Breast Feeding

Breast feeding

Starting breast-feeding early has the potential to prevent deaths in children under five years of age. Children who are breast-fed have at least six times greater chance of survival in the early months than non breast-fed children; it reduces deaths from acute respiratory infection and diarrhea.

Breast milk contains all nutrients (fats, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral). It also contains bioactive factors that protect from infection. It provides protection transmission of immunoglobulins and factors that then allows the infants immune system to develop and mature itself. Other components such as proteins, lysozyme, lipids etc provide non – immune protection. Hormones and growth factors are also contained within breast milk, which affects the development of the child. Fatty acids present are important for neurosurgical developments. Colostrum, a yellow, thick fluid secreted during first postpartum week, contains greater percentage of protein, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals than mature milk, and is especially rich in secretary IgA.

Benefits of breast feeding:

There are many reasons why a mother should breastfeed their newborn, which include benefits to the mother as well as the child. It provides protection against many infections and chronic diseases and conditions such as, diarrhea, influenza, respiratory infections, bordetella pertussis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol level. It can also provide some protection against allergies, due to copious IgA, and eczema. It also enhances cognitive and social development and intelligence, resulting in a higher IQ.

It also provides benefits to the mother; it helps reduce the risk of post-partum haemorrhage. In the short term, breastfeeding delays the return to fertility and in the long term, it reduces type 2 diabetes and breast, uterine and ovarian cancer and postnatal depression. There are benefits to both mother and child due to early newborn contact and initiation of suckling. It plays a role in the maternal caring for the child and also allows better temperature control; higher blood glucose levels and babies tend to cry less. Studies have also shown that earlier initiation is associated with a longer duration of breast-feeding.

Complementary feeding

This is introduced at 6 months when the child requires more nutrients and the amount obtained from breast milk is not sufficient for the child’s needs. A variety of food is needed in order for the child to obtain sufficient nutrients, for example food such as that from an animal origin, pulses, dark green leaves, orange fruit and vegetables, oils, fats and sugars. Feeding should be adequate, safe and hygienic and consistent; the amount given should be increased gradually. The mother should respond to the baby’s needs; if they are hungry and require more, they should be fed more.

The rules for responsive feeding are:

• Feed infants and assist older children to feed themselves
• Feed slowly and patiently
• When the baby refuses food, try different foods, combinations, textures and methods or encouragement
• Avoid the baby being distracted by other things during meals
• Talk to the child during feeding bringing his attention to food

References

1. http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_breastfeeding.html
2. http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/
3. http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_more.html
4. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Breastfeeding-The-Benefits.htm
5. http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc
6. Infant and Young Child Feeding, Dr. Eva Kudlova