, government agency representatives working on this topic, training and technical assistance providers, program staff from across the country, and families came together for two days to focus on the following issues:

To understand the role of culture and community in deciding to breastfeed and continuing to breastfeed;
To identify challenges low-income families face in making and sustaining the decision to breastfeed. This includes contraindications and challenges to Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start staff in addressing this issue;
To explore approaches and strategies that have been effective in supporting Head Start families in making and sustaining the decision to breastfeed; and
To generate recommendations to the Office of Head Start on supporting staff who work directly with families to assist them in making informed and appropriately supported decisions around breastfeeding.

The Office of Head Start considers breastfeeding an important issue for Early Head Start staff, who in particular, have established relationships with families. It is hoped that local relationships with WIC and La Leche can be strengthened through combined efforts. The Office of Head Start is also committed to strengthening breastfeeding partnerships at the federal level and is working to ensure additional information and resources are made available on this topic for Early Head Start programs in the future.

Mother’s Milk: Welcoming and Supporting Breastfeeding in Your Program
This audioconference aired on May 23, 2007 from 2-3:30 pm (EST) and was designed to provide Head Start, Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs with information to support families in making the choice to breastfeed? Faculty for the audioconference talked about the reasons to breastfeed, and shared their experiences in establishing breastfeeding-friendly programs. A brief question and answer period followed.
Missed the audioconference?
Click on the link to listen to the broadcast in its entirety in the fall of 2007: www.ehsnrc.org

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide (2000) ($12.50)
This book provides an honest look at breastfeeding, separating fact from fiction. Parents are provided with clear instructions and helpful advice on breastfeeding for the newborn. http://www.amysbabies.com/shop

Breastfeeding: Good for Babies, Mothers, And the Planet
This article outlines the benefits of breastfeeding to mothers and babies and gives the reader some other important related issues to consider. http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html

UPCOMING EHS NRC EVENTS Summer/Fall 2007

Quality Practices for Babies and Toddlers: Systems and Services that Work
The 11th Annual Birth To Three Institute was held from June 25-29, 2007 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Sponsored by the Office of Head Start, this institute provided the opportunity for participants to learn about cutting-edge research and practical uses for the infant and family field.

Weren’t able to attend? Be sure to log onto http://www.ehsnrc.org in August 2007 to view the web cast.

It’s Good for Them! Promoting Physical and Social-Emotional Development at Snacks and Mealtimes
This upcoming audioconference airs on August 1, 2007 from 2-3:30 pm (EST). Snacks and mealtimes are an important part of the day. In working through Head Start Program Performance Standards, your program partners with families in providing not only healthy nutrition to children, but also healthy interactions as they eat. Snacks and mealtimes provide rich opportunities to teach children important cultural and social-emotional skills. This audioconference will examine the requirements for food and feeding in the Performance Standards, and the many ways staff and families can use these important routines to support development and learning in infants and toddlers.
Registration materials available at: http://www.ehsnrc.org

Next Issue Highlights:
Breastfeeding and Culture