Chapters in Books (Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS))

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Browsing Chapters in Books (Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS)) by Author "Martin, Robert D."

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    The fundamental importance of breastfeeding for health and development
    (African Sun Media, 2020) Martin, Robert D.
    How an infant is nourished in early life is central to the DOHaD hypothesis regarding the later onset of chronic non-communicable diseases, especially where feeding practices result in either stunting of growth or excessive weight gain. This chapter reviews the evolutionary history of the origins of breastfeeding and summarises studies evaluating its benefits. Mammals take their name from the Latin word mamma for the teat. This root also gave rise to the term mammary gland, which, along with the associated behaviour of suckling offspring, is a universal feature of all mammals alive today. Human cultural practices over the past 5 000 years or so, notably including the exploitation of milk from other mammals and eventual development of milk formulae, have exerted a major impact on breastfeeding. The greatest effects have occurred in industrialised nations, where many mothers breastfeed for only a few months, if at all, and breastfeeding beyond a year is rare. Because of pervasive cultural influences, it is difficult to establish a ‘natural’ period for human breastfeeding that would include an initial period of exclusive breastfeeding, followed by a phase of supplementary feeding. Information from modern hunting-and-gathering populations and other non-industrialised societies indicate an average total duration of at least two-and-ahalf years, with a wide range of variation extending up to around five years. Whenever tested, the benefits of breastfeeding for infants have been found to show a dose-response relationship, with the greatest benefits shown with breastfeeding for two to three years. Breastfeeding is also beneficial for mothers. There have been recent claims that over-enthusiastic promotion of breastfeeding, given the label ‘activism’ is both unkind and unwarranted. While it is true that women who, for whatever reason, are unable to breastfeed, need support and not bullying, it is both unjustifiable and irresponsible to dismiss the very substantial scientific evidence that now exists for the undoubted benefits of breastfeeding.