Essay on Breastfeeding Culture

. What are the key distinctions between breastfeeding practices of Australian and Iranian women? What factors account for these differences? (Your analysis should consider cultural factors and the potential influence of such on the decision to breastfeed/not breastfeed.)

Breastfeeding practices in Australia and Iran are quite different. In this respect, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that breastfeeding practices in Australia focus on the natural needs of children and women are more liberal in regard to breastfeeding to the extent that they can feed their children in public places. At this point, Iranian women are totally different from Australian women. The process of breastfeeding is a sort of rite for them, which is traditionally kept in secret from the public eye. Iranian women follow Islamic traditions and they need the intimate environment, when they remain face to face with their children to feed them. At the same time, sometimes Australian women may refuse from breastfeeding because of their concerns with their physical shape, while for Iranian women to breastfeed or not is beyond a question, they just breastfeed. Such substantial differences between Australian and Iranian women are determined by cultural differences between Australia and Iran. Australian women live in a more democratic and liberal society, whereas Iranian women live in conservative society, where women are not equal to men but hold a special position in the society and they are mothers and wives above all.

2. How might breastfeeding initiation and duration rates be improved within each of these countries? Be sure to consider each country separately.
The breastfeeding initiation and duration rates can increase through the promotion of breastfeeding. The promotion of breastfeeding is particularly important for Australian women, who may be unaware of importance of breastfeeding and who may consider the available nutrition for infants sufficient to replace breastfeeding. In this regard, they should be involved in educational programs and receive promotional information concerning the importance of breastfeeding initiation and duration. As for Iranian woman the promotion may be not as effective as in case of Australian women because breastfeeding is a sort of taboo in Iranian society. In such a situation, health care professionals should work individually with each woman to provide them with detailed information on breastfeeding initiation and duration. Iranian women should receive information from health care professionals.

3. What, if any, are the implications of this study’s findings for increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration among women in the U.S.?
The findings of the study are very important for increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration among women in the US. In fact, the experience of Australian women is similar to that of American women. In this respect, the findings of the study help American health care professionals to develop effective programs to provide American women with the possibility to learn effective ways of breastfeeding initiation and duration. In fact, the analysis of different cultural traditions concerning breastfeeding can help to identify basic strategies which can increase the breastfeeding initiation and duration rate. As a result, American women can increase the breastfeeding initiation and duration.

REFERENCES
Limentani, A. E. (1999, October). The role of ethical principles in health care and the implications for ethical codes. Journal of Medical Ethics 25 (5), 394-399.
Zaeeai, M., Obrien, M.L., & Fallon, A.B. (2007). Creating a breastfeeding culture: A comparison of breastfeeding practises in Australia and Iran. Breastfeeding Review, 15(2), 15-24.