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Benefits of Breastfeeding
Guidelines for Breastfeeding
Weaning - 6 months onwards

 
 

Breast Milk: Your Baby's Defense

Breastfeeding the baby is by far the most natural, doctor recommended, ideal and best food for your baby!

From time immemorial, mothers have told their daughters to breast feed as it is a feeling that is both sacred and magical. When a woman feeds her baby, they bond for the first time after the child birth. Unfortunately not all women are able to breast feed their children in spite of knowing the benefits of breast feeding, because of work, other obligations or reasons, but also because they feel that there are other options that are 'close enough' to breast feeding.

Breast milk is perfectly designed to meet every need of your baby and it has very unique properties that cannot be copied by any formula.

Which formula boasts of being safe, hygienic, and available to the infant at the correct temperature. It is also constantly changing in its composition to meet the growing needs of the baby. It has the exact combination of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars needed for the human infant at various stages of her or his growth.


Benefits of breastfeeding

For the baby

1. Complete food: Meets the nutritional requirements of the infant fully in the first few months of life.
2. Aids digestion: Since breast milk has a natural laxative effect, infants who breastfeed will rarely become constipated; easily digested and utilized by both normal and premature babies.. The stools of breastfed babies are mild-smelling.
3. Reduces infection: Contains antimicrobial factors that provide protection against diarrhoeal diseases in the first months of life. Nursing for at least one year has been shown to reduce stomach infections as it is naturally designed for your baby’s sensitive digestive system. Breast milk also reduces the chance of ear infections, allergies and respiratory problems like asthma. Allergies may be caused by the strong proteins in cow’s milk.
4. Manages weight: The chance of obesity gets lowered, since breast fed babies are able to follow the demands of their appetite.
5. Getting to solids: Breastfed babies are constantly exposed to a variety of tastes through their mother's milk and take to solid foods faster.
6. Safety: The connection is still being explored, but SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is found to be less common in babies that are breastfed.
7. Better dental health: Due to suckling, the jaws and teeth of the baby develop. Children who are breastfed are less likely to need orthodontic work such as braces due to the unique sucking action required with breastfeeding and also seem to have better overall dental health than formula-fed children.
8. Speech Clarity: Children who were breastfed need speech therapy less often than those who were bottle-fed.
9. Breast Cancer Protection: Adults daughters who were breastfed are at less risk for breast cancer.
10. Cholesterol in the long run: Adults who were breastfed may be at lower risk of harmful cholesterol.
11. Latest research may prove other benefits:
- Low risk of Chrohn's disease
- Low risk of juvenile diabetes
- Higher IQ levels to breastfed children

For the mother

1. Natural Protection: Nursing immediately following delivery creates a surge of the hormones in the mother’s body. This helps the uterus to contract and shrink to its pre-pregnant size more quickly, lowering the risk of postpartum hemorrhage or heavy bleeding.
2. Emotional connection: Many mothers feel a special satisfaction in knowing that they alone are meeting the nutritional needs of their babies.
3. Zero organization: With breastfeeding there is no worry about keeping bottles and nipples for the bottles clean, carrying bottled milk and keeping it at the proper temperature. Breast milk is always available, clean, and the right temperature.
4. Economic sense: Breastfeeding is less expensive than formula feeding. In fact, it's free!
5. Relief from periods: The return of periods and fertility may be delayed due to breastfeeding, providing you relief from that “time of the month”. Take note that this is not always the case; so don’t count on it!
6.

Lowers the chance of diseases: Women who nurse their babies for at least 6 months reduce their risk of:
Osteoporosis
Cancer of the Cervix
Pre-menopausal breast cancer
7. Get back in to shape: If you've been stressed about losing your figure after the birth of your little one, you'll be delighted to know that calories are burned while breastfeeding. It takes approximately 20 calories to produce an ounce of milk.

For both mother and child

  The skin-to-skin and eye-to-eye contact and cuddling during breastfeeding creates a wonderful bond between mother and baby. There is nothing better than the cuddling and talking time that takes place during breastfeeding.

Father's have a role too!

If a partner is breastfeeding, some fathers can find that bonding with their baby takes longer. But, you can become involved in the process of breastfeeding by supporting your partner. If you want to give your child a great start in life and your partner can breastfeed, your encouragement can make a big difference.


Guidelines for Breastfeeding

When to start?

Begin breastfeeding the newborn as soon as possible-within 1 hour after delivery, as it:

1. Stimulates uterine contractions that help prevent heavy bleeding.
2. Helps the infant learn suckling early on, which stimulates milk production.
3. Provides important nutrients for the child and transfers immunities from mother to child
(Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced in the first days after childbirth is very special and must be given to the child)
4. Avoids the risk of feeding the baby contaminated liquids or foods

For how long?

It is recommended by most doctors that babies are breastfed until they are at least 9 to 12 months of age. Discuss the subject with your doctor and you both can decide on what is best for you and your baby.

How regularly?

Whether feeding your newborn by breast or a bottle, you may be confused as to how often to do so. Generally, it's recommended that babies be fed on demand - whenever they seem hungry. Your baby may cue you by crying, putting fingers in his or her mouth, or making sucking noises.

A newborn baby usually needs to be fed every 2 to 3 hours. If you're breastfeeding, give your baby the chance to nurse about 10-15 minutes at each breast. If you're formula-feeding, your baby will most likely take about 60-90 milliliters at each feeding.

Some newborns may need to be awakened every few hours to make sure they get enough to eat. Call your baby's doctor if you need to awaken your newborn frequently or if your baby doesn't seem interested in eating or sucking.

Mothers should not breastfeed when they are:

1. Ill
2. On prescription medicines
3. Suffering from heart or kidney disease
4. HIV/ AIDS positive

Alternatives to breast milk are:

1. Expressed milk from another mother
2. Human milk from a donor or milk bank
3. Infant formula

As the final alternative, infant formula is designed to imitate the content and activities of human milk as much as scientifically possible. While there is no formula that can duplicate the perfection of breast milk, out of the above mentioned 3 alternatives, formula milk is the only easily available alternative when breast milk is not an option. Formulas contains many of the vitamins, minerals and iron your baby needs, but since there are so many brands and variations of formula, be sure and have your doctor tell you which one to use.

There is no advantage to giving artificial baby milk (formula) and there may be some disadvantages. The baby who is not satisfied completely at the breast may start to take more and more from the bottle, and end up refusing to take the breast. Breastfed babies also accept solids more readily than artificially fed babies. Breast milk is amazing stuff, eh?

Some pointers to keep in mind while feeding formula milk to your baby:

1. The type and brand of formula feed is best decided in consultation with your pediatrician
2. Hygiene of bottles, nipples, spoons, bowls and other utensils which is going to be used for formula feeding is of paramount importance to keep a check on infections. It is advisable to sterilize them in a bottle sterilizer or boil them in water and clean them thoroughly with brush and soap
3. Water used to prepare the formula feed should be boiled and cooled
4. Concentration of the feed should be followed as per the instructions of the brand
5. Formula feed should not be stored for long durations and it is advisable that fresh feed is prepared every time
6. Formula feed should not be heated in a microwave as the heat is unevenly distributed

Night feeding

When the baby turns 3 months, they usually weigh around 5-6 kgs and may stop waking at night for feeds, as they continue to sleep for 6 hours at a stretch. Once weaning starts and solids are introduced a baby may sleep for as long as 8-10 hours at a stretch.


Weaning - introducing food to your child (at 6 months and beyond)

The period of the introduction of foods in the child's diet is called the weaning process.

Weaning foods are used as an additional source of energy as well as to satisfy the increasing requirements for other essential nutrients. Particular attention should be paid to proteins, iron, vitamin A and C, as these are frequently found to be deficient in the diet of young infants. Foods such as fruits, vegetables and pulses and cereals are introduced slowly, one food at a time.

Between 6-12 months of age solid food does not provide complete nutrition, but as the infant approaches 9 months solid foods form a major part of the dietary nutrients. At this age a baby should be having 3 solid meals, a variety of foods containing proteins, fats and carbohydrates with enough fibre. Breast milk should be given only twice or maximum 3 times a day; a total intake of 500-600 ml of milk is sufficient.

Breast milk can be slowly decreased and discontinued by the age of 12-15 months. Food patterns are developed early in life and it is important that good food habits be developed early. An inadequate intake of calories will result in low weight and vitamin or iron deficiencies can result in anaemia, rickets and other diseases.

Desirable qualities of weaning foods:

1. High energy content
2. Easy to digest
3. Semi-solid in consistency
4. Fresh and clean
5. Inexpensive
6. Easy to prepare

Guidelines during weaning and introducing solids

Go Slow

The best time to start solids is when the baby shows interest in starting. Some babies will become very interested in food on their parents' plates as early as 4 months of age. By 5 or 6 months of age, most babies will be reaching and trying to grab food. When the baby is starting to reach for food, this is a reasonable time to start giving her/him some. So go by the baby's cues.

Give semi-solid food only once in a day when you start and in very small quantities (1-4 teaspoons). Food should not be forced on the baby. Use a very thin consistency when starting solid foods and then slowly thicken consistency.

There is no need to go in any specific order to introduce solids in a baby's diet or for the baby to eat only one food for a certain period of time. In one meal, introduce one food at a time to allow the infant to become familiar with the food before trying to give another.

Food does not have to be pureed or made semi-liquid (as in a mixer-grinder) if the baby is 5 or 6 months of age or older. Simply mashing it with a fork is all that may be necessary. In some cases, it may be better to start food earlier. When a baby seems to be hungry, or when weight gain is not continuing at the desired rate, it may be reasonable to start solids as early as 3 months of age, in consultation with a doctor.

Try Again

If, after several trials, your baby has an acute dislike for a particular food, omit it for a week or two and then try again. If the dislike persists, respect it. There is no essential food (except breastmilk). If your baby does not like a certain food, do not push it on him. If you think it important for him, wait a few weeks and offer it again or find a substitute and lastly, mix it with another food. It is important to make the transition to semi-solid foods an enjoyable one. Do not worry about exactly how much is actually consumed as much of it may end up tangled in hair and on the floor.

Be patient

Patience is needed when babies are first introduced to semi-solids. While they are learning to eat this way, they may often spit out the food - this does not mean that they dislike the food or are not hungry. It is normal for your baby to bring the food out, as the ability to chew and swallow takes time to develop.

Flexibility

Try to have flexible feeding schedules. After the first few weeks, a healthy infant will develop a self-regulated feeding schedule. The number of total feeds a day will usually reduce significantly by the time the infant is six months of age. Be relaxed, feed the baby at your meal-times, and as s/he becomes a more accomplished eater of solid foods, offer a greater variety of foods at any one time.

At about 8 months of age, babies become somewhat assertive in displaying their individuality. Your baby may not want you to put a spoon into his mouth and it is likely that s/he will take it out of your hand and eat on their own, often upside down, so that the food falls on his lap! Respect these attempts at self sufficiency and encourage learning.

Salt, sugar, spice and temperature

No added salt or sugar is needed if sweetening is necessary, sweeten with fruit puree. Salt should not be added or as it may actually be harmful, before the age of one year. Avoid giving highly spiced or highly allergenic foods, but if the baby reaches for the potato on your plate, make sure it is not too hot, and let him have the potato.

Note on Infant Cereal

Some exclusively breastfed babies dislike infant cereal when it is introduced at 5 or 6 months of age. The truth is, there is nothing magical or necessary about infant cereal. Infant cereal has iron, but if it is poorly absorbed, it may cause the baby to be constipated.

Baby Food Myth: Introducing vegetables before fruits is better for growth

There is no reason to introduce vegetables before fruit. Breastmilk is far sweeter than fruit, so there is no reason to believe that the baby will take to vegetables if you delay the introduction of fruit.

Burping

Babies often swallow air during feeding, which can make them fussy. You can prevent this by burping your baby frequently. Try burping your baby each time you switch breasts or every five minutes during breastfeeding or after every 60-90 milliliters if you bottle-feed!

How?
If your baby tends to be gassy, has gastro-oesophageal reflux, or seems fussy during feeding try these tips:

1. Hold your baby upright with his or her head on your shoulder. Support your baby's head and back while gently patting the back with your other hand.
2. Sit your baby on your lap. Support your baby's chest and head with one hand by cradling your baby's chin in the palm of your hand and resting the heel of your hand on your baby's chest (be careful to grip your baby's chin - not throat). Use the other hand to gently pat your baby's back.
3. Carefully, lay your baby face-down on your lap. Support your baby's head, making sure it's higher than her/his chest, and gently pat or rub her/his back.

If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, change the baby's position and try to make the baby burp (for another few minutes) before feeding again. Always burp your baby when feeding time is over, then keep her or him in an upright position for at least 10-15 minutes to avoid them from spitting up (may look like vomit).

Spitting up in infants

Spitting up is common and occurs frequently during infancy. Spitting up does not indicate a problem unless the baby is choking on the food, is spitting up excessively large amounts of milk or there is failure to gain weight.

The medical term for "spitting up" is gastro esophageal reflux. It is the spitting up of milk after feeding. It is not the same as vomiting, which is the forceful expulsion of food from the stomach.

Causes

It happens when milk or solid food in the stomach comes back up into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube from the mouth to the stomach.

Breastfed babies tend to spit up less than bottle-fed babies, because they usually take in only as much milk as they need, and because they tend to swallow less air.

What are the symptoms?

1. Effortless spitting up or reflux of 1 or 2 mouthfuls of stomach contents.
2. Smaller amounts often occur with burping ("wet burps").
3. Larger amounts can occur due to overfeeding.
4. Usually seen during or shortly after feedings.
5. Occurs mainly in children under 1 year of age and begins in the first few weeks of life.

Ways to reduce spitting up

1. Burp your baby several times during and after feeding by sitting him upright (with your hand supporting his head). This allows air bubbles to rise to the top of his stomach and bending at the waist encourages burping of the air.
2. Avoid pressure on the full abdomen, which often occurs when holding your baby over your shoulder. This "standard" procedure causes more expulsion of stomach contents rather than just expelling gas or air.
3. Avoid excessive movements during and immediately after feeding.
4. Avoid feeding large amounts and feed the baby with smaller amounts, more frequently.
5. Lay your baby down on his right side with the head slightly elevated.
6. Check for dribbling during sleep. The constant moisture in the corners of the mouth, chin, and neck can result in skin irritations.
7. Be sure your baby is getting adequate fluids by checking for dehydration symptoms such as thirst, headache, weariness and dark-coloured urine.