Breast Feeding

If you're a new mother you're probably wondering why is breast feeding so important and what benefits does it have over formula. This article will discuss on the benefits of breast feeding and the current recommendations.

Recommendation

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breast feeding children for at least two years. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately six months and continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for at least one year with few rare exceptions.

Benefits of Breast Feeding

Benefits for Infants

• Improved function in digestive system and decreased Gastrointestinal infections such as vomiting and diarrhea

• Decrease risk of skin condition named atopic dermatitis

• Decreased risk of lung infections, ear infections and better immune syst

em

• Improved IQ later in life

• Some evidence also suggest decreased risk of childhood obesity, certain childhood cancers and some autoimmune conditions such as Diabetes Milletus type 1

Benefits for the Mother

• Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers

• Decreased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease such as Diabetes Milletus type 2 and hypertension

• Less chance of experiencing postpartum depression

• If mother continues to breast feed for at least 6 months maternal weight loss after pregnancy is increased

True Indications to avoid breast feeding

• Infants with a medical condition called Galactosemia

• Mothers who are infected with HIV or Tuberculosis

Do you produce enough breast milk for the baby?

This is the most common fear every mother have that is related to breast feeding.

• It takes up to 3- 5 days for women to produce large quantities of milk. However a new born's stomach is the size of a cherry on day one of birth and this is the reason for frequent feeding in infants.

• The initial product which is called "colostrum" has low fat and carbohydrate, however it is very rich in immunoglobulins to fight infections and nutrients.

• Low fat and carbohydrate content contribute to low calories in the first few days of breast feeding. However the fat and carbohydrate content in breast milk will increase with time.

• Although the quantity of colostrum is low, small stomach size and frequent feeding provides adequate food for your child.

• Having adequate wet and stool diapers and good weight gain can reassure that your child is well hydrated and growing well.

• It is normal for the babies to lose weight in the first week of life, however they start gaining weight by week two. By four months they double their birth weight and by 1 year they triple their birth weight.

Duration of breast feeding

American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breast feeding for 6 months followed by breast feeding complemented with appropriate food for at least 12 months.

Vitamin supplements for breast feeding infants