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Cross-Cultural Health Perspectives EssayBreastfeeding practices around the terra firma atomic number 18 vastly different. There are countries who are active promoters of breastfeeding and others who seem to restitution the business less(prenominal) attitude. The diverse approaches to breastfeeding found between and within societies are largely based on cultural preferably than individual differences.For the purposes of this paper, relations between Iran and Australia concerning the act of breastfeeding will be looked at along with ideas of how to improve the gun trigger and eon judge and a discussion of the realises of increasing initial breastfeeding and continuing to do so for the health benefit of the child and mother. Presently, in Iran, breastfeeding is viewed as an openly society norm and it all stems from a religious footing in a rural that believes in the total care of an infant and who is willing to provide the most optimal care possible.It is interesting , that 100 percent of the infirmarys in Iran are in complete agreement and quest the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) as recommended by the terra firma Health Organization (WHO). Mothers are given free opportunities to attend antenatal classes and a lot of time and attention is placed on the initial bonding time as well as the 24 hour rooming in the hospital. Iran has in like manner taken the initiative to standardize their health education that is provided from medical staff to any literature and cooking that is provided to the mother and family.Specifically, mothers are educated on the adverse effects of man-made formulas and supplies that are not skillful to the children, which include the negative long term effects of using such products. Home and follow-up care is besides provided free of charge up to devil years of age where the health professionals reinforce straight breastfeeding, which greatly encourages the mothers to keep going. Working mothers are grante d four months of paid leave that is increasing to sixsome months in the near future. (Zaeeai, Obrien, Fallon, 2007).Australia in contrast, maintains inconsistencies in regards to breastfeeding. It is a country that has chosen not to adopt the World Health Organization program of the BFHI and therefore has an incredibly low rate of 4. 5 percent of the women who breastfeed. Fascinatingly, it is not the norm in Australia to be open about breastfeeding or to regular start and continue for the recommended two year length. The health professional opinions of breastfeeding are also inconsistent and are much different than Irans.They take the stance that breastfeeding provides no more benefit than using artificial means of feeding a child. With the professionals tenuous attitude it is no wonder that the country does not provide accessible and affordable antenatal classes to their mothers. During the hospital stay, alternative means of feeding the coddle are presented to the mother in a ddition to the non encouragement of rooming-in subsequently delivery and the avoidance of skin-to-skin contact with their babies.For the working mother, only 23 percent of the mothers are granted pregnancy leave which on average is a total of eight weeks. (Zaeeai, Obrien, Fallon, 2007). Improving the breast feeding initiation and duration rates for Iran, although they are very good, could be accomplished by increasing the positive feedback to the mothers for each one time they are seen to encourage them to keep it up the great work and remind them of the benefits they are providing their children and themselves.They could also be improved by increasing the media advertisements in communities such as billboards and educating high school and college students about the critical information. (Zaeeai, Obrien, Fallon, 2007). Initiation and duration rates for Australia could be improved by not taking the baby out of the room when the mother wants to rest in the hospital. Instead of en couraging the mother, adopt a hospital policy that all babies will room-in with the mother immediately after(prenominal) birth, because the 60 90 minutes after are the most critical to establishing the bond.Also, not having the alternative formulas available for the mothers when they ask for it. (Murphy Mullaly, 2009). It is a total mind modification that must take place within the medical community as well as in the country to make the change for the better to breastfeed babies. (Zaeeai, Obrien, Fallon, 2007). Developing a BFHI program in Australia would involve an entire country shift of thinking about breastfeeding. It would be a massive educational campaign with statistics, articles and advertisements.Providing consistent antenatal classes that are available to everyone at a minimum or no cost to the mothers along with follow-up care that is included for up to two years. It is grave for Australia and clinicians to get on board with breastfeeding. The adverse effects must b e talked about and collectively the country as medical professionals must come together and agree that the benefits of the man-made formulas are not even close to the long term benefits of a mothers milk. (Zaeeai, Obrien, Fallon, 2007).Australia, Iran and the rest of the world can and are making a difference in a little ones life. It is just a matter of taking on the responsibilities and educating the public on the benefits of breastfeeding and following through. Which in-turn increases the overall initiation and duration rates that make our world a better place to live and work for all and especially our babies References Breastfeeding answers from La Leche League. (Feb, 2007). La Leche League International. Retrieved March 27, 2010 from http//www. llli. org/nb. html. Murphy, S. , Mullally, A..(October, 2009). Breastfeeding lacks medical support. Irish Medical Times, 43(40), 10. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Trade Industry. First-of-Its-Kind class Aims to Reduce Pri mary Barrier to Breastfeeding for Hourly and Lower-Wage Working Mothers. (February, 2009). U. S. Newswire. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. 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. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.