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Breastfeeding
: Breastmilk - Nature's Ideal First Food
There are plenty of good reasons why breastmilk is considered
baby's ideal first food. Breastfeeding is by far the most natural,
and most healthy way to feed your baby. Aside from promoting maternal
infant bonding, breastmilk offers many other advantages which
include protection against intestinal, ear and other infections.
During the first 4 to 6 months, breastmilk alone can provide virtually
all the nutrients needed to ensure your baby's normal growth and
development. In some cases though, but not all, exclusively breastfed
babies may need to take a vitamin D supplement, depending on the
amount baby's exposure to sunlight. The possible need to use supplements
should be decided on an individual basis with your pediatrician.
Benefits of breastmilk
Breastmilk is made up of a complex composition of important proteins,
fatty acids, sugars, amino acids, iron and many other nutrients
which are tailored to meet your baby's specific and changing needs.
These nutrients are delivered in forms which are easily absorbed
by your baby's delicate digestive system. Furthermore, breastmilk
is always sterile, or free of germs. For these reasons, children
who are breastfed tend to have fewer problems with diarrhea, constipation
and other digestive upsets than children who are fed formulas.
Another major benefit of breastmilk is that it contains antibodies.
Antibodies are substances created by the immune system to fight
off infectious germs such as bacteria and viruses. Antibodies
created in the mother's system are passed through breastmilk into
the baby's system, offering temporary protection against common
infections, including intestinal and ear infections. Breastfeeding
also reduces the incidence of food allergies in later life, as
well as promoting good mouth and jaw development.
Being certain your baby is getting enough nourishment
Breastmilk satisfies both hunger and thirst, so extra water is
usually not needed. A baby fed at the breast controls the quantity
of milk he or she drinks, usually drawing only as much as is needed
and desired. As a result, overfeeding or underfeeding are unlikely
to occur. Nonetheless, it's not uncommon for a breastfeeding mother
to worry about whether her baby is getting enough milk.
One simple way of answering this question is to count the number
of wet diapers. Usually 6 to 8 wet diapers a day is a sign that
your baby is drinking enough. The best way to be sure that your
baby is getting enough milk is by the following the weight gain;
on average, during the first 3 months of life babies gain about
2 lbs, or 1 kilogram, per month. This equals about one ounce per
day. Between the third and sixth months, babies gain about half
that amount during the first 3 months or about half an ounce a
day. In general, babies weigh double their birth weight by about
4 months.
By 6 months of age, though breastmilk is still an excellent source
of nutrition for your baby - it no longer provides the entire
range of nutrients needed for continued growth. Between the fourth
and the sixth month, your baby's diet should begin to include
solid foods that provide the extra calories and nutrients (especially
iron) which breastmilk alone cannot. When taken in combination
with solid foods, breastmilk remains an excellent source of nutrition
for babies for as long as breastfeeding continues.
Colostrum, foremilk and hindmilk
While the content of breastmilk changes over the course of baby's
development, there are essentially 3 types of breastmilk. These
are colostrum, foremilk and hindmilk.
- Colostrum is the yellowish breastmilk that is produced
in the first few days after baby's birth and before normal
lactation begins. Colostrum is especially rich in nutrients
and antibodies, and is the perfect food for a newborn baby.
Even if you have decided to use formula rather than breastmilk,
you may wish to breastfeed your newborn for at least a few
days after birth, so that he or she can receive the antibody
protection and nutritional benefits offered by colostrum.
- Foremilk is the milk which is first drawn during
a feeding. It is generally thin and lower in fat content,
satisfying the baby's thirst and liquid needs.
- Hindmilk is the milk which follows foremilk during
a feeding. It is richer in fat content and is high in calories.
The high fat and calorie content of this milk is important
for your baby's health and continuing growth. Make sure to
let your baby drain one breast before moving on to the other,
to ensure that she receives all the benefits of both foremilk
and hindmilk.
Expressing and storing breastmilk
You may wish to express and store your breastmilk occasionally.
Stored breastmilk can be used by a babysitter when you're unavailable,
or by a partner who wishes to share in feeding your baby. A variety
of breast pumps are available on the market that can express milk
easily and quickly.
Bottles and containers used to store breastmilk should be sterilized
or washed in very hot soapy water to avoid contaminating the milk
with germs. Expressed milk should be refrigerated immediately.
It can store for up to 48 hours in the fridge, or be frozen for
up to three months. However, due to the loss of nutrients it is
advised that the milk be used within two weeks of freezing. Be
sure to label and date containers storing breastmilk, and discard
any milk which has been stored too long.
Frozen breastmilk should be thawed in the refrigerator, and allowed
to warm to room temperature just before serving. Never thaw or
warm breastmilk on the stove, or in the microwave. Excessive heat
can destroy important nutrients in the milk, and can burn your
baby's mouth. Microwaves are particularly dangerous as they heat
unevenly, often giving a false impression of the actual temperature
of the milk.
Alternatives to breastmilk
If you decide not to breastfeed your baby, or you are weaning
your baby from breastmilk, the only acceptable alternative
during your baby's first 9 to 12 months is commercial iron-fortified
formula. Cow's milk is not suitable until your child is at least
9 to 12 months old (for more information on this topic, see Preventing
Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Infancy).
Other Breastfeeding
Topics
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The information provided in this site is
designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to
replace the advice and care of your child's physician, nor is
it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If
you suspect that your child has a medical condition, always
consult a physician.
© Autograph Communications Inc.,
All rights reserved
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