Breast Feeding
The fertility regulating effect of breastfeeding has been known for underestimated. This has been due mostly to the lack of knowledge of the events associated with breastfeeding that determine its contraceptive effect. It is now known that breastfeeding per se is not a particularly effective or reliable means of contraception. On the other hand, the period of amenorrhea associated with breastfeeding, commonly referred to as lactional amenorrhea, provides an important degree of contraceptive effect.
Physiology of Contraceptive Effect of Breast Feeding
„h Endocrine Responses to Breastfeeding
The physiological response to suckling at the breast is not local, but is mediated hormonally through afferent neural signals to the brain from receptors in the nipple. The secretion of two pituitary hormones, oxytocin and prolactin, into the circulatory system, marks the mother's primary response to suckling. Leake et al. reported the continued presence of a vigorous oxytocin response in long-term (up to one year) breastfeeding. Oxytocin is secreted from specialised nerve endings in the posterior pituitary and participates in the milk ejection reflex, while prolactin is secreted from cells within the anterior pituitary and appears to be responsible for the co-ordination of the complex biochemical processes involved in milk production.
No reports were found that might attribute to oxytocin an ability to interact with the reproductive system. In contrast to the apparent lack of interaction of oxytocin, prolactin may affect reproduction at multiple sites including the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the ovaries. However it is not clear to what extent that any direct effects of prolactin are ...
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... Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol.62, pp.567-589, 1992.
Books
„h Howie.P.W., "Synopsis of research on breastfeeding and fertility," Breastfeeding and natural Family Planning, ed.Mary Shivanandan, pp.7-21, KM Associates, Bethesda, MD, 1986.
„h La Leche League International, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding," La Leche League International, Franklin Park, IL, 1981, 3rd edition.
„h McNeilly.A.S., Glasier.A. & Howie.P.W., "Endocrine control of lactational infertility," Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Infertility, ed. Dobbing.J., pp.1-19, Nestle Nutrition, Raven Press, New York, 1985.
„h Bongaarts.J. & Potter.R.G., "Fertility, Biology and Behaviour," Academic Press, New York, 1983.
„h Kippley.S.K., "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing : How Ecological Breastfeeding Spaces Babies," The Couple to Couple League International, Inc., Cincinnati, 1989.
The prolactin hormone is produced by the prolactin cells which are protein cells, primarily by the inhibitory hormone dopamine(Marieb & Hoehn 603).The hypothalamus is triggered from the increase of dopamine(Marieb & Hoehn 606).The levels of prolactin released depends on the amount of estrogen in the blood a woman has(Shannon 176).The secretion of prolactin normally happens when a woman is pregnant and after giving birth( Shannon 176). The estrogen when a...
The article shortly summarizes new findings of a study published in the scholarly journal Social Science & Medicine, conducted by Assistant Professor of sociology at the Ohio State University Cynthia Colen. The Times Magazine article describes the research done by Colen as a longitudinal study using three populations of 8,237 children, 7,319 siblings and 1,773 paired siblings as its sample where one sibling was breast-fed while the other was not. Sifferlin stated there were eleven outcomes during the study used to determine the impact breast feeding had on the population. The eleven outcomes derived from prior research. The author of the article interpreted the findings of the study and the findings of previous studies of related topics.
Breastfeeding is when a woman feeds her child from her breast. Breastfeeding has been around since before the 15th century. In addition to strengthening the bond between a mother and her baby, breastfeeding offers a number of benefits for both a mother and her child. Babies who are breastfed have lower risk of meningitis, various cancers, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, childhood leukemia, allergies and obesity. Mothers have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis. All mothers no matter where they are weather it be the mall, park, restaurant, or just out running errands need to have their right to breastfeed protected.
Many mothers believe that they will not get pregnant while exclusively breastfeeding their babies. This practice is called the Lactational Amerrorhea Method (LAM) of birth control because women who breastfeed exclusively usually do not menstruate after childbirth. This results in natural infertility. However, many mothers are confused about fertility and breastfeeding because of conflicting information they receive. These include myths like breastfeeding is an unreliable method of preventing pregnancy and breastfeeding will prevent pregnancies no matter how frequently they breastfeed or even if their period has resumed.
Lactation consultants are a vital part of the healthcare system. Together with the rest of the healthcare team they make sure that mother and baby's care as a breastfeeding pair is complete. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant represents the "gold standard" in lactation consultant credentialing. Lactation consultants who carry the credentials IBCLC behind their names are specially trained and qualified to assist with every aspect of breastfeeding. I chose the topic of lactation consulting because I feel strongly about being a breastfeeding advocate. I believe that those in the healthcare field, especially the people involved in woman’s health and pediatrics should be knowledgeable in this area. After all it has been found that breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants.
Mulder, P. J. (2006,). A concept analysis of effective breastfeeding. JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 35, 332-339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00050.x
Breastfeeding is a highly debated topic amongst mothers across the world. Every mother has the choice to breastfeed or bottle fed their infant. Although everyone is entitled to their own opinion and choice, it is scientifically proven that breast milk is more beneficial for the infant’s health and development and the mother. Breast milk contains extremely beneficial vitamins and nutrients and also has the ability to change according to the infant’s growth and development. Formula companies try to mock breast milk to the best they can, although it cannot be completely composed the same. “Breastfeeding offers immunological and allergy protection to the infant, is economical and convenient as it is always fresh and the right temperature, and provides a great opportunity for the mother and infant to bond” (p. 1052, Potter & Perry, 2011). Research has proven that breast milk is the most
Women do not breastfeed long enough. Although healthcare workers try to promote the breast method, many women do not continue with it. Breastfeeding does come with challenges; however, the phrase “breast is best” is the role of the nurse in conjunction with education. A mother a...
Breastfeeding is a nonsexual and nurturing bond between a mother and her child and not the business of anyone else. As a society, we must offer protection for these vulnerable and cherishing mothers and create a welcoming and comfortable climate for them to feel empowered. Let’s put an end to this mother of all battles. Thank
Rear Admiral Galson, S. K. (July 2008). Mothers and Children Benefit from Breastfeeding. American Dietic Association Vol 108 Issue 7 , p 1106.
LLLI | Breastfeeding: An Optimal Way to Space Babies. (n.d.). LLLI | Home. Retrieved July 15, 2010, from http://www.llli.org/NB/NBSepOct08p4
Diskin, M. G. (201). Fertility in the High Producing Dairy Cow (Vol. Volume 2). BSAS.
Zanardo, V., Svegliado, G., Cavallin, F., Giustardi, A., Cosmi, E., Litta, P., & Trevisanuto, D. (2010). Elective cesarean delivery: Does it have a negative effect on breastfeeding? Birth, 37(4), 275-279. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.summit.csuci.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f4eb05fd-f93d-45bf-aa4d-ef5c14821ea7%40sessionmgr4004&vid=4&hid=4207
Teitelbaum, Michael S., Jay Winter. “Low Fertility Rates - Just a Phase?” YaleGlobal Online. Yale Global, 9 Jul. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2014.
Breastfeeding provides a wide array of health benefits for both baby and mother, while simultaneously enhancing the bond between mom and her baby. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer. Their babies see a boost in cognitive development, as well as lowering their chances of being obese as adults, unlike formula fed babies. Consequently, a lower risk of obesity correlates to a lower incident of a wide array of comorbidities such as