The science and ethics behind breastfeeding

(And nature must obey necessity: William Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Act-4 Scene 3)

 

 

Breast Feeding is a natural act. All mammals do it. They don’t need advertisement. They do it by instinct. It is a need for survival. It is a necessity of nature. The production of milk within a mother’s breast is a wonderful scientific fact which beggars description. The breast becomes a milk factory for nothing.

The new-born babies instinctively suck their mother’s milk. Those who have witnessed the birth of a newborn calf have noticed that shortly after birth, the calf rushes to its mother’s udder for sucking it.

The calf continues to do it till it learns how to graze. But the story of man (who has been termed as the Best of Creation and the Custodian of Nature in almost all religions of the world) is different. Ancient societies took to breast feeding all right without questioning or urges from any quarter.

But as science progressed and the life styles of mankind began to diversify, many people avoided breast feeding without realizing that the very act of production of milk within the mother’s breast is itself a complicated scientific fact and did not come into existence for nothing but as an integral part of the necessity of Nature to sustain the mammalian life forms.

In a country like Bangladesh where most of the people are faith bound, it is a pity that they read the religious books but many of them don’t obey the ethical principles of life, of which the bearing and the raring of the child is the most important one. The rural women adopt breast feeding as a cultural and ethical practice all right.

It is only recently that the whole world has awaken from slumber, so to say, to declare that there is nothing like breast feeding for the health of the child and of the mother; breast feeding foundations have sprung; campaigns for breast feeding are being launched vigorously; promotional activities have been floated; maternity leave has been extended; physicians and researchers have been undertaking breast feeding reviews.

But statistics still does not reflect the complete following of the Verdict of Nature: hundred percent mothers do not follow exclusive breast feeding; not even fifty percent; the educated mothers of urban areas should have followed exclusive breast feeding because of whatever little knowledge of science they have gained; the uneducated mothers do not know science but it is they who have been following the practice of breast feeding only

because they feel that it is ethical to do so.

Sometimes, they overcome their physical abilities to breast feed their babies through a strong will power. They establish the victory of the mind over the body. Before we discuss the ethical aspects of breast feeding, let us deal briefly with the science of breast feeding.

Firstly, the colostrum (or yellow milk as it is called) that is secreted for the first two or three days after delivery should not be avoided due to ignorance or superstition but should be compulsorily used. It is extremely useful for the child. The colostrum contains 20% protein in which immunoglobulins predominate (Ig) representing the antibodies found in maternal blood. It contains more minerals and less fat carbohydrate than does milk. Colostrum is very helpful for newborn babies for the development of immunity against infections.

Secondly, lactation also delays pregnancy as Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) may persist for as many as two years in lactating mothers; thus breast feeding may act as a natural family planning device only if lactation can be continuous and prolonged.

Thirdly, breast feeding is not only a routine mechanical procedure; it helps the mother to fall in love with her baby. The mother-infant attachment can be made secure and can give the baby security and the mother an understanding of the child’s needs.

Thus, breast feeding develops a wonderful physical, psychological and moral bond between the child and the mother. If this bond is completely developed and maintained then, the child becomes less prone to bad practices of external people including drug addiction and violence of many sorts

Fourthly, there is also cumulative evidence from the studies of Clayton of al (obstetrics, 13th edition, Arnold, p 473, 1980) that the health of the breasts of the mother is preserved when they are allowed to fulfil their physiological functions. There are indications (which need to be substantiated statistically) that mothers who fully practice breast feeding become less prone to breast cancer.

The lists of benefits of breast feeding may be extended further. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that “Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optional health and achievement while continuing breast feeding for up to two years of beyond.” Currently, fewer than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed worldwide.

Breast feeding is also highly recommended from the ethical point of view. The ethical principles of all religions of the world are strongly in favour of breast feeding. It is interesting to note that Al-Quran, the last of all the revealed books and the seconder of all of them states in verse 2:233 that “the mothers should give suck to their off-springs for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term.

And upon him is the duty of feeding and clothing of the nursing mother in equitable terms…….”. This verse is scientifically very interesting in view of the fact that biological studies have revealed that although there is a proportionality of the omlrgans of a child in his/her infancy and those in his/her adulthood, such a proportionality does not exist in the case of the brain.

After about 2-3 years of birth, the brain of the child is generally well formed and this is not much different in size from the adult brain. Thus, the initial period 2-3 years after birth is very crucial for a child. The neurons (the cells of the brain) are protein based.

Some feel that if the mother is healthy and can provide breast feeding to her child for a complete 2 year period, then that alone can take account of the development of the brain; other nutritious food can supplement the process. Thus, the investment on a child in terms of his physical and mental development becomes very meaningful in the very early years of the child. Obviously breast feeding should be regarded as one of the most investments on the child.

In a country like Bangladesh where most of the people are faith bound, it is a pity that they read the religious books but many of them don’t obey the ethical principles of life, of which the bearing and the raring of the child is the most important one. The rural women adopt breast feeding as a cultural and ethical practice all right. The science behind this practice is well established.

Thus, there is no room for any misgiving and conflict between this ethical practice and science. Breast feeding must be regarded as a Fundamental Right of the child. What is needed now for the full practice of breast feeding is real action in various sectors: (1) Science writers and physicians should, through the audio visual media, make the entire population thoroughly aware of the inevitability of breast feeding, (2) members of families should ensure that the pregnant woman in the family is provided nutritious foods at all costs, (3) The Government and the private sector authorities should ensure the maximum possible maternity facilities for the sake of building a healthy generation with physical and mental soundness.

The Government has already extended the maternity leave; private sectors should follow suit; moreover, in all institutions in the country where women are working at different levels, arrangements should be made for mothers to breast feed their babies at childcare centers at the work places (Lady members of the parliament in other countries have reportedly breastfed their child even in the parliament.

The present author witnessed a Japanese woman breast feed her child publicly in a queue in Mongolia). Breast feeding of a child is a very natural act and there should be no shame about it; (4) Leaders of religious communities should preach strongly about the benefits of breast feeding at congregations on Fridays and other days in Masjids, Mandirs, Churches and Monasteries.

Lastly, the Breast Feeding Foundation of Bangladesh should immediately launch a project of publishing a booklet in simple parlance containing the science and ethics of breast feeding as supported by books of all religions for distribution among all sections of the people.

Breast feeding has been ordained to be a Fundamental law of Nature amongst Mammals; why should Human Beings being the best of mammals not follow it?

 

 

The science and ethics behind breastfeeding

(And nature must obey necessity: William Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Act-4 Scene 3) Breast Feeding is a natural act. All mammals do it. They dont need advertisement. They do it by instinct. It is a need for survival. It is a necessity of nature. The production of milk within a mothers breast is a wonderful scientific fact which beggars description. The breast becomes a milk factory for nothing. The new-born babies instinctively suck their mothers milk. Those who have witnessed the birth of a newborn calf have noticed that shortly after birth, the calf rushes to its mothers udder for sucking it. The calf continues to do it till it learns how to graze. But the story of man (who has been termed as the Best of Creation and the Custodian of Nature in almost all religions of the world) is different. Ancient societies took to breast feeding all right without questioning or urges from any quarter. But as science progressed and the life styles of mankind began to diversify, many people avoided breast feeding without realizing that the very act of production of milk within the mothers breast is itself a complicated scientific fact and did not come into existence for nothing but as an integral part of the necessity of Nature to sustain the mammalian life forms. In a country like Bangladesh where most of the people are faith bound, it is a pity that they read the religious books but many of them dont obey the ethical principles of life, of which the bearing and the raring of the child is the most important one. The rural women adopt breast feeding as a cultural and ethical practice all right. It is only recently that the whole world has awaken from slumber, so to say, to declare that there is nothing like breast feeding for the health of the child and of the mother; breast feeding foundations have sprung; campaigns for breast feeding are being launched vigorously; promotional activities have been floated; maternity leave has been extended; physicians and researchers have been undertaking breast feeding reviews. But statistics still does not reflect the complete following of the Verdict of Nature: hundred percent mothers do not follow exclusive breast feeding; not even fifty percent; the educated mothers of urban areas should have followed exclusive breast feeding because of whatever little knowledge of science they have gained; the uneducated mothers do not know science but it is they who have been following the practice of breast feeding only because they feel that it is ethical to do so. Sometimes, they overcome their physical abilities to breast feed their babies through a strong will power. They establish the victory of the mind over the body. Before we discuss the ethical aspects of breast feeding, let us deal briefly with the science of breast feeding. Firstly, the colostrum (or yellow milk as it is called) that is secreted for the first two or three days after delivery should not be avoided due to ignorance or superstition but should be compulsorily used. It is extremely useful for the child. The colostrum contains 20% protein in which immunoglobulins predominate (Ig) representing the antibodies found in maternal blood. It contains more minerals and less fat carbohydrate than does milk. Colostrum is very helpful for newborn babies for the development of immunity against infections. Secondly, lactation also delays pregnancy as Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) may persist for as many as two years in lactating mothers; thus breast feeding may act as a natural family planning device only if lactation can be continuous and prolonged. Thirdly, breast feeding is not only a routine mechanical procedure; it helps the mother to fall in love with her baby. The mother-infant attachment can be made secure and can give the baby security and the mother an understanding of the childs needs. Thus, breast feeding develops a wonderful physical, psychological and moral bond between the child and the mother. If this bond is completely developed and maintained then, the child becomes less prone to bad practices of external people including drug addiction and violence of many sorts Fourthly, there is also cumulative evidence from the studies of Clayton of al (obstetrics, 13th edition, Arnold, p 473, 1980) that the health of the breasts of the mother is preserved when they are allowed to fulfil their physiological functions. There are indications (which need to be substantiated statistically) that mothers who fully practice breast feeding become less prone to breast cancer. The lists of benefits of breast feeding may be extended further. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optional health and achievement while continuing breast feeding for up to two years of beyond. Currently, fewer than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed worldwide. Breast feeding is also highly recommended from the ethical point of view. The ethical principles of all religions of the world are strongly in favour of breast feeding. It is interesting to note that Al-Quran, the last of all the revealed books and the seconder of all of them states in verse 2:233 that the mothers should give suck to their off-springs for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. And upon him is the duty of feeding and clothing of the nursing mother in equitable terms.. This verse is scientifically very interesting in view of the fact that biological studies have revealed that although there is a proportionality of the omlrgans of a child in his/her infancy and those in his/her adulthood, such a proportionality does not exist in the case of the brain. After about 2-3 years of birth, the brain of the child is generally well formed and this is not much different in size from the adult brain. Thus, the initial period 2-3 years after birth is very crucial for a child. The neurons (the cells of the brain) are protein based. Some feel that if the mother is healthy and can provide breast feeding to her child for a complete 2 year period, then that alone can take account of the development of the brain; other nutritious food can supplement the process. Thus, the investment on a child in terms of his physical and mental development becomes very meaningful in the very early years of the child. Obviously breast feeding should be regarded as one of the most investments on the child. In a country like Bangladesh where most of the people are faith bound, it is a pity that they read the religious books but many of them dont obey the ethical principles of life, of which the bearing and the raring of the child is the most important one. The rural women adopt breast feeding as a cultural and ethical practice all right. The science behind this practice is well established. Thus, there is no room for any misgiving and conflict between this ethical practice and science. Breast feeding must be regarded as a Fundamental Right of the child. What is needed now for the full practice of breast feeding is real action in various sectors: (1) Science writers and physicians should, through the audio visual media, make the entire population thoroughly aware of the inevitability of breast feeding, (2) members of families should ensure that the pregnant woman in the family is provided nutritious foods at all costs, (3) The Government and the private sector authorities should ensure the maximum possible maternity facilities for the sake of building a healthy generation with physical and mental soundness. The Government has already extended the maternity leave; private sectors should follow suit; moreover, in all institutions in the country where women are working at different levels, arrangements should be made for mothers to breast feed their babies at childcare centers at the work places (Lady members of the parliament in other countries have reportedly breastfed their child even in the parliament. The present author witnessed a Japanese woman breast feed her child publicly in a queue in Mongolia). Breast feeding of a child is a very natural act and there should be no shame about it; (4) Leaders of religious communities should preach strongly about the benefits of breast feeding at congregations on Fridays and other days in Masjids, Mandirs, Churches and Monasteries. Lastly, the Breast Feeding Foundation of Bangladesh should immediately launch a project of publishing a booklet in simple parlance containing the science and ethics of breast feeding as supported by books of all religions for distribution among all sections of the people. Breast feeding has been ordained to be a Fundamental law of Nature amongst Mammals; why should Human Beings being the best of mammals not follow it?