Impacts on Early Emotional Development

            I chose to discuss the challenges and experiences in Haiti because I remember having a conversation with a Haitian woman. She spoke about the Cholera crisis, breastfeeding, education, and lack of hygiene. She was very happy to be in the United States and commented that Americans take the small things for granted. She was grateful for clean water, having a roof over her head, safe food, bathrooms, and resources for breastfeeding mothers.

            The first challenge is poor hygiene and children contracting deadly diseases because of unsanitary conditions. Walthar (2015) states “In areas lacking access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure, children are particularly at risk of waterborne diseases that cause diarrhea and the antibodies by breastmilk can make the difference between life and death” (Walthar, 2015). Due to this challenge, Haitian mother are under a lot of stress to breastfeed because they are worried about the mortality of their children. The unsafe condition has caused about “50 percent” (Walthar, 2015) of children to be exposed to “contaminated water and utensils used to prepare infant formula” (Walthar, 2015). Breastfeeding can be a highly frustrating time in a mother’s life. It is even more stressful when the choice to not breastfeeding could lead to the death of their child. Some mothers have difficulty breastfeeding due to lactation concerns and force the mothers to give their children formula. According to Walthar (2015) “Cholera mostly affects families in communities where access to clean water and sanitation are insufficient and hygiene is poor” (Walthar, 2015).

            The second challenge is a lack of education Marrion (2015) states “Lack of access and the poor quality of education available have been major obstacles to children’s learning” (Marrion, 2015). The Cholera crisis has also negatively influenced school attendance because of “rampant fear of contamination and Cholera” (Marrion, 2015). Unfortunately, the experiences of the Haitians have contributed to negative emotional well-being, physical development, and infant mortality. The children are not receiving adequate education, inappropriate early nutrition, and/or a lack of hygienic environment that promotes healthy development. Emotional well-being has suffered because families have, more than likely, experienced loss of family members due to the Cholera crisis. This topic also causes fear of exposure to contaminated water, contaminated food, and other resources. Physical and cognitive development suffer because the residents and their children are becoming sick. It is hard to concentrate when the families are under the potential concern of death,

            While I was reading the articles on Haitian hardship, I began to realize the many issues that I may be taking for granted. I just stopped breastfeeding my daughter, in January, when my daughter was 13 months. It was hard to breastfeed for 13 months because I had to continue eating specific that produced quality milk, watch what medications that I consumed, and pumped milk when I went to work. I could not imagine feeling that if I didn’t breastfeed that my child may not survive. I think about the women who are having trouble producing enough milk for proper development. It is sad to think, that at no fault of their own, that they are destined to lose their child. Fear of developing Cholera is a real concern.

References

Marrion, M. (2015, January 26). In Haiti, 15 Schools bring better learning to remote areas. Retrieved February 20, 2016, from Unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti_78753.html

Walthar, C. (2015, September 2). In Haiti's Cholera crisis, breastfeeding is the best protection for children. Retrieved February 20, 2016, from Unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti_83065.html