Tag Archives: baby

Is Breast Feeding Beneficial for Both Mother and Child?

Neonatal Care, New Mothers, , , , , , ,

Breastfeeding

This is a personal lifestyle choice that lots of parents do not wish anyone to dictate, but if experts weigh in, they recommend that breastfeeding is an ideal option as it can be beneficial for both mother and child. Ultimately the decision to breastfeed is up to the new mother and her child. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend that newborns should be breastfed.

Every new parent wants to make the best decision when it comes to an infant’s health, therefore it is necessary to listen to what the doctors are suggesting.

Benefits for the Mother

Breastfeeding can make it easier to lose those stubborn pregnancy pounds. Doctors encourage breastfeeding because it helps lower estrogen levels resulting in reduced risk of ovarian, uterine and breast cancer. It can also lessen postpartum anxiety and depression. Diseases that affect bone health in later ages, like osteoporosis, are less likely to occur in women who breastfeed their infants. Doctors recommend that the newborn should be breastfed during the first six months of its life. Some of the benefits are:

· Less chance of developing breast cancer
· The release of the hormone oxytocin, acts as a natural relaxant for the mother
· Reduced risk of ovarian and uterine cancer
· Lowers the chances of developing a debilitating bone disease, osteoporosis
· A natural means of child spacing
· Promotes mental and emotional health
· Makes postpartum weight loss easier
· Costs less to breastfeed

Benefits for the Baby

Breast milk is the ideal form of nutrition for an infant. It contains the right mix of fats, proteins, and vitamins that a newborn human requires. This natural sustenance can prove to be a much better option than the synthetic formula. Baby formula is not easily digested by infants, whereas the breast milk is easily digested and contains disease-fighting substances. Breast feeding has been shown to boost IQ scores of the child, according to some studies. The long-term benefits include decrease in diabetes risk and obesity later on in life. The mental benefits include a stronger mother-child bond, helping the baby feel more secure and safe. The connectedness make the child more stable and less prone to crying. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop allergies. Infants can develop healthy and natural eating patterns when their mothers breastfeed them, which can lower the chances of developing obesity later on in life.

neonatal

The Benefits of Neonatal Telemedicine

Healthcare, Hospital, Neonatal Care, Telemedicine, , , , , , , , ,

The world faces immense challenges in providing quality medical services to people who live in remote locations and under-developed areas. The costs and manpower involved in setting up good hospitals in these locations is huge and unrealistic.

Doctors and experts have looked to modern communication technologies for a solution to this seemingly impossible and dire issue. Fortunately, the emerging field of telemedicine answers this call. The rapid advancement of technology has made it possible to consider telemedicine as a viable solution to the provision of neonatal care and basic healthcare services to children.

The World Health Organization defines telemedicine as, “The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all healthcare professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information”. 1

The Paradigm Changing Benefits of Telemedicine

● Removes geographical barriers

The use of communication and information technologies bridges the distance between people and the best healthcare, a goal which could hardly have been dreamed of 100 years ago.

● Provides access to expert help to low-trained health workers

Hospitals in remote areas are ill-equipped in terms of neonatal care; not only are the facilities not up to par, the healthcare providers, doctors, nurses, and other staff have poor training and often practice dangerous methods that end up harming the patient. Telemedicine creates unique and low-cost learning opportunities for these workers, allowing them to improve their skills in positively changing their patients’ well-being.

● Enhanced communication can be used to collaborate with experts worldwide.

Combined decision-making regarding diagnosis and condition can become a norm which will lead to better research and greater future innovations.

● Remote daily rounds are possible

Doctors can monitor the neonatal patients on a daily basis and quickly detect any issue before they worsen, this is vital for neonatal patients. Newborn patients are especially at risk of a late or wrong diagnosis which worsens the problem.

● Frequent consultations with experts are possible

Patients can reap the benefits of expert medical care and the doctors treating them will also learn from this experience.

● Direct visual and auditory patient information can be accessed by the doctors

Direct observation reduces the chance of a mistake; doctors don’t have to rely on someone else’s descriptions or reports.

● Makes patient relocation unnecessary

Newborns do not need to be relocated for treatment. If the facilities are adequate then diagnosis is possible remotely and guidance can be provided on a case-to-case basis.

Reference:
1. World Health Organization,. Telemedicine – Opportunities And Developments In Member States. Global Observatory for eHealth, 2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. Global Observatory For Ehealth Series – Volume 2.