Factors Affecting Infant Feeding Practices of Mothers

A STUDY ON FACTORS AFFECTING INFANT victuals PRACTICES OF MOTHERS IN THE PHILIPPINESSantos, Samuel Edelson Pingol, Aaron Paul Villanueva, Lovely Ann Bermas, Mhelrick Andrew Brecia, Froyland Miguel Faustino(prenominal) Donald Bula fucking State University BSECE 2A Introduction Every day, as numerous as 4,000 infants and young minorren die worldwide beca eng come along they be non tittyfed. t on the wholey to UNICEF (United Nations Childrens Fund), it is beca apply their suffers be non empowered with adequate cognition well-nigh meet nutriment and do not receive enough motivation and support.Babies, their comes, their families, their community, their environment, even arrive at the economy of the art little in which they live, all(prenominal) benefit from chest plying. This search is by and large ab bulge titmouse victuals its benefits and signifi privyce to infant living and factors that makes impact on white meat feed the practices in the Philippines that in y et rapper nutrition and analyses by organizations concerned in soak uping. The bearn cadenceframe for the group research is the month of July and a turn of events weeks of swaggering. The group decided to use a egress about wellness and wellness since nutrition is celebrated in that month. some other reason that encour growd pursuing the topic is that the world has celebrated its twentieth Annual holding Week last disdainful 1-7, 2012 fashioning the research stopoverly. abstr doing The objective of conducting this con is to evaluate the converge sustenance practices adopted by women in the Philippines, and to show factors touching sequence of excogitation of rapper feeding, age of weaning, and provender give to the coddle other than breast ac spotledge out. It aimed to describe the elements affecting imbibeing and to find out the signifi fundamentt relationship betwixt sucking and wellness of the shaver.The breast feeding practices adopted in terms of conclusion, frequency, exclusiveness of breast feeding and weaning have great impact on complete physical, affable and psycho- favorable heightenment of the nestling. The superiority of breast draw comp atomic number 18d to other types of draw for the nourishment of the human infant offering better health benefits. Early childhood is characterized by rapid harvest-feast, maturation of tissues and re put inling of organs. heartfeeding is the optimal method for feeding infants. each(prenominal) the nutritionary inescapably for most of these children argon provided by breast draw in the right touchstones and point in time. liquid ecstasy breast feeding was technical by 40% of the mothers for first sextuplet month of life. The data obtained were analyzed use percentiles. Although the findings indicated that 34% of the mothers practiced imbibeing and 84% supplemented with complementary foods, only if 40% practiced exclusive breastfeeding. This study emphasizes th e need of breast feeding gentility course of instruction regarding the epoch of exclusive breast feeding. In comparison in the midst of rude and urban countries, studies have name out that mothers from rural aras have high rates of breastfeeding than urban mothers.Another concept of the study is about the factors that affect breastfeeding patterns of mothers. These are demographic, sociostinting and health service factors. Apart from breastfeeding, the research introductory discussed about the loads of benefits people terminate snuff it from breastfeeding and breast draw. in that location are psychological, health and prophylactic benefits one could get by breastfeeding and breast draw. To all infants, specifically Philippine children, should have the shell p ravageective shipway against transmittance and malnutrition through exclusive breastfeeding.I. Breast milk The most qualified food for human newborn infant A. Benefits of Breastfeeding 1. Emotional wellnes s 2. Protective natural action 3. Anti-infective properties of breast milk 4. Psychological profit 5. consequenceive contraceptive method B. rule Feeding II. Practices in the Philippines that contri alonee to worry of breastfeeding A. Duration ( myopic) of breastfeeding in the Philippines B. personnel casualty of beneficial issuances of colostrum due to delay breastfeeding III. Literature round off A. Breastfeeding and Supplementary Feeding 1. Breastfeeding in rural countries . Breastfeeding in essential countries B. WHO Recommendations 1. WHO jurisprudence ( exposition of Terms) 2. DOH (Philippines) C. Factors Influencing period of breastfeeding 1. demographic Factors a. Mothers age b. similarity c. sequent maternalism d. ancestry order of child e. Sex of the child f. dwelling 2. Socioeconomic Factors a. Mothers reading b. Mothers personal credit line c. baffles Education d. Household economic lieu 3. Health Service Factors a. Antenatal treat withdraws b. Plac e of delivery and method of delivery c. Advice from health personnel 4.Conceptual Frame ply IV. Personal Overview and coating Breast milk The most adequate food for human newborn. The benefits of breastfeeding on that point are loads of benefits we send word get from the natural way of big food to babies. It fuck be emotional, physical, psychological and economical. Breastfeeding contribute to emotional health. Babies and mothers who gave have got recently are quite emotional persons. Being sensitive is a natural termination that occurs by and by giving birth and babies are still delicate up to the time they are still crying a helping.According to Gerber 1, from birth up to 6 months of age and beyond, breast milk is still the best milk mothers tramp give to their babies. The best nutrition they can give at the same time having these advantages Preventing allergies and infections by providing natural immunities Speeding up the recovery of the uterus change magnitude ente ric problems for babies and promoting psychological and emotional insurance for both moms and babies. Breastfeeding exe mowes protective action. Breast milk can provide protective action to infants. These are immunities and colostrums.According to Cocabo and Kin 3, through antibodies establish in breast milk, mothers can plug protection from immunization. Breastfeeding naturally promotes proper nutrition for the babies. Breast milk contains infection fighting antibodies from the mother, and breastfed babies are believed to be at a reduced pretend for numerous acute and chromatic infections primaeval in life. The cholesterol confine is in like manner high in human milk and very humbled in shapeulas. Cholesterol promotes brain growth and provides the building blocks of hormones, vitamin D and intestinal bite 4 p. 2. 1 Gerber, Some notes on breastfeeding, Countdget Nine Months to a Perfect saving, vol. 1, no. 1, 2004, pp. 31 3 S. Cocabo and P. Kin, Childcare the first 3 c ourse of studys, Your Health melt down The Family Wealth, Medimarketing, Inc. , Makati, tube Manila, Philippines, 1994, pp. 26 4 Medicine Net, Breastfeeding and formula feeding, Medicine Net, 1996, p. 2 Online. acquirable http//www. medicinenet. com Accessed 18 July 2012 Breast milk is best for your despoil and the earlier he lead offs breastfeeding, the better. It has all the right nutrients at the right amounts.It costs energy and helps you get back in shape. The first week after delivery, your breasts get out get under ones skin colostrum a thick, yellowish milk that is high in protein but very low in fat than actual breast milk. It in like manner contains antibodies 5 p. 23. And according to Paraz 8, high-quality human capital may depend on mothers driveway to breast feed their children. Health expenditures are lessened through breastfeeding, resulting to an nonionic health system. Breast milk contains anti-infective properties. Aside from immunity, breastfeeding has contents that can generate strong relationship between mother and child.Another one is that it can avoid pre- menopausal breast cancer. If a multinational comp any(prenominal) develop a product that was a nutritionally balanced and delicious food, a wonder drug that both prevented and treated disease, cost almost nothing to produce and could be delivered in quantities controlled by the consumers needs, the very announcement of their find would send their shares rocketing to the top of the stock market. Women have been producing such miraculous substance, breast milk, since the beginning of human existence 7 p. 1. Breast milk gives psychological profit.Apart from emotions, the way mothers think, especially moms who gave birth on their first child, are vulnerable. They are experiencing adjustments on their lifestyle and even on their minds. The website Psychology nowadays 2 enjoins that, the link between breastfeeding and anxiety decrease could serve as a source of sanity-prese rver. The attention of nourishing of a child can come to the fore remarkable in the best of situations. If a first-hand mothers reach system where to boost in full-throttle every mend the child cries or spits-up, motherhood can seem even much psychologically bear on than it is. 2 PT Staff, The benefits of breastfeeding, Psychology Today, 01 January 1996 Online. for sale http//www. psychologytoday. com/articles/199601/the-benefits-breast-feeding Accessed 18 July 2012 5 Wyeth, Breast milk The angel first food, Pampering thwart with electric charge Your Baby Care Guide, Wyeth Nutrition, pp. 23, pp. 25 7 The Quote Garden, Breastfeeding, 1998, p. 1 Online Available http//www. quotegarden. com/breastfeeding. hypertext markup language Accessed 18 July 2012 8 Carisa Paraz, Breastfeeding can cut infant deaths, medical Observer Passing Problem, no. , gilded 2007, pp. 8 Breastfeeding is an effective contraceptive. Parents usually wait for a year or to a greater extent before making an other child. But they cannot get exempt of having coital activities with one another hence, they do family planning and make use of contraceptives. 1 form of a natural contraceptive is breastfeeding. The simplest way of contraception is Lactational Amenorrhea Method. It doesnt require counting or any contraceptive method. For it to be successful, Epigee 6 suggests that breastfeeding should be ASAP (as soon as possible), frequent, uninterrupted and exclusive. As your baby suckles, nerve impulses travel through your body and are receive by your brain. This signal the production of a hormone called prolactin, which do to subordinate both FsH (Follicle stimulating Hormone) and GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone). As a result, ovulation does not occur and menstruation stops, making it almost possible to commence meaning(a) 6. Formula feeding There are cases that mothers are advised not to breastfeed. It could be a medical or a personal reason. However, in that location is an o ption for mothers that they can use if ever breast milk is not offered. Based on Wyeth Nutrition 5 p. 5, prepared milk products are skinny replacement for breast milk. A paediatrician will suggest formulas that will suit for baby. These formulas have nutrients that are besides found in breast milk. Conventional types of milk products are not advisable because it may blend in to indigestion. Another thing is that those products have low iron content, not substantially aid curing IDA, and is lacking vitamin C, D and E. Practices in the Philippines that contribute to problem of breastfeeding. Across East Asia, mothers are turning away from breastfeeding in coarse numbers, regardless of the well-attested health risks to their babies.Filipino mothers are not mentally lacking(predicate) but galore(postnominal) are quite unsuspicious consumers and susceptible to the grow and sophisticated marketing techniques deployed by the milk powder companies. Despite of the primal beneficial effects of breastfeeding, both relative incidence and epoch have been alter in most exploitation countries of the world, not the case in the Philippines. From 14. 5 months in 1963 67, the average epoch of breast-feeding was declining to 12. 1 months during 1978 82. These decreasing rates drastically affect families having low income and inadequate child nutrition 10.Paraz 8 said, Non-violation of the world(prenominal) mandate of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes adopted by WHO in 1981 will initiate sufficiency on breastfeeding recommendations among mothers and families. Duration ( laconic) of breastfeeding in the Philippines. During 1997, the Philippines demonstrated only 10 percent of infants that were never breastfed at birth. The proportion of never breastfed infant was comparatively higher(prenominal) in 1983, which has an increase of 10 percent in rural and 27 percent in urban areas.Breastfeeding discrepancies between urban and rural, marked 34 percent of never b reastfed infants, were found in Manila 10. Breastfeeding duration is short though it is wide exercised and culturally established in the Philippines. No to a greater extent than 14 percent of mothers keep on breastfeeding up to 2 years. 8 Carisa Paraz, Breastfeeding can cut infant deaths, Medical Observer Passing Problem, no. 7, supercilious 2007, pp. 8 Deprivation of beneficial effects of colostrum due to delayed breastfeeding. Filipino women mildewd by cultural norms and beliefs often think that colostrum is a dirty milk and should be eliminated.They delay breastfeeding several days after birth. Benefits of colostrum are consequently deprived. Practice of initiating supplements and non- alimental liquids at an early age is a more serious problem. This supplementary feeding may choke off diet for infants because of unfamiliar chemicals present in the food. It further reduces contraceptive effects for mothers. Male infants in the Philippines are completely breastfed for a shorter duration compared to many Asian countries. Boys are supplemented, earlier than girls to meet the increasing necessities for growth.Increased diarrhoeic rates are caused mainly by this kind of supplementation among antheral infants. Moreover, boys receive more starchy staples while girls consume larger amount of green leafy vegetables. In effect, girls are much believably addicted to malnutrition than boys. They have more serious eye damage from Vitamin A deficiency. 10 every(prenominal) mentioned statements are considered as contributors to breastfeeding problems in the Philippines. For child survival, breastfeeding period should be habituated priority. For benefits of both mother and child, primary winding factors in feeding infants should be recognized. umteen studies showed that breastfeeding manifests child health and well-being, including child survival and child spacing. Thus, it is grand to do and to be updated about the current breastfeeding practices in the Philip pines. Likewise, analysis of factors affecting short breastfeeding period should be dealt with. Literature Review In this theatrical role, the study make by experts regarding matters affecting breastfeeding and infant feeding will be assessed. It is expect that the data created by prior tests provide a framework for a review that follows. Breastfeeding and supplementary feedingWHO 9 states that, babies must be completely breastfed for six months of age to attain the primary using and sufficient nutrition grave for lifetime wellness. However, dietary necessities for infants are increasing as they grow, they should be also precondition complementary or supplementary foods but breastfeeding is still ongoing until two or more years. As babies grow into young children, their nutritional needs change quickly. At around six months, breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet a babys energy and nutrition requirements.The baby is also at a stage of study where he/she can let dow n to swallow non-liquid food. The gateway of appropriate and nutritious complementary food to babies from this age is extremely important as it plays a crucial role in the childs physical and cognitive development13. From about 6 months of age, breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to cover a babys nutritional requirements. He or she can also start to swallow non-liquid complementary foods at this stage, helping to support growth, brain development and the building of natural defenses.The period of weaning is critical for the future development and growth of infants. Breastfeeding in develop countries vs. developing (rural) countries. In urban countries, as Kyi 10 studied, duration of breastfeeding is reduced and supplemental foods are introduced early. It is because of 9 WHO, Exclusive breastfeeding, being Health Oraganization, 15 January 2011 Online. Available http//www. who. int Accesed 19 July 2012 13 Nestle, Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding, Nestle, 2008. Online A vailable http//www. babymilk. nestle. om/complementary-feeding Accessed 28 July 2012 the mothers occupation, which is self-contradictory with extended breastfeeding. Also, in these areas, availability of breast milk reservations is sufficient making them to shift from breast to bottle feeding. On the other hand, in developing countries, breastfeeding is done until eight to twelve months due to unavailability of milk substitute and scarcity. Supplementary foods are deferred causing malnutrition. Table 3. 1- Percentage (%) of children (2003-2008) who are landed estate exclusively breastfed breastfeedingwith complementary feeding till breastfed(extended) 0-5 months 6-9 months 12-15 months 20-24 months Afghanistan - 29 92 54 Bangladesh 43 74 95 91 Brazil 40 70 50 25 Cambodia 60 82 90 54 china - 32 43 15 Ethiopia 49 54 94 88 India 46 57 88 77 Indonesia 32 75 80 50 North Korea 65 31 67 37 Laos 26 70 82 48 Malaysia 29 - - 12 Mexico 38 36 32 21 Myanmar 15 66 85 67 Pakistan 37 36 79 55 P hilippines 34 58 58 34 Qatar 12 48 32 21 Saudi Arabia 31 60 59 30 Sri Lanka 76 86 92 83 Thailand 5 43 32 19Turkey 40 71 58 26 United Arab Emirates 34 52 50 29 Vietnam 17 70 78 23 Zimbabwe 22 79 87 40 Above is a table containing statistics of children from selected developing countries who were breastfed, exclusively, with complementary foods and extended breastfeeding by UNICEF 16. Countries Australia, France, Italy, Spain United Kingdom and United States were not included since they are 16 UNICEF, Statistics about breastfeeding, UNICEF, 2009. PDF Available http//www. childinfo. org Accessed 28/ 7 /12 considered developed countries.Also Asian countries, also known as Four Asian Tigers or Asian Dragons, Hong Kong, Japan, capital of Singapore and Taiwan, were excluded as they have graduated from being a developing country as declared by IMF (International Monetary Fund) 14 . Bangladesh and Ethiopia, countries from Asia and Africa respectively, and listed as least developed countries b y the United Nations 14, has the higher percentage of breastfeeding rate compared to Malaysia and Thailand, considered the more developed countries, gaining lower rates with regards to the list. Breast feeding strengthens the economy by adding importantly to the national food supply. The economic value of mothers milk production is large, worthy billions of dollars even in small countries. 8 p. 8 para. 7 WHO Recommendations The World Health cheek (WHO) is the agency that supports and evaluates matters regarding nutrition, especially breastfeeding. on with UNICEF (United Nations Childrens Fund), powered by the United Nations, their primary concern is child health and nutrition.For mothers to be able to start and allege breastfeeding for six months, UNICEF and WHO 9 suggest that breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour of life, exclusive, on demand, and bottles or others should be avoided. WHO recommends mothers worldwide to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the childs first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, they should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond. Globally less than forty-percent (40%) of infants fewer than six months of age are exclusively breasted. Adequate breast feeding support for children, mothers and families could save many young lives 9. 14 Wiki, Developing Countries, Wikipedia. org, 28 July 2012 Online. Available http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Developing_country Accessed 29 July 2012 8 Carisa Paraz, Breastfeeding can cut infant deaths, Medical Observer Passing Problem, no. 7, August 2007, pp. 8 9 WHO, Exclusive breastfeeding, World Health Oraganization, 15 January 2011 Online. Available http//www. who. int Accesed 19 July 2012Definition of terms Based on WHO autograph (International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes) Breast-milk substitute- means any food being marketed or other presented as a parti al or total replacement for breast milk, whether or not suitable for that purpose 17 p. 8. Complementary food- means any food whether manufactured or locally prepared, suitable as a complement to breast milk or to infant formula, when either become insufficient to satisfy the nutritional requirements of the infant. Such food is also ordinarily called weaning food or breast-milk supplement 17 p. 8.Infant formula- means a breast-milk substitute formulated industrially in accordance with applicable codex Alimentarius standards, to satisfy the public nutritional requirements of infants up to between quartet and six months of age, and adapted to their physiological characteristics 17 p. 9 . Exclusive Breastfeeding- as Kathy Sue 12 said, it means, setting off other foods for the infant, including water, the breast milk is the only food to be in taken by the child. The Philippines incision of Health (DOH). Aside from WHO, the Department of Health is the main institution that is impos ing activities and information egarding health and nutrition for Filipino mothers and infants particularly in breastfeeding. In response to the 1981 International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes by the World Health governing body (WHO), the Philippines Department of Health strongly advocates breastfeeding for nursing mothers instead of using breast milk substitutes. Republic Act 7600, known as The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, provides incentives to all government and private health institutions in the Philippines that support rooming-in and breastfeeding.The Act provides that newborn infants with normal deliveries be put to the mothers breast like a shot after birth, and roomed-in within 30 minutes infants delivered by caesarean section should be roomed-in and breastfed within 3 to 4 hours after delivery15. 17 WHO and Nestle, International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, World Health make-up Geneva, 1981 PDF Available http//www. babymilk. n estle. com/who-code-compliance and http//www. who. int Accessed 28 July 2012 12 Sue Ann Kendall and Kathy Dettwyler, Exclusive breastfeeding, Kathy Dettwyler, 3 August 1995. Online Available http//www. kathydettwyler. org/detexclusive. html Accessed 25 July 2012 15 NSO Manila and ICF Macro, Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey 2008, National Statistics built in bed Manila, Philippines and ICF Macro Calverton, Maryland, USA, December 2009, Chapter 11. EBook. Available Measure DHS, http//www. measuredhs. com/publications Accessed 29 July 2012 Factors Influencing duration of breastfeeding Demographic FactorsMaternal age Many researchers found that old(a) women tend to breast feed longer. It is likely that older women have more experience in infant feeding than younger women. They may know the benefits of breast-feeding by their own experience and as a result, they are more likely to breastfeed longer. A study 10 found that older women are more likely to continue breast- feeding beyond 18 months than younger women in rural. space-reflection symmetry Parity of mother has earthshaking effect on breast-feeding duration, usually women with higher parity breastfeed their children for longer duration.It is most likely that women with higher parity are usually older, less educate and less likely to involve in formal employment domain. Also, women with many children are more likely to be from rural areas and follow the traditional lifestyles. Therefore, they can breastfeed longer, which is a normal phenomenon in rural areas. However, studies 10 found out that it could be depending on the setting. They found out that the tradition is a key in the duration of breastfeeding when it comes to parity. blood order of the child Some researchers found the positive relationship between birth order of the child and duration of breast-feeding. The higher the birth order of the child is, the longer is the duration of breast-feeding. It is because children of highe r birth order are more likely to be borne by older mothers, who are less likely to engage in employment sector and can breastfeed them longer. Another reason may be that these mothers may have older children who help them in business firm work, so they have more time to breastfeed their babies.This is the uncouth pattern in many societies. Sex of the child It is one of the important factors influencing duration of breast-feeding. In some countries, male children are breastfed for longer period than female children due to son preference by cultural or religious reason. It is a common phenomenon in China, some South Asian countries and also in some Arab countries. A study 10 says that, in China of 4,084 ever-married women under age 50 in Shaanxi found that male children are breastfed longer than female children.On the other hand, reversal phenomenon is seen in some countries. Male children are fully breastfed for a shorter period than female children in the Philippines. Mothers supp lement boys earlier to meet their increasing needs for growth than to girls or because of sex preferences that favor the provision of supplements to boys rather than to girls. Subsequent pregnancy Researchers found the association between duration of breast-feeding and incidental pregnancy of mothers. Generally, mothers discontinue breast-feeding as soon as they know that they are pregnant.It is because of a common belief that breast milk of pregnant women can rot and cause disease in the child. Similar pattern is found out based on the study 10 in Cebu, Philippines. Strongest determinant of breast-feeding duration is the mothers perception of being pregnant. Most women who become pregnant while lactating stop breast-feeding before the end of the first trimester because they often say that pregnancy is associated with sour milk. Residence Many researchers found that duration of breast-feeding varies markedly between urban and rural mothers.Although in that location is no pick out reason why rural women breastfeed more and longer duration than urban women, some suggested that changing lifestyles in urban areas are not congruous with breastfeeding. This finding was supported by Kyi 10, that in the Philippines, during the period 1973-88, women who breastfed shortest duration lived in Manila City. This common phenomenon is the result of urbanization and changing social system in many parts of the world. Usually, family members can encourage women to breastfeed especially in extended families. Such families are more popular in rural areas.It is one of the reasons why rural women breastfeed more and longer than urban women. Along with modernization, women become more enlightened and take part in employment sector, which is usually incompatible with prolonged duration of breast-feeding. Moreover, utilization of modern maternity care services is common among educated women especially in urban areas, which less encourage women to breast feed for long period. These factors together with other factors contribute to marked difference in the duration of breast-feeding according to urban-rural differential.Socioeconomic Factors Mothers Education Effect of maternal learning on duration of breastfeeding varies in different societies. Along with modernization, well-educated women tend to breastfeed for a shorter period especially in urban areas. It may be that as women become more educated, they are more likely to involve in formal employment, which is not compatible for longer duration of breast-feeding. However, the reverse pattern is seen in some developed countries since well educated women are more likely to breastfeed their babies and for a longer period.The possible explanation is that as women become more educated they become more aware of advantages of breast-feeding and thus they breastfeed their babies longer. A research 10 done in the Philippines found that women with higher education are more likely to breastfeed for a short time. The result is based on a study of 2,622 mothers in both urban and rural communities of Cebu City. Also, that passing educated mothers from families with highest income or asset categories are least likely to breastfeed and they do so for a short period.Mothers Occupation The work status of women causes a major difference in the duration of breast-feeding since it requires leaving the infant at home during running(a) hours. Therefore, duration of breast-feeding is shorter among working mothers. In addition, type and pattern of job of mothers also influence the duration of breast-feeding in different societies. Location of work or distance of work from home, type of work, the other alternative available for child care and the income derived from the work all seem to be important.For mothers who work as suggested by WHO 9, time and place are the key things that affect the duration of breastfeeding. There is a necessity of time and place for them to continue breastfeeding. However, soluti ons like maternity leave, part-time work arrangements, breastfeeding breaks, etc. can help them going on with breastfeeding. Fathers Education Like other factors, fathers education can also affect duration of breast-feeding. Usually, well- educated men can get a good job and as a result, they can earn sufficient income. Also, better-educated man tends to marry better-educated women.If both of them are employed, they can earn more income for the family. As their income increases, they can purchase household items such as refrigerator, gas or kerosene stove, which favors the use of breast milk substitutes. As such, it will lead to shorter duration of breast-feeding. Fathers education may also have positive effect on breastfeeding. It is because as fathers are well educated, they have more access to the messages from the health sector or from the mass media. As they understand the benefits of breastfeeding, they will encourage their spouses to breastfeed longer.The research 10 found o ut that there is an inverse relationship between fathers education and duration of breast feeding. Longer duration of breastfeeding is seen among children whose fathers are with no schooling or less schooling. Household stinting Status In countries like Bangladesh, Mexico, Philippines and Vietnam, the relationship between household economic status and breastfeeding is inversed. Upper class babies are less likely to be breastfed than those of others 10. 10 Aye Kyi Kyi, Factors Affecting Breastfeeding in the Philippines An Analysis of 1998 NDHS Data, M. A.Thesis, mental faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahindol University, Myanmar, 2000. 9 WHO, Exclusive breastfeeding, World Health Oraganization, 15 January 2011 Online. Available http//www. who. int Accesed 19 July 2012 Health Service Factors In most developing countries, lower rates of breastfeeding and shorter duration are associated with health care services. Breastfeeding rates are decreasing because health services are not receiving the support they need. 8 p. 8 Ante natal Care Visits During these periods, the attitudes and beliefs of the health professionals influence the womens own knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding.The more the pregnant women visit her ob-gyne, the more knowledge she can receive. It will lead to successful initiation of breastfeeding and continuation for the period advised by the health personnel. Place and mode of delivery Utilization of health care services has an important effect on duration of breastfeeding. Practice of health workers at different health facilities can influence the womens decision to breastfeed. On the other hand, the form of delivery can affect the duration of breastfeeding. Ireland 11 said that in normal delivery, women are more likely to breastfeed than those of via caesarean section.Healing figure out or the condition of the baby could be the two main factors given that women cannot choose their mode of delivery. Advice from health personnel Duration of breastfeeding also depends on whether the woman receive advice on breastfeeding from health worker or not. In the Philippines, as researched by Kyi 10, there is no statistically significant effect of breastfeeding promotional messages on the intention and duration of breastfeeding. Conceptual material The implicit in(p) concept of this study is that duration of breast-feeding can be affected by demographic, socioeconomic and health service factors.Among many demographic factors age of mother, parity, subsequent pregnancy, sex of child, birth order of child and residence (urban / rural) are fancied as important factors influencing duration of breast-feeding. Out of many socioeconomic factors, mothers education, occupation, fathers education and economic level of household are regarded as major 8 Carisa Paraz, Breastfeeding can cut infant deaths, Medical Observer Passing Problem, no. 7, August 2007, pp. 8 11 Jae Ireland, Factors affecting breastfeeding mothers, Livestrong, 15 July 2011. Online. Available http//www. ivestrong. com/article/493114-factors-affecting-breastfeeing-mothers Accessed 18 July 2012 10 Aye Kyi Kyi, Factors Affecting Breastfeeding in the Philippines An Analysis of 1998 NDHS Data, M. A. Thesis, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahindol University, Myanmar, 2000. determinants of duration of breast-feeding. Among various health service factors, 3 factors are considered important for duration of breast-feeding. There are number of antenatal care visits, place and mode of delivery and whether the woman had received an advice on breast-feeding during the post-partum period or not.This conceptual framework is presented in the figure below. Independent variantsCategoryDependent Variable Mothers Age Parity Subsequent Pregnancy Birth Order of the Child Demographic Factor Sex of the Child Residence Mothers Occupation Duration of Breastfeeding Mothers Education Fathers Education Socioeconomic Factor Household economic Status Ante natal Care Visits Plac e and Mode of Delivery Health Service Factor Advice from Health Worker Fig. 3. 1- Conceptual Framework Factors Influencing Duration of Breastfeeding The most valuable thing mothers can give their babies during early years is the milk obtained from breastfeeding.This means of feeding infants is the earliest known form. It is widely used since the first human had existed. Until the present time, breastfeeding continues to promote many helpful effects for people in diverged societies. Breast milk is the most suitable food for human newborn and the safest way of feeding infants for the first four to six months of life8. According to studies, it gives perfect nutrition for babies and builds the foundation for their sun-loving psychosocial progress. Human milk is the milk made specifically for human infants. It is perpetually natural as it is.Because of this exceptional reason, benefit earners involve not only the infants but as well their mothers, their families, their community, thei r environment and even the economy in which they live The researchers observed several studies that revealed many advantages of breastfeeding. It is recognized as the best nutrient for infants natural contraceptive for mothers for about 6 months post-partum preventive action for mothers against breast and ovarian cancers and provision of bonding between mother and child. Breastfeeding is not just a matter of supplying better milk.Of course, the increased hazard for parent-child bonding offered by breastfeeding is a widely known benefit of nursing. One of the most important advantages of breastfeeding is that the mother is present. This is natures plan for keeping mother and child close, providing the connection and reassurance the child needs so primally. Breastfeeding, beyond all of its many physical benefits, has the built-in bonus of requiring the mothers close presence. In addition to its nutritive value, breast milk also has protective action against common infections.The mil k secreted called colostrums contains anti-infective property which can prevent the newborn from diarrhea and pneumonia. If babies are belike prevented from those diseases, they will have a stronger immune system. The protective action of breast milk is very important for the child wellness. In the Philippines, to be particular, crank weather affects the spread rate of bacteria. As a result, infants may be largely exposed to common infections. Malnutrition plays a huge role in child mortality because the immune systems of these children are less resistant to common childhood diseases.This is why a common cold or bout of diarrhea can kill a malnourished child. By exactly ensuring exclusive breast feeding for infants, malnutrition is somehow addressed. Aside from its direct effects on the health and well-being of babies, breast feeding has a profound impact on the economy. It strengthens the economy by adding significantly to the national food supply. The economic value of mothers milk production is large, worth billions of dollars even in small countries like Philippines. It also reduces future burdens on the health system.Exclusive breast feeding is giving infants is giving infants with only breast milk until 4 to 6 months of age. It greatly matters since it is attributed with almost complete protection against cholera and diarrhea. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that all infants should be exclusively breastfed and begin to receive supplementary foods between fourth to sixth months. This means that feeding infants is not just to breastfeed them. It is to give them the proper nutrition through exclusive breastfeeding. With the right duration and process, organized health system is assured. both(prenominal) too short and too long duration of breast feeding is not appropriate for child nutrition. The Philippines showed short duration of breast feeding cases according to the researchers study. Despite of the beneficial effects derived from breast feeding, both incidence and duration have been changing. This is a serious problem. When mothers shortly breastfeed, their babies tends to receive exceptional infection-fighting antibodies. Beneficial effects of colostrum are likewise deprived. It is necessary for mothers to know what contributes to problem of breast feeding practices in the Philippines.Because of traditions and customs in the Philippines, a belief passed over generations is often conceptualized. Filipino women believe that colostrum should be discarded because it is dirty milk. This common misconception about the colostrum must be rejected. In this case, mothers must also learn the current breast feeding practices to be informed and updated. Support for breast feeding must go beyond the hospital, and involve communities, work-places, local governments, workers unions, mass organizations and consumer associations, in addition to the already very acute nongovernment organizations.Mothers effort is worth the h ealth of their children. Health services should have support coming from the government. Breastfeeding period depends on whether the woman receives counseling on breast feeding from health workers or not. A health worker may influence a lot of mothers and encourage them to breastfeed exclusively. However in the Philippines, there is no significant effect of breast feeding promotional messages on the purpose and period of breast feeding. Furthermore, mothers breastfeed their babies for a dramatically shorter period if they were told to feed formula.As infant-formula sales increase, the number of breastfeeding mothers goes down. Local infant- formula companies spend billions of dollars a year to endorse their products. This is in contrast to poorly funded public health systems that proceed to provide health workers with the skills and knowledge needed to promote breast feeding. Filipino mothers must be wise consumers and be aware of the marketing techniques to be considered on buying milk powder formulas. For wide application, the researchers found that breast feeding can be a solution to the rapid growth of population in the country.If mothers fully breastfeed longer than the old tradition, there is a delay for next pregnancy eve if she does not use any contraceptive method. Breastfeeding can be an instant and effective contraception. Considering all benefits offered by breast feeding, the group concluded that all infants, specifically Filipino children, should undergo exclusive breast feeding. References 1 Gerber, Some notes on breastfeeding, Countdown Nine Months to a Perfect Delivery, 2004, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 31 2 PT Staff, The Benefits of Breastfeeding, Psychology Today, 01 January 1996 Online.Available http//www. psychologytoday. com/articles/199601/the-benefits-breast-feeding Accessed 18 July 2012 3 S. Cocabo and P. Kin, Childcare the first 3 years, Your Health Guide The Family Wealth, Medimarketing, Inc. , Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1994, pp. 26 4 Medicine Net, Breastfeeding and formula feeding, Medicine Net, 1996, p. 2 Online. Available http//www. medicinenet. com Accessed 18 July 2012 5 Wyeth, Breast milk The Ideal First Food, Pampering Baby with Care Your Baby Care Guide, Wyeth Nutrition, pp. 23, pp. 25 6 Epigee,ContraceptiveBenefitsofBreastfeeding,Epigee,2012. Online. Available http//www. epigee. org/fetal/contraception. html Accessed 19 July 2012 7 The Quote Garden, Breastfeeding, 1998, p. 1 Online Available http//www. quotegarden. com/breastfeeding. html Accessed 18 July 2012 8 Carisa Paraz, Breastfeeding can cut infant deaths, Medical Observer Passing Problem, no. 7, August 2007, pp. 8 9 WHO, Exclusive breastfeeding, World Health Oraganization, 15 January 2011 Online. Available http//www. who. nt Accesed 19 July 2012 10 Aye Kyi Kyi, Factors Affecting Breastfeeding in the Philippines An Analysis of 1998 NDHS Data, M. A. Thesis, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahindol University, Myanmar, 2000. 11 Jae Ireland, Factors a ffecting breastfeeding mothers, Livestrong, 15 July 2011. Online. Availablehttp//www. livestrong. com/article/493114-factors-affecting-breastfeeing- mothers Accessed 18 July 2012 12 Sue Ann Kendall and Kathy Dettwyler, Exclusive breastfeeding, Kathy Dettwyler, 3 August 1995. Online Available http//www. kathydettwyler. org/detexclusive. tml Accessed 25 July 2012 13 Nestle, Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding, Nestle, 2008. Online Available http//www. babymilk. nestle. com/complementary-feeding Accessed 28 July 2012 14 Wiki,DevelopingCountries,Wikipedia. org,28July2012Online Available http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Developing_country Accessed 29 July 2012 15 NSO Manila and ICF Macro, Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey 2008, National Statistics procedure Manila, Philippines and ICF Macro Calverton, Maryland, USA, December 2009, Chapter 11. EBook. Available Measure DHS, http//www. measuredhs. com/publications Accessed 29 July 2012 16 UNICEF, Statistics about breastfe eding, UNICEF, 2009. PDF Available UNICEF, http//www. childinfo. org Accessed 28 July 2012 17 WHO and Nestle, International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, World Health Organization Geneva, 1981 PDF Availablehttp//www. babymilk. nestle. com and http//www. who. int Accessed 28 July 2012