Benefits of Breastfeeding

WHO quotes that “Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers”. There are many health benefits of breastfeeding for both the baby and mother. Here is a list of few important benefits of breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby

• Breast fed babies have stronger immune system and doesn’t fall prey easily to infections than formula fed infants
• The cholesterol and unsaturated fats in the breastmilk promotes the good development of brain and nerve cells early in the life.
• Due to the immunity conferred by the breastmilk, breast fed babies experience less episodes of diarrhoea and constipation.  
• Breastfeeding has also been proved to be preventive against a few types of childhood cancers.
• Breastfed babies have 36% reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• There is 15-30% reduction of adolescent and adult obesity rate in children who were exclusively breastfed during infancy.
• Babies fed with formula or cow’s milk tend to have more allergies than breast fed babies.
• Researchers have concluded that breast fed babies have a significant better cognitive development than formula fed babies.
• Sucking activity improves the muscle strength of the jaws and in turn to better orthodontic development.
• The Human milk are less likely to have fever after immunization

Benefits of breastfeeding for the Mother

• Initiating breastfeeding in the first hour after childbirth helps the uterus to contract and reduce the post partum blood flow
• Mommies who breastfeed their infants have found to have lesser percentage of ovarian and breast cancer later in life
• Post partum depression was found to be less in mommies who breastfeed their baby
• The Mother Baby bond is strengthened by breastfeeding and the mom feels more reassured of the baby care
• Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis in the future

Author Bio

I am Dr.Hemapriya, a.k.a the “Doctor Mommy”. I am a medical doctor by profession, no longer into active medical practice as my two little moppets keep me pretty much busy. But, this has not stopped me from putting my medical knowledge to good use.

Formula Food for Babies

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Mother’s milk is the best source of nutrition for a baby, but there are few conditions where mother’s milk cannot be given or it is not enough for the baby.  (Link to previous article First Feed to Newborn)

In such circumstances Formula can be given to the baby. WHO advises not to use cow’s milk for babies before 1 year as there is increased instances of Iron deficiency Anemia and Allergies in infants fed with cow’s milk.

Here are some useful tips to choose the right formula for your baby;

Types of Infant formula.

There are basically three types of infant formula available in the market, cow’s milk based (more similar to breastmilk), soy based (for babies allergic to milk proteins or lactose), protein hydrosylsate based formula (for babies who are allergic to both cow’s milk and soy based)

Iron fortified formula

Always ensure that the formula is Iron fortified as breastmilk has the adequate Iron for the baby’s development whereas formula has to fortified with iron to provide the baby adequate nutrition.

DHA enhanced formula

DHA and AA enhanced formula are in much vogue now due to their benefits in brain development. Human breastmilk has the adequate levels to promote the normal brain development and so it is better to go for a formula that is DHA and AA enhanced.

What if my baby has lactose allergy?

If your baby has lactose allergies then please consult your paediatrician who will either advice a lactose free formula or a soy based formula.

How much formula to feed the baby ?

According to the AAP on a average your baby must be fed about 75 ml per 453gms of body weight. You don’t have to follow this strict regime, follow your baby’s hunger cues and feed appropriately.

How to give formula for babies

The formula packet will have the instructions regarding the number of scoops of powder to be used and the amount of water that has to be added. Please follow the instructions and do not add either more powder or water than required. Always sterilise the feeding utensils with hot water and use it for the baby.

Author Bio

I am Dr.Hemapriya, a.k.a the “Doctor Mommy”. I am a medical doctor by profession, no longer into active medical practice as my two little moppets keep me pretty much busy. But, this has not stopped me from putting my medical knowledge to good use.

Newborn Baby - First steps towards Breastfeeding

A baby’s arrival into the world is the most precious day for any parent. We prepare ourselves for the little one’s arrival, but soon after the birth we are helpless and confused as what to be done for the baby.

Join with me as we slowly unravel the mysteries of the newborn care....

Your first major step in your baby’s Nutrition will be the decision on the “First Feed for the Newborn”

Here are some useful tips that will help you decide about newborn’s first nutrition.

Breastmilk / Colostrum

• Ideally the first feed for the newborn should be the Colostrum
• Colostrum is the first milk secreted from the mammary glands and it is rich in antibodies and nutrition. It is slightly yellow in color and its secretion gradually decreases after the first week of delivery.

Benefits of colostrum for babies

• It is the perfect first food for the Baby as it is easily digestible.
• It acts as a natural laxative and causes the easy passage of the first stools or meconium.
• Colostrum is the powerhouse of nutrition, though the quantity is less it is very thick in consistency and rich of nutrients.
• Colostrum also protects the new born’s stomach against infections and sensitize the gut to any food that the mother eats.
• It acts as a Natural Vaccine protecting the newborn against infectious viruses and bacteria for the first few months.

How to feed the newborn baby?

The first hour after birth is the time when the suckling instinct of the baby will be high and  the baby must be introduced to breastfeeding during this crucial hour.

Hold the baby close to you so that he can feel the mother’s touch and smell the colostrum which helps him to latch to the breast easily.

Nursing the baby in the first hour also helps to stimulate the neural centres to secrete more milk. There will be a surge of hormones that helps the uterus to contract and also decreases the bleeding.

The new born’ stomach can hold only 5 to 7 ml of milk. Colostrum being thick and less in quantity is the perfect choice for the first feed of the baby.

In the first few days lactation experts advice that the baby should be fed atleast 8 to 12 times a day i.e every 4 hours

Can I feed the baby after C-section

Yes, even after C-section the baby can be breastfed in the first hour. Though the effect of anaesthesia takes some time to wane, the baby will not be affected by it. Early feeding helps prevent the engorgement of breasts and helps the to strengthen the mom baby bond.

Breastfeeding is not advisable in the following conditions.

• In the following cases where breastfeeding is not advisable, the baby can be fed with formula milk.
• If the mother has the following conditions
• Has Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Is on Radiotherapy or chemotherapy for any type of Cancer
• Has active untreated Tuberculosis.
• If the baby has galactosemia.
• If in cases of inverted nipple or any other nipple disorders, steps must be taken to correct them and until then the baby can be fed with expressed breast milk.

Author Bio

I am Dr.Hemapriya, a.k.a the “Doctor Mommy”. I am a medical doctor by profession, no longer into active medical practice as my two little moppets keep me pretty much busy. But, this has not stopped me from putting my medical knowledge to good use.