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DESCRIPTION
New parents want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk. More than two decades of research have established that breast milk is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illness. Breastfed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottlefed babies.
Babies should be breastfed for a minimum of 6 to 12 months. The only acceptable alternative to breast milk is infant formula (be sure to read labels). Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 4 to 6 months old, but a baby should drink breast milk or formula, not cow's milk, for a full year (however, goat's milk is a good substitute for breast milk or formula since it is easily digested and closely resembles human milk in composition). There aren't any rules about when to stop breastfeeding. As long as the baby is eating age-appropriate solid foods, a mother may nurse for 2 years or longer if she wishes. A baby needs breast milk for the first year of life, and then as long as desired after that.
BENEFITS TO INFANTS
The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth. Cow's milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it. Bottlefed infants tend to be fatter than breastfed infants, but not necessarily healthier.
Because human milk transfers to the infant the mother's antibodies to disease, breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Breastfed babies are protected, in varying degrees from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.
A breastfed baby's digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful organism. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in the infant.
Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself.
Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development as well. It's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. The baby at the breast also can control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.
Nursing has psychological benefits for the infant as well, creating an early bond between mother and child. At birth, infants see only 12 to 15 inches, the distance between a nursing baby and its mother's face. Studies have found that infants as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mother's milk.
Many psychologists believe the nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there's skin-to-skin contact during feeding. Parents of bottlefed babies may be tempted to prop bottles in the babies's mouth, with no human contact during feeding. But a nursing mother must cuddle her infant closely many times during the day. Nursing becomes more than a way to feed a baby; it's a source of warmth and comfort.
MoonDragon's Articles: 101 Reasons To Breastfeed Your Infant
BENEFITS TO MOTHER
Breastfeeding is good from new mothers as well as for their babies. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. It may be easier for a nursing mother to lose the pounds of pregnancy as well, since nursing uses up extra calories. Lactation stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.
A nursing mother is forced to get needed rest. She must sit down, put her feet up, and relax every few hours to nurse. Nursing at night is easy as well. No one has to stumble to the refrigerator for a bottle and warm it while the baby cries. If she's lying down, a mother can doze while she nurses.
Nursing is also nature's contraceptive - although not a very reliable one for every woman. Frequent nursing suppresses ovulation, making it less likely for a nursing mother to menstruate, ovulate, or get pregnant. There are no guarantees, however. Mothers who don't want more children right away should use contraception even while nursing. Hormone injections and implants are safe during nursing, as are all barrier methods of birth control. The labeling on birth control pills says if possible another form of contraception should be used until the baby is weaned.
Breastfeeding is economical also. Even though a nursing mother works up a big appetite and consumes extra calories, the extra food for her is less expensive than buying formula for the baby. Nursing saves money while providing the best nourishment.
WHEN SHOULD YOU NOT BREASTFEED
There are very few medical reasons why a mother shouldn't breastfeed. Most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, skin infections, or diarrhea, cannot be passed through breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.
A few viruses can pass through breast milk, however. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of them. Women who are HIV positive should not breast-feed.
A few other illness -- such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta streptococcus infections -- can also be transmitted through breast milk. But that doesn't always mean a mother with those diseases should not breastfeed. Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis.
Breast cancer is not passed through breast milk. Women who have had breast cancer can usually breastfeed from the unaffected breast. There is some concern that the hormones produced during pregnancy and lactation may trigger a reoccurrence of cancer, but so far this has not been proven. Studies have shown, however, that breastfeeding a child reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer later.
Silicone breast implants usually do not interfere with a woman's ability to nurse, but if the implants leak, there is some concern that the silicone may harm the baby. If a woman with implants wants to breastfeed, she should first discuss the potential benefits and risks with her child's health care provider or midwife.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS
For all its health benefits, breastfeeding does have some disadvantages. In the early weeks, it can be painful. A woman's nipples may become sore or cracked. She may experience engorgement more than a bottle feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of milk they're hard and painful. Some nursing women also develop clogged milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. Mastitis requires prompt medical care.
Another possible disadvantage of nursing is that it affects a woman's entire lifestyle. A nursing mother with baby-in-tow must wear clothes that enable her to nurse anywhere, or she'll have to find a private place to undress. She should eat a well-balanced diet and she might need to avoid foods that irritate the baby. She also shouldn't smoke, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness in the baby, as well as decreased milk production.
Women who plan to go back to work soon after birth will have to plan carefully if they want to breastfeed. If her job allows, a new mother can pump the breast milk several times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for the baby to take in a bottle later. Or, some women alternate nursing at night and weekends with daytime bottles of formula.
In either case, a nursing mother is physically tied to her baby more than a bottlefeeding mother. The baby needs her for nourishment, and she needs to nurse regularly to avoid getting uncomfortably full breasts. But instead of feeling it's a chore, nursing mothers often cite this close relationship as one of the greatest joys of nursing. Besides, nursing mothers can get away between feedings if they need a break.
Finally, some women just don't feel comfortable with the idea of nursing. They don't want to handle their breasts, or they want to think of them as sexual, not functional. They may be concerned about modesty and the possibility of having to nurse in public. They may want a break from child care to let someone else feed the baby, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
If a woman is unsure whether she wants to nurse, she can try it for a few weeks and switch if she doesn't like it. It's very difficult to switch to breastfeeding after bottle-feeding is begun.
If she plans to breastfeed, a new mother should learn as much as possible about it before the baby is born. Doctors, childbirth instructors, nurses, and midwives can all offer information about nursing. But perhaps the best ongoing support for a nursing mother is someone who has successfully nursed a baby.
La Leche League, a national support organization for nursing mothers, has chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breastfeeding problems and offer support. Most La Leche League chapters allow women to come to a few meetings without charge. League leaders offer advice by phone as well. To find a convenient La Leche League chapter, call (1-800) LA-LECHE.
MEDICATIONS
Most medications have not been tested in nursing mothers.
A nursing mother should advise any health care professional who prescribes a medication for her that she is breastfeeding.
Read the instructions on non prescription drugs to see if they are safe for breastfeeding. Ask the pharmacist or health care provider if unsure.
Avoid all drugs of abuse if breastfeeding.
Some drugs can be taken by a nursing mother if she stops breastfeeding for a few days or weeks. To maintain milk supply, she can pump her breasts and discard the milk; baby can be fed formula temporarily.
Keep in mind, not all health care providers are knowledgeable or supportive about breastfeeding. If you are discouraged by a health care provider to not breastfeed your baby or told that you must stop breastfeeding, for whatever reason... please get a second opinion from another provider of your choice. Do not be afraid to discuss it with other supportive health care professionals or support group leaders before you decide to quit breastfeeding. There may be other options open to you that have not been explored and you need to make an informed decision.
POST PROCEDURE CARE
BREASTFEEDING INSTRUCTIONS
It's helpful for a woman who wants to breastfeed to learn as much about it as possible before delivery. The following tips can help foster successful nursing:
- Get an early start. Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, when the infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. If the infant is born at home, the midwife will encourage the infant to breastfeed within minutes after the birth as an aid for expelling the placenta and preventing blood loss in the mother. Even though the mother won't be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease as well as important nutrients the newly born baby needs the first few days of life. Breast milk usually comes in about the 3rd to 4th day after the birth.
- Proper positioning is important. The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. A midwife, nurse, or other knowledgeable person can help her find a comfortable nursing position. Women with very large breasts and those with inverted nipples will need extra help in breastfeeding techniques and positioning.
- Nurse on demand. Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breastfed babies often eat more frequently than bottlefed babies.
- No supplements. Nursing babies don't need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will produce. A mother of twins or triplets are capable of breastfeeding her multiple babies with a little creative ingenuity and support from those around her.
- Delay artificial nipples. It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breastfeed.
- Air Dry. In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry her them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. Soreness can be caused when the baby does not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.
- Watch for infection. Symptoms of breast infection (mastitis) include fever and painful lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.
- Expect engorgement. A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, hard and painful for a few days (nature's way of providing enough milk just in case there were multiple babies born). To relieve this engorgement, she should feed the baby frequently and on demand until her body adjusts and produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the mother can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts and take warm baths to relieve the pain.
I suffered terribly from engorgement with my five breast-fed babies... I swear we must have had some bovine (cow) throwback in our family genetics... I was a literal milk cow when my milk came in going from a small A cup bra size to a full D cup within a matter of a few days... So here are a few tips that I personally used in my breastfeeding experiences:
I enjoyed taking warm showers and beginning under my arm pits, slowly and firmly apply pressure with both of my hands on each side of my engorged breast in an inward direction I massaged toward the nipple to express extra milk out of the breast while allowing the warm water to spray on the breast.
Another tip I used to help engorgement was getting the baby to nurse on one side for a few minutes and then switching him or her to the other side for a few minutes. While nursing the first breast, I would apply a clean towel to the breast not being nursed to "catch" milk flow (for me, wash cloths were too small for the amount of milk that would begin to flow) created from the "letting down" reaction of the other breast being nursed (I seriously could squirt milk several feet from me, making a very wet mess... of course my husband thought it was hilarious). I may switch the baby back and forth a few times, easing pressure up on both sides until both of my breasts were comfortably relieved.
- Eat right, get rest. To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue. She should take care of herself and her body with the same attention and dedication as she did when she was pregnant.
- Relax and be happy. It is important to have and keep a sense of humor about birth and parenting. A relaxed emotional approach and a non-stressed environment to simply enjoy your new baby will go a long way towards breastfeeding (and parenting) success. The emotional state of the mother will also have effect on the baby. For a relaxed baby, the mother will need to keep herself relaxed. A stressed out mother will have a tense and fussy baby.
Note: This information adapted in part from the FDA Consumer (the magazine of the United States Food and Drug Administration).
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE, LACTATION CONSULTANT,
OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You have any questions about breast-feeding.
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