Abstract
The Affordable Care Act initiated in 2010 aimed to facilitate free healthcare provisions to the citizens of America. This study aims to discuss the benefits of the Act in relation to breast-feeding practices. The study offers detailed explanation on the importance of the Act in encouraging exclusive breast-feeding of new mothers to infants. The study aims to explain the importance of breast-feeding in the prevention of infections, obesity, and diabetes to infants. The study also aims to expose better ways of enforcing breast-feeding to infants, like professional support. Outlined are examples of studies and evidences to help the reader understand the situation at hand. Key words used in the study include AAP (The American Academy of Pediatrics), WHO (World Health Organizations), ACA (Affordable Care Act), AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) and BFHI (Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative).
Introduction
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) dubbed “Obamacare” was initiated in August 2010. The act collectively widens insurance and consumer protection. Citizens also get to enjoy primary care access. The act has a clause that stresses on prevention, apart from care and treatment. The provision caters for new mothers by providing them with free support and breast-feeding supplies.
This study aims to investigate the impact of the Affordable Care Act in influencing breast-feeding of infants. The study examines the effects of neglect of breast-feeding practices by mothers.
Importance of breast-feeding to an infant’s health
Studies in the US show that mothers are the rising segment of workers. Approximately 54 percent of working mothers have children below the age of 4 years. The provision of ACA has brought numerous benefits for breast-feeding mothers and their infants. National and international public health institutions have stressed the importance of mothers breast-feeding their newborns for the first six months after birth. Breast milk offers several advantages. It offers protection against diseases in the early stages.
Studies have indicated that breast-feeding an infant is a good source of nutrition. Studies undertaken by AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) in developed countries revealed the negative outcomes of neglecting breast-feeding. The research showed that most mothers in developed countries opted for formula instead of breast-feeding their infants. The report reaffirms earlier studies of benefits of breast-feeding, and the risks that mothers take when using formula. The study shows that infants who are not breast-fed adequately suffer more incidences of diarrhea. They are also prone to suffer from early death syndrome, ear infections, and lower respiratory tract infections. Breast-feeding helps protect infants against obesity and diabetes. The mothers benefit by avoiding ovarian and breast cancer (Owen, p.6, 2005).
Strategies to enhance breast-feeding of infants
Experts in healthcare have formulated strategies to help maximize the habit. The first strategy is maternity care; this practice influences both breast-feeding and childcare. Studies carried out in the US have indicated that most births occur in hospitals. During childbirth, the experience creates a bond between the mother and child; therefore, health care practitioners should support breast-feeding from that emotional viewpoint. The practice should not be stopped until the mother and infant go home. Professional healthcare procedures call for following up. These are follow-ups conducted by Medicare personnel to ensure the breast-feeding habit carries on. This practice has been monitored and evidence of its effectiveness noted. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991 came up with an initiative to create a baby-friendly environment. The initiative BFHI (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative) advocates for birth facilities that offer optimum care for infants during childbirth. The care includes breast-feeding practices that promote health. The initiative identified ten steps carried out, which help improve breast-feeding outcomes. In 2009, BFHI was endorsed by AAP (The American Academy of Pediatrics). The CDC (Center for Disease Control) discovered that approximately 74 % of mothers breast-feed, 33 % of new mothers continue breast-feeding their infants after 3 months, and 14 % completely stop breast-feeding by 6 months.
Effects of breast-feeding neglect
The practice of breast-feeding reduces infections and diseases of an infant. The maternal antibodies prevent effects brought by infectious viruses or agents. Components of breast milk include neutrophils, enzymes, and immunoglobulin that help prevent infections to the infant (Scariati, 1997). When mothers breast-feed exclusively, it gives the infants a greater chance of reducing infections leading to illnesses and death. Infants who are partially breast-fed have a slimmer chance and are prone to infection leading to death. WHO studies have indicated that infants who are exclusively breast-fed during birth have a lower chance of being obese. Therefore, clinics and Medicare facilities have to help push forward the initiative to help prevent obesity, diabetes, and infections leading to death of infants (Chung, p. 1367, 2007).
The chart demonstrates that an infant exclusively breast-fed by the mother for more than six months is less likely to suffer from obesity than an infant fed on formula from birth is.
Early experiences of mothers during childbirth can significantly change their breast-feeding habits. Mothers who lack support from professionals tend not to breast-feed their infants for the required period. The greatest challenge is that of very few professionals being trained enough to offer breast-feeding support to mothers. Mothers who have support during the short stays at the hospital after delivery have shown cooperation with health support staff. This is because the responsibility of breast-feeding, support, and care rests on them. A Cochrane review carried out in 2005 discovered that mothers found breast-feeding support effective and beneficial. The study found that mothers who received professional support had an effect on breast-feeding lasting up to 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics advices mothers to continue normative breast-feeding of their infants for up to at least 12 more months.
In summary, the Affordable care Act has done a lot to help mothers and their infants. It offers them free access to Medicare and facilities during birth, giving them a chance to be healthy. Several organizations that advocate for human health in the world endorse breast-feeding practices (Berwick, 2008, p. 759). Most mothers rely on formula and other baby care products to supplement breast-feeding, which according to pediatric care is wrong. The effects of partial breast-feeding are a leading cause of infectious diseases and infant death.
References
Berwick, D.M, Nolan, T.W, Whittington, J. (2008). The Triple Aim: Care, health, and cost. Health Affairs, 27(3):759-769. Web.
Chung, M. Rama, G. (2007). Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 28(2),168-169.
Owen, C.G., Martin, R. M., Windup, P.H. (2005) Effect of infant feeding on the risk of obesity across the life course. A quantitative review of published evidence, Pediatrics, 115(4):1367-1377.
Scariati, P.D, Grimmer-Strawn L.M, Fein, S.B (1997). A longitudinal analysis of infant morbidity and the extent of breastfeeding in the United States. Pediatrics, 99(6), 1-6.