Many of us might already know that breast milk is best for babies and mothers as well. Breastfeeding provides many benefits including the emotional bonding of mother and baby, the cost savings, and the health benefits for both mother and baby. Almost all experts now agree that breastfeeding is beneficial, and many have concerns about artificial formulas.
What is breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding, also referred to as ‘suckling’ or ‘nursing’, is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e. via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container. It is recommended that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months or more, without the addition of infant formula or solid food. After the addition of solid food, mothers are advised to continue breastfeeding for at least a year, and can continue for two years or more. Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for babies.
Can all new mothers breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is the best choice for most mothers. It is not recommended for women who are HIV positive, those using illicit drugs like cocaine, women who have active untreated tuberculosis and a few women who are on special drugs. The vast majority of mothers in Anguilla can breastfeed their newborns. Having a cesarean section does not prevent a mother from breastfeeding her newborn.
How can a pregnant woman increase her chances of successful breastfeeding?
There are a number of things a pregnant woman can do to achieve successful breastfeeding. These include:
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
• Getting adequate rest as much as possible.
• Boosting her confidence. She should learn as much as possible about breastfeeding.
When breastfeeding a woman should try to keep the environment calm and relaxed.
Mothers should ask for help when needed. Friends who have successfully breastfed might be a good source of information and support. Lactation consultants are available in Anguilla. Ask your obstetrician or midwife about persons who have received training in breastfeeding so that they can provide help.
What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby?
There are many benefits of breastfeeding for the baby. Some of these are:
• Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has the perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat — everything your infant needs to grow.
• Breast milk is more easily digested than infant formula.
• Breast milk contains antibodies that help a baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding reduces a baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.
• Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea.
• Breastfed babies also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor.
• Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies.
• The physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure.
• Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children.
Are there breastfeeding Benefits for the Mother?
Yes! There are also many benefits for the mother. Some of these are as follows:
• Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster.
• It releases the hormone oxytocin which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.
• Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Breastfeeding is cost effective. You do not have to buy formula, sterilize nipples, or warm bottles. Breastfeeding, therefore, saves you time and money.
• Breastfeeding helps you build a strong emotional bond with your new baby.
How long should I breastfeed my baby?
How long you choose to breastfeed your baby is up to you. Exclusive breastfeeding is typically recommended for the first six months after birth — and continued until at least age 1 in combination with solid foods. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients for your baby and boosts your baby’s immune system. It is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition.
Will I have enough milk?
This is a common question that many of my patients ask me. The first few days of breastfeeding might be challenging, but with some support and encouragement the vast majority of women can successfully breastfeed their infants.
The first few days after birth, your breasts produce ideal “first milk.” It’s called colostrum. Colostrum is thick, yellowish, and scant — but it will meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Colostrum helps a newborn’s digestive tract develop and prepare itself to digest breast milk. A natural feedback loop exists between your baby’s feeding needs and your milk production. As your baby needs more milk, and nurses more, your breasts respond by producing more milk. Once you are getting adequate fluids, most women will produce enough milk for their babies. Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula, juice, or water) for six months. If you supplement with formula, your milk production may go down.
Even if you breastfeed less than the recommended six months, it is better to breastfeed for a short time than no time at all. You can add solid food at six months but also continue to breastfeed if you want to keep producing milk.
Conclusion
Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for infants’ health, growth, immunity and development. The economic benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous, and in these difficult financial times this is just one more reason for mothers to breastfeed their infants. Expecting mothers should ask their health care providers for information about breastfeeding and seek help if needed.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
