Breast-Feeding - Benefits to You and Your Baby

Breast Feeding

By nature's design, breast feeding is the best possible way of meeting your infant's nutritional needs. At the same time, it provides a warm, intimate relationship between you and your child, which is quite  important for his healthy psychological growth. Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It contains all the nutrients a normal child needs to develop and thrive.

Benefits to your baby

Besides offering your infant a natural, complete diet, breast milk also provides a number of other important benefits. Its proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals permits easier digestion with fewer intestinal problems such as diarrhea or constipation. Breast-def babies are less likely to become overweight. There is also less chance that your breast-fed infant will suffer from excessive water loss or other related disorders.

Breast-fed infants are less likely to experience allergic reactions or bacterial infections. In addition, breast milk provides the newborn with many natural immunities, because important antibodies are transmitted from mother to child through the milk.

Breast feeding also affords psychological benefits to the baby by allowing him to experience the close, physical warmth of his mother's body, to take pleasure in the sound of her voice and the sight of her face and, at the same time, to satisfy his sucking needs.

Benefits to you

As a breast feeding mother, you too will benefit by sharing a unique and satisfying relationship with your infant. The physical act of your baby's sucking will relieve the discomfort of your full breast. Breast feeding also helps you regain your figure more quickly, while permitting your uterus to return more rapidly to its normal non-pregnancy state. Furthermore, breast feeding is a convenient, economical means of feeding your child. A supply of milk, warmed to the right temperature, is available whenever your baby is hungry. Additionally, of course, breast feeding saves the time, effort and expense of formula preparation.

Some thoughts about breast feeding

Because breast feeding is unquestionably the best method if feeding your baby, you should talk with your doctor early during pregnancy so that you can develop a comfortable attitude toward it and prepare yourself physically for nursing. You may also want to discuss your decision with your husband, who can lend his full emotional support to your efforts.

 You must take proper care of your breasts and nipples both during and after pregnancy. During the final weeks of pregnancy you can begin to prepare your nipples for nursing by rubbing them once or twice a day with quick strokes using a towel or washcloth. Another helpful exercise involves rolling the nipple between your thumb and forefinger a few minutes each day. To prevent any unnecessary drying of the nipples, you should avoid soaping them while showering. Instead, allow clear water to run over them freely.

In order to breast feed successfully, you should eat correctly. A well balanced diet during your pregnancy, and especially while nursing, is important in order to supply an adequate amount of high quality milk. You will probably have to increase your daily food intake by 500 to 600 calories, paying particular attention to foods high in protein such as meat and eggs, as well as to green and yellow vegetables for vitamins and minerals. You should try to drink at least one pint of milk (approximately 1/2 liter) daily. Other liquids such as water and juices are also important for adequate milk production. 

Unless prescribed by your doctor, drugs of any kind should not be taken during your pregnancy, especially while breast feeding, since they can be transmitted to the baby through your milk. You must also avoid alcohol and cigarettes during this period.

Parenting Guide on Food for the First Year of your Baby

A DAILY FOOD PLAN. In the interest of meeting individual needs, babies' diets should not be rigidly standardized. However, the first year should see a gradual transition to the following broad pattern. This means working toward including in the diet,daily, suitable portions of foods selected from each of the following groups:

Milk group, including cheese and ice cream

Meat group, including beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, eggs (dry beans, peas and nuts as occasional alternates for older children and adults).

Vegetable-Fruit group, including a dark green or deep yellow vegetable (for vitamin A value) and citrus fruit or other good vitamin C source, daily.

Bread-Cereal group, emphasizing the whole grain, enriched or restored varieties.

This daily food plan is a practical one to follow. It's so general, it can be used for persons of all ages, and in accordance with national, regional or social food patterns and individual likes and dislikes. It is a simple, flexible and enjoyable way of consuming an adequate diet without worrying about individual nutrients.

Milk. Traditionally, milk is the principal food of babies and plays a major role in the diets of young children. This food, provided by Nature of young mammals, furnishes a wide variety of important nutrients. Whole milk contains significant amounts of vitamin A, riboflavin and thiamine. It is the best practical source of calcium and a good source of phosphorous. The proteins in milk are present in liberal amounts and are of excellent quality, well utilized in the growth of infants and children. Milk contributes many trace minerals and several of the lesser known vitamins.

It would be difficult to argue against the "rightness" of human milk for human babies. Most mothers who wish to can breast feed but many factors can influence this personal choice. It is well to make a tentative choice between breast and formula feeding well before the baby is born. Either methods gets off to a better start with advance preparation. The final decision for or against breast feeding should rest with the mother and her doctor.

Today. most babies can be expected to thrive on formula feeding if that choice is made. The availability of "clean" milk and improved standards of food handling in homes have made it safe from a sanitary standpoint.

Your baby's doctor should prescribed and approximate schedule for artificial feeding. His directions will be based on your baby's own nutritional and digestive needs. He might prescribe a formula made by mixing definite proportions of evaporated or fresh milk, water and sugar. But he is more likely to specify one of the convenient "premodified" milk formulas on the market today, which for most babies only need diluting with an equal amount of boiled water. Many physicians today prefer the formulas with added iron for routine use.

Despite its nutritional excellence, plain cow's milk doesn't qualify as a "perfect food". Even in the generous quantities usually fed babies, it fails to supply sufficient vitamin D, vitamin C, thiamine and iron. That's why doctors recommend the introduction of "supplementary foods" before a baby's body stores of these nutrients are depleted. 

Helpful Facts on Bottle Feeding with Formula S-26

The best alternative or supplement to your own breast milk is Formula S-26, a complete and modern infant formula. Babies raised on this food will grow, sleep, and thrive as well as breast fed babies.

The protein in Formula S-26 is of the same quality and quantity as that in human milk - 60% lactalbumin and 40% casein. The protein in cow's milk formula and in most canned milk formulas is 80% hard to digest casein and 20% lactalbumin. Formula S-26 is far more digestible, and si less likely to produce milk allergy, colic, "spitting up", diarrhea or constipation. The concentration of minerals in this formula is close to that of mothers milk - 250 mg. per 100cc. This protects Baby's immature kidney, which has only half the concentrating capacity of yours, from the stress of a mineral overload. Thus he is protected from dehydration even during hot weather, when he is likely to lose more water due to perspiration.

Formula S-26 contains lactose, or milk sugar, as its only carbohydrate, just as your own milk does, while most canned or cow's milk formulas require the addition of further carbohydrate. Lactose helps promote development of firm tissues, essential nerve and brain structures, and aids normal bowel function.

The fat in formula S-26 is a digestible, carefully balanced blend of oils, rich in unsaturated fatty acids. This protects Baby from skin rashes, reduces gastrointestinal upsets, and improves vitamin utilization. This formula  also contains the correct quantities of essential vitamins and trace elements needed for normal body functions, eliminating the need for vitamin mineral supplements.

All these features of formula S-26 afford Baby a food which closely resembles mother's milk in its composition, digestibility and nutritional value. In addition formula S-26 is easy to prepare, and comes in convenient, easy to open cans.

Tips for Caring of Baby's Bottles and Nipples

After Baby finishes a feeding, discard any formula left in the bottle and rinse it thoroughly with cold water. Fill the bottle with water and then set it aside until you are ready to scrub it.

Scrub nipples and caps immediately with a hot soapy water, rinse well by forcing water through nipple holes, and store in a covered water filled jar until time to sterilize them.

Sterilizer or large pan with tight fitting cover should be used once a day to boil for at least 15 minutes all utensils used in making Baby's formula. Nipples and rubber caps should be boiled in a separate pan not longer than 3 minutes. Lift them out with tongs and drain on a sterile towel. Then either put them on bottles and cap or keep them in a covered sterile jar.

Important Facts About Breast Feeding

Doctors generally encourage breast feeding because human milk is the ideal food, the natural food intended for human infants.

For the first few days after Baby is born, your breast will secrete a thin, milky fluid called colostrum. During this time Baby will probably oblige by not being too hungry. After this your milk develops and fills the sinuses located behind the areola, the dark colored area around the nipples.

During the first weeks, it is more comfortable to lie down to nurse your baby. You may lie down on your side with baby resting on your arm.

Tips On Storing Breast Milk so it Wont get Spoiled

Breast milk has a longer shelf life than infant formula. Breast milk has live antibodies that fight germs. It's called living milk. It's resistant to spoilage.

Breast milk can stay outside at room temperature for a whole day. In the refrigerator, it stays good for a day. In the freezer, it's good for months. However, if the milk has been touched, meaning your baby has drank from the bottle, then it may spoil more easily.

Make sure your baby sitter or yaya strictly follows storing, thawing, and heating procedures for breastmilk.

Tips for Lactose Intolerant People

Some people have a problem with milk because they have lactose intolerance (also called lactase deficiency).

Lactose intolerance is the inability or decrease ability to digest lactose or milk sugar. This occurs when there is a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. The enzyme breaks down the milk sugar (lactose) into simple forms, so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose eaten, the result (about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose) could include stomach cramps, bloating, painful gas, flatulence, diarrhea and nausea.

What you can do:

• For people with lactose intolerance, experts recommend lactose reduced milk and dairy products available in some supermarkets.

• Experts also suggest experimenting with dairy foods that contain less sugar, including yogurt and cottage cheese. Some people with lactose intolerance are able to digest small amounts of yogurt at a time.

• Some researchers have found that drinking small amounts of milk on a full stomach helps people recondition their digestive systems to accept dairy products. Start slowly with two ounces of milk with meals two to three times a day and gradually increase the amount if there is no discomfort.

• Nutritionists and medical experts suggest you try to eliminate all dairy products for a week, then reintroduce them one at a time. When your symptoms begin, you should have a good idea of how much dairy you can tolerate before you experience discomfort. Some people can tolerate small amounts of lactose without problems, but eating large amounts within a short period can cause uncomfortable symptoms.

Ways to help protect your little one from Food Allergy

Food allergy is an abnormal response of the body's immune system to a food trigger. Because babies have underdeveloped immune and digestive systems, they tend to be prone to food allergies. Reactions to food occur most often in infants and children. Symptoms sometimes do not appear on the skin but develop as colic or even lead to problem with growth.

Identifying allergy causing foods and avoiding exposure is the only way to prevent a reaction. Here are some ways to help:

• Breast feed your child for as long as possible. Exclusive breast feeding of infants for the first 6-12 months of life delays the onset of allergy symptoms by postponing baby's exposure to food triggers. Remember that allergic substance may cross over to breast milk, so take care of your diet.

• Visit the doctor. Seek advice from a pediatrician or a pediatric allergologist (a specialist on children's allergies) to get a specific diagnosis and rule out allergy problems. Your doctor will examine your baby and ask about any family history of food allergies. Your baby may have to undergo specific test, such as allergy skin test, to accurately diagnose potential food triggers.

• Keep a baby food diary. Write down everything your baby eats, from milk to fruits to vegetables. Note patterns in the symptoms (such as colic and hives) your baby had how long after eating these occur. This record will help you tell if food is causing the allergic symptoms.

• Switch to hypoallergenic (HA) formula. If for some reason, a mother can't or has decided not to breast feed, switching to an HA formula is the best alternative. Putting your baby on HA formula will help him, should he be allergic to cow's milk.

• Read food labels or ask questions. When your baby is eating away from home, consider ingredients and food preparation methods carefully. Remember that trigger items, particularly peanuts, eggs and milk, maybe present in the food in small doses.

• Learn how to manage your baby if he consumes a trigger food. Ask the doctor for advice on medicines that you can give during an allergy attack. In severe cases of food allergy, such as anaphylaxis, epinephrine may have to be used.

• Post doctor's instructions in a prominent place. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where your cue card is posted and how to go about managing allergic symptoms.