Per the WHO, Complementary feeding is defined as the process
starting when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional
requirements of infants, and therefore other foods and liquids are needed,
along with breast milk. The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family
foods is referred to as complementary feeding. Formerly, the ideal age of this
transition was at the age of 4 months. However; recently, based on the new WHO
recommendations, exclusive breastfeeding is found to be of maximum benefit to
the child health when it continues till the age 6 months. Starting from 6 – 24 months
of age, complimentary feeding should continue side by side with breastfeeding
which should continue through this period. This period is critical for child
growth during which, nutrient and micro-nutrient deficiencies contribute
globally to higher rates of child malnutrition which is the underlying cause for
multiple diseases that account for high child mortality rates of children under
five worldwide. Apart from timing, adequacy, appropriateness, and cleanliness
are crucial with the transition to complimentary food.
In the developing countries, the problem is complicated.
Women in the era of globalization are forced to go to labor market to afford
money for themselves, babies, and families. The work conditions are not
suitable to maintain the exclusive breastfeeding till the age of 6 months and
mothers tend to either shift to formula and/or complimentary feeding earlier.
In most of the developing countries this carries disastrous influences on child
health. These countries mostly lack access to clean and safe water and/or
refrigeration. Hence; the risk of illness dramatically increases when babies
start solids and/or formula especially that they did not get their sufficient immunity
from their mothers’ breast milk. With introducing solid foods and or/formula to
babies, potential exposure to pathogens from contaminated food, water, or
utensils will significantly increase. Additionally, the solid food introduced
to the child is mostly dependent on availability of food in households rather
than adequacy and appropriateness to the child age which could expose the child
health to further complications.
Tackling the problems of exclusive breastfeeding and complimentary
feeding practices is crucial due to their global influence on child health and
mortality rates. However; interventions in the developing world is very
complicated. Although lack of knowledge is a major factor, I believe that it is
neither enough nor successful in such communities. In my opinion, these problems
should be tackled from multi-perspectives, taking into consideration the individual
level along with the structural barriers and the social suffering of the mothers
in the globalized world.
Reference:
Hi Salma,
ReplyDeleteYes it is indeed a complex problem. We have talked about breastfeeding so much in so many different contexts in this class but it really is a very influential health marker that is influenced by many cultural, social, personal, and environmental factors. When you discuss the pathogenic concerns with complementary feeding, I am reminded of our discussion of lack of clean water. I feel like we usually associate lack of clean water with formula feeding when breastfeeding is stopped too early, but complementary feeding always has to start eventually, and this represents a threatening transition for babies everywhere. While the results are felt most in the developing world where lack of hygiene can be deadly, the problem of complimentary feeding too soon is not isolated to the developing world; shifting roles for women in the West has made it a problem of the developed world as well. For another class I am also researching how breastfeeding affects the microbiome and can influence disease later in life, particularly obesity risk. Globally we need a better appreciation for how important this phase of life is for a child's health and development, not only nutritionally but also immunologically and microbiologically. Breast is best, so we need to make sure that women everywhere have the ability, education, and desire to breastfeed exclusively for 6+ months.
Hi Salma,
ReplyDeleteYou really hit on all of the barriers that arise when trying to address this problem in both the developed and developing countries. In the developed world, I believe the biggest barrier to exclusive breast feeding for 6 months is too short of maternal leave. Mothers have to return to work to soon, and must rely on formula or other methods. If mothers were allowed more time off, the problem may be easily fixed. In developing countries however,the country most likely cannot afford to give paid leave for 6 months, and mothers cannot afford taking 6 months off from their daily duties. Even is this was possible, the adequate resources are not available to them to keep their child in optimal health. There is a lack of food and clean water, and poor sanitation. This is a difficult problem to tackle, but a very important one nonetheless. As you and Sydney both mentioned, this is a critical part of a child's life and may set the stage for their health for the rest of their lives.
Salma, congratulations on your baby! I have mentioned before that I have a godson. The little guy is about 8.5 months old and growing so fast. When we had Thanksgiving, I was shocked that he is already starting to eat some semi-solid foods. I know next to nothing about babies as he is the first one in our family. Shortly after Ryken was born, he was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis. This condition is generally rare, but it does a number on the children who have it. Luckily, we live in an age that babies can get treated for it and he is getting better. Those first few months were rough with Ryken not being able to keep anything in his tummy. This being said, he is slightly behind the growth curve weight-wise. I am hoping that with the introduction of more solid food to his diet, he will be able to catch up in weight. It is tragic to think that someone in a developing country wouldn’t have the opportunities my godson has and could suffer from stunting as a result. There is hope for the future in child nutrition, but change is slower than we would hope.
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