CHRISTINA SUMMERS, ANDREW EDMUNDS,

NICOLE YOUNG, MEGHAN SHENOT, SANDRA

KELLING, JEROD HADDAD

A Systematic Review on the

Benefits of Breastfeeding

INTRODUCTION

Research Question: Is breastfeeding better than bottle feeding?

Why this was selected: This has been an issue for many years

Advantages and disadvantages of both methods

Search Strategies: EBP articles: Academic Search Complete, Wiley Online

Library

Terms Searched: Breastfeeding, Benefits, Risks, Bottle feeding,

INTRODUCTION CONTINUED

Complications while researching topic:

Maternal Opinions

Recent articles

Articles published in the United States

Purpose of Review: To determine if there is a

substantial benefit to breastfeeding either to

mother or baby and to baby later in life than

bottle feeding

INTEGRATED LITERATURE REVIEW

One article discussed the concerns related to contaminants found in breast milk and its concerns to whether or not the risks outweighed the benefits. Despite the risks of the infant being exposed to POPs (persistent

organic pollutants) from the mothers breast milk research still indicates that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks and long term implications of POP exposure to the breastfeeding infant (Mead, 2009).

The protection breast feeding provides to the infant includes protection against enteric and respiratory infections, bacterial sepsis, meningitis, UTI’s, ear infections, and allergic dermatitis (Mead, 2009).

It is clearly stated in the article that “avoiding breast milk and using cows milk or formula is not a reasonable way to respond to the problem of environmental pollution and human milk contamination (Mead, 2009).”

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

Another article discussed the relationship between breastfeeding and oral health. The summary includes information on the benefits of breastfeeding which were already discussed and makes mention of the maternal benefits of breastfeeding (Beall, 2010).

In relation to the breastfeeding oral health relationship the article discussed the myths associated with breast feeding and its relationship to the development of dental caries. The article described how dental hygienists were in a great position to provide education to new mothers about the relationship between early childhood caries and breast milk (Beall, 2010).

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

Groer & Davis analyzed relationships between stress, moods and

immunity in breastfeeding vs. formula feeding.

-A cross-sectional study of 181 breast or formula feeding healthy

mothers at 4 -6 weeks postpartum

-Formula feeding mothers had decreased levels of interferon gamma

when presented with stress, moods, and negative life events. (66%) This

correlates with a depression of cellular immunity. Women who were

breastfeeding did not show this relationship and only 33% showed any

decreased level and only with negative life events.

- Formula feeding mothers have a 75% greater chance of obtaining a

postpartum infection. Breastfeeding mothers had a 25% chance and

only with the GI infections. (Groer & Davis, 2006)

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

Researchers evaluated the impact of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding

on depressed and non-depressed mothers and their feeding

interactions.

-There were 28 depressed mothers (14 breastfeeding and 14 bottle-

feeding) and 28 non-depressed mothers (14 breastfeeding and 14

bottle-feeding).

-Both types of breastfeeding mothers scored higher on the Mother rating

scale and the Infant rating scale. This included less burping, less

intrusive stimulation during the nipple-in and nipple-out phase, and

more stroking.

-Data suggestive of mothers and infants benefited by breastfeeding in

the area of emotional satisfaction and relationship interaction while

feeding (Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, Figueriredo & Ezell, 2010)

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

The article titled “What research does and doesn’t say about breast feeding: a critical review”, was a summation of different articles about breastfeeding benefits and what topics still need more research to confirm findings, such as bonding between mother and baby and the improvement of cognitive function among infants (Schulze & Carlisle, 2008).

The article also takes into account that education is a key factor in improving breastfeeding rates in the United States by using the appropriate teaching methods with the selected group receiving the information (Schulze & Carlisle, 2008).

There are also many benefits for the mother as well, and these include decreased blood loss after birth, decreased risk of premenopausal breast cancer, decreased risk of ovarian cancer, overall lifetime decreased menstrual blood loss, possible protection from some infections, reduced risk of osteoporosis and feelings of success with motherhood (Schulze & Carlisle, 2008).

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

Godfrey and Lawrence explored how breastfeeding provided benefits for not only the infant but also the nursing mother. In 2010, 71% of American women initiated breastfeeding but only 35% continued for more then 6 months (Godfrey & Lawrence, 2010).

The evidence is sufficient to confirm that women who breastfeed, particularly to or beyond 1 year, are known to have a reduced risk of breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), some (reproductive) cancers, postpartum depression, and rheumatoid arthritis (Godfrey & Lawrence, 2010).

No study has identified when breastfeeding should effectively cease, but studies have shown that benefits of breastfeeding will occur during the entire duration and possibly after cessation (Godfrey & Lawrence, 2010).

Another article discussed the risks vs. benefits of breast milk and formula for not just the infant, but the mother as well. (Schwartz, 2010).

Breastfeeding (BF) leads to a decreased risk of many diseases and conditions for the mother as opposed to formula feeding. (Schwartz, 2010).

In Infants, there is less likelihood of infection, obesity, ear infections, and several issues when the baby is breast fed instead of formula fed. (Schwartz, 2010)

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

INTEGRATED LITERATURE CONTINUED

One article explored the psychological aspects of

why mothers choose to breast feed or bottle feed

There are cultural, societal, and ethnic barriers to

breast feeding that are not often considered (Purdy,

2010).

The sources of information regarding breast feeding do

not typically come from healthcare personnel. Usually,

the parents have made up their minds based off of

what family and friends tell them before they ever come

to the hospital. (Purdy, 2010).

GAPS TO RESEARCH FINDINGS

Small sample group

Socioeconomic differences

Review of other articles

NURSING ACTIONS

Educate on breastfeeding benefits.

Promote breastfeeding as the preferred feeding method.

Promote good hygiene, adequate sleep and healthy diet to

prevent infection.

Encourage mothers who have a desire to breastfeed.

Help mothers to anticipate possible breastfeeding problems.

Assist with interventions to cope.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Breastfeeding is a normal activity

Mothers and infants can both benefit from

breastfeeding

Nurses should promote breastfeeding

Nurses should provide education about

breastfeeding to mothers and fathers

Nurses should provide education about the

benefits to mother and baby

FUTURE RESEARCH

Potential questions: Nurses supporting mothers

Time of breastfeeding

Teaching of breastfeeding

Suggestions for future research on: Long term effects of pollutants via breast milk

Relationship of breastfeeding time and neurodevelopment

Breast milk and decreased allergies, autoimmune diseases and malignancies

Advantages of breastfeeding with depressed mothers

FUTURE RESEARCH

Designs

Quantitative-Ethnography

Qualitative-Phenomenological studies

Samples

Nonrandom

CONCLUSION

Breastfeeding is better than bottle feeding

Beneficial to baby

Less future medical problems

Beneficial to mother

Less stress

Decreased chances of medical problems

REFERENCES

Beall, A. (2010). The Breastfeeding-Oral Health Relationship. Access, 24(2), 20-22. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2656791

Davidson, M., London, M., & Ladewig, P. (2012). OLD's Maternal-Newborn Nursing & Women's Health: Across the Lifespan (9th Edition ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, United States of America: Pearson.

Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Figueriredo, B., Ezell, S., (2010), Depressed mothers and infants are more relaxed during breastfeeding versus bottle feeding interactions: Brief report. Infant Behavior and Development 33 p 241-244.

REFERENCES

Godfrey, P., & Lawrence, R. (2010). Toward optimal health: the maternal benefits of breastfeeding. Journal of Women’s Health, 19 (9), 1597-1602.

Groer, M. & Davis, M. (2006). Cytokines, infections, stress, and dysphoric moods in breastfeeders and formula feeders. Obstetric and Gynecologic Neonatal Nursing, 35, 500-607.

REFERENCES

Mead, M. N., (2008). Contaminants in Human Milk: Weighing the Risks against the Benefits of Breastfeeding. Environmental Health Perspectives 116, A427-434. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18941560

Purdy, Y. (2010). Social, cultural, and medical factors that influence maternal breastfeeding. Issues in mental health nursing. Vol 31 (5), 365-367. Retrieved from http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/01612840903359757

Schmidt, N. A. & Brown, J. M. (2009). Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses: Appraisal and Application for Research. Sudbury, MA. Jones and Bartlett.

REFERENCES

Schulze, P., & Carlisle, S. (2008). What research does and doesn’t say about breastfeeding: a critical review. Early Childhood Development and Care, 180 (6), 703-718

Schwartz, E., & Stuebe, A. (2010). The risks and benefits of infant feeding practices for women and their children. Journal of perinatology 155-162. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/jp/journal/v30/n3/full/jp2009107a.html