Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Three-month-old Shalva Bent is clutched by her mother Jossette Johnson-Bent before the launch of National Breastfeeding Week at the Spanish Town Hospital, St. Catherine, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Mothers who breastfeed their babies for up to six months or more are less likely to to raise children who are psychopaths, according to Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller, director of family health services in the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Lewis-Fuller said breast milk contains all the nutrients that the baby needs.
"There is also the emotional bond between you and your baby... perhaps this is what we need to cut down on the psychopathic behaviour in our country".
Dr. Lewis-Fuller was speaking yesterday at the launch of National Breastfeeding Week, at the Spanish Town Hospital.
She further explained to The Gleaner that studies have shown that maternal deprivation is one of the factors that give rise to deviant behaviours.
The director of health promotion said breastfeeding was an expression of maternal love and, therefore, would promote good mental health and psychological well-being.
"So we would encourage breastfeeding as a part of the social processes that would nurture our next generation and make them softer and gentler ..." she told The Gleaner.
Marsha Woolery, coordinator for the National Infant and Young Child Feeding Programme in the Ministry of Health told the gathering that the average rate of exclusive breastfeeding in 2005 was 32 per cent at three months.
Behaviour Change
"This is very worrying to the ministry and some how we feel that it has to do with behaviour change," said Dr. Lewis-Fuller.
Ms. Woolery noted that the national figure was below the 'World Summit for Children Year 2000' national target of 70 per cent.
Exclusive breastfeeding means that breast milk is the only food the child receives.
Dr. Lewis-Fuller said only between one and two per cent of mothers are not able to breastfeed because of varying reasons. She urged the mothers at the ceremony to breastfeed their babies for the benefit of the child and the society.
Ms. Woolery said there was scientific evidence to prove that there are life-saving and protective benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for mother and baby.
But she stated that commercial pressure, fear of HIV infection, women's increased participation in the labour force and other stresses associated with modernisation, are some of the reasons for the reduction in breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Week is being observed under the theme, 'Code Watch: 25 years Protecting Breastfeeding'.
According to Ms. Woolery, the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes was adopted by the World Assembly because of concerns that inappropriate commercial marketing of infant formula was causing a large number of infant deaths.
Lola Ramocan, early childhood development officer at the United Nations Children's Fund, said a majority of Jamaicans are spending a large part of their salaries on commodities that are inferior to breastfeeding. She noted that statistics from the Health Ministry revealed that breast milk substitutes for a three-month-old was estimated at 90 per cent of the salary of a minimum wage earner.
In his remarks, Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, challenged mothers to continue breastfeeding, noting that 25 years ago, the breastfeeding rate was close to 70 per cent.
"So I don't understand why we are moving backward, we need to move forward with technology," he said.
Disadvantage of formula feeding for mom and child
More diarrhoea and respiratory infections
Persistent diarrhoea
Malnutrition
Vitamin A deficiency
More likely to die
More allergies
Increased risk of some chronic diseases
Obesity
Pregnant sooner
Less intelligent
Increased risk of anaemia and breast cancer
Advantages of Breastfeeding
Saves lives
Prevents diarrhoea
Provides perfect nutrition
Enhances vaccine response
Enhances the baby's immune system
Food security
Protects infant from some diseases
Environmentally-friendly
Improves child health
