Review the Course Project Case Study below. Write a 2-3 page paper that focuses on breastfeeding vs formula feeding and breastfeeding guidelines.
Use ONE recent evidence-based articles to compare and contrast breastfeeding versus formula feeding and in particular discuss what you found in relation to Mrs. G. and her situation. Provide a set of guidelines that might be helpful to Mrs. G. as she “tries again” to breastfeed. Identify how and when it may be “best” for her to move from breastfeeding to formula.
This assignment must have accurate spelling and grammar and use APA Editorial Format for in-text citations and sources.
You have been assigned to provide care and education for Mrs. G.
Case Study
Mrs. G., a twenty year old mother of a 2 year old is pregnant. English is not her primary language. She is recently married (one year) to a man in his early 40s who is not of her culture (She comes from Nigeria). The toddler is not this man’s child. She had difficulty with her first pregnancy; high blood pressure and spotting.
As she goes through her pregnancy she finds that her first trimester is difficult managing her health and the toddler. She is not used to having children and finds the toddler challenging. She also finds that she is having some of the same symptoms as she did during her last pregnancy. She is not comfortable going to an American doctor and tells her husband that she can take care of herself as she did during her last pregnancy. He is not happy about this decision and tells her that she has to go. He takes her to the doctor several times during her pregnancy but is not sure his wife is following the medical instructions being given.
By the end of her pregnancy she has gained more weight than she had anticipated. She could not understand why as she was eating her native foods. The doctor told her that she had high blood pressure. She was not sure what that meant as she felt the same as she did during the first pregnancy.
Labor was painful, long and difficult and while she had a vaginal birth the baby was small and experienced some respiratory distress at birth. She decided to again breastfeed even though she could only do it for a few weeks the last time. She was told that she had a “small supply of milk”.
In the first few weeks of taking care of the newborn, her husband wanted to be a part of the caring process and she was not happy as “men don’t do that”. She also found that with this baby she felt much more tired and had a hard time managing both children. In fact, the toddler became cranky and was aggressive to the newborn, trying to bite and scratch the new baby.
The husband again took her to the doctor after birth and then again for several months. He also insisted that she see a pediatrician for both children. At the doctor’s offices they told her that they had to “assess” the children to be sure they were “normal”. When she was told this, she was frightened.
As a few months passed, she became more lethargic and tired. Two children were more than she could deal with. Sometimes she could barely get out of bed. Yet, she knew that she was trying to do all of what she was told by both doctors and her husband. She really loved her children and respected her husband.
When her newborn was six months old she found out that she was pregnant again. She knew that it would be a mistake to have another child because her husband had just informed her that his two children from another marriage (6 and 12 years old who has asthma) was going to be living with them now and she would need to be taking care of them as well.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother and the baby. It provides the necessary nutrients for the infant’s growth, reduces the risk of some diseases, and promotes bonding between mother and child. Formula feeding, on the other hand, is a viable alternative for mothers who cannot breastfeed or choose not to. In this paper, we will compare and contrast breastfeeding versus formula feeding and provide guidelines that might be helpful to Mrs. G. as she “tries again” to breastfeed. Additionally, we will identify how and when it may be “best” for her to move from breastfeeding to formula.
Answer:
Research indicates that breast milk is the optimal food for infants, providing essential nutrients and antibodies necessary for their growth and development (Stuebe, 2018). Formula, while a good alternative, lacks some of the essential nutrients found in breast milk. For Mrs. G., who had difficulty breastfeeding her first child, it is imperative that she receives the right guidance and support.
A recent study found that the majority of women initiate breastfeeding within hours after giving birth (Hawkins et al., 2017). However, Mrs. G. may not be able to breastfeed immediately due to her previous pregnancy complications. As such, it would be helpful to advise her to try and breastfeed as soon as possible to promote bonding between her and the baby.
To ensure adequate milk supply, Mrs. G. should be encouraged to breastfeed often, ideally every two to three hours (Stuebe, 2018). She should also ensure that she is drinking enough fluids and eating a healthy balanced diet. It is worth noting that breastfeeding can be challenging, especially for mothers who do it for the first time. Thus, Mrs. G. should be advised to seek professional help if she experiences any difficulty breastfeeding or if the baby is not latching on properly.
In case Mrs. G. is unable to breastfeed, formula feeding can be a reasonable alternative. Formula feeding can be started gradually by replacing one breastfeeding session at a time with formula feeding over a week or two (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012). This approach will allow Mrs. G. and the baby to adjust gradually to the new feeding method.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, breastfeeding is the optimal choice for infants, but formula feeding can be a reasonable alternative for mothers who cannot breastfeed. Mrs. G. should be encouraged to breastfeed as soon as possible to promote bonding between her and the baby. It would be helpful if she is advised to breastfeed often to ensure an adequate milk supply, seek professional help if she experiences any difficulty breastfeeding, and to gradually move to formula feeding if necessary.
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827-e841.
Hawkins, S. S., Stern, A. D., Gillman, M. W., & Robison, R. G. (2017). The impact of breastfeeding on maternal and infant health outcomes in the US using national databases. American Journal of Public Health, 107(9), 1460-1468.
Stuebe, A. (2018). The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 11(2), 90-94.
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