Breastfeeding and Child’s growth. Interpreting Brain Development through a biological and sociocultural context

Year 2020, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 14 - 19, 25.10.2020

Eleni Tympa Athina Charissi Vasiliki Karavida

Abstract

Human brain begins to develop from uterus to postnatal period, affected by
a genetic program in which diet holds a distinguished role. Research evidence
has shown that diet in early life has a significant long-term impact on health
and development. Moreover, food deprivation during early life affects
physiology and brain biochemistry and connects to possible brain disfunction. Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding the infant and the young child,
providing it with an ideal growth and health. Available research evidence proves
positive impacts of breastfeeding to the intelligence index, showing higher rates
for breast fed infants than formula fed infants. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the role of breastfeeding
in child's brain development. The suggested psycho-cultural context of
interpretation highlights a series of symbolic dimensions of breastfeeding along
with socio-cultural implications that interact with meaning-making processes, consequent
practices, relationships and social models.

Keywords

brain development, early years, breastfeeding, psycho-cultural perspective

Supporting Institution

University of Ioannina

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