"Breastfeeding"Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breastfeeding directly from female human breasts rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflexthat enables them to suck and swallow milk. It is recommended that mothers breastfeed 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.
FOR BABY
- 1. Due to the anti-infective properties of breastmilk, breastfed babies tend to have less incidence of or less pronounced symptoms of ear infections, respiratory illness, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting. 2. Due to the digestibility of breastmilk, breastfed babies are rarely constipated.
3. The stools of breastfed babies are mild-smelling.
4. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is less common in breastfed babies.
5. Breastmilk is constantly changing in its composition to meet the changing 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 his growth.
6. Breastfed babies are constantly exposed to a variety of tastes through their mother's milk.
7. Breastfed children are at less risk for chrohn's disease and juvenile diabetes.
8. Children who were breastfed are less likely to need orthodontic work such as braces due to the unique sucking action required with breastfeeding. They also seem to have better overall dental health than formula-fed children. Children who were breastfed need speech therapy less often than those who were bottle-fed.
9. IQ levels are an average of 8 points higher in children who were breastfed.
10. Adult daughters who were breastfed are at less risk for breast cancer.
11. Adults who were breastfed have a lower risk for high cholesterol and asthma.
12. The bond between mother and child seems to be enhanced with breastfeeding.
FOR MOTHER
- 1. Nursing immediately following delivery causes the uterus to contract lessening the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. 2. The uterus of a breastfeeding mother shrinks to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly.
3. Calories are burned while breastfeeding. It takes approximately 20 calories to produce an ounce of milk.
4. Women who nurse their babies for at least 6 months lessen their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
5. Osteoporosis and cervical cancer are less common in women who breastfed.
6. The return of fertility is delayed with breastfeeding.
7. Breastfeeding is more economical than formula feeding. The cost of formula for 12 months is approximately $1000 - $1200.
8. Breastmilk is always available, clean, and the right temperature.
9. Many mothers feel a special satisfaction in knowing that they alone are meeting the nutritional needs of their babies.
What does breast milk look like?
In the first few days after your child is born your breastmilk will be yellowish and very creamy.Three days or so after the birth you will find it becomes more “watery” and changes to a bluish color.Your breastmilk will also change during a feeding becoming thicker and less watery as the breastfeeding session continues.
Does my breast milk change flavor depending on what I eat?
The flavor of breastmilk is changed by the food you eat.So unlike formula fed babies your child will begin to experience a a wide range of flavors and tastes.(you can also put a drop or two on your finger and check for yourself).
Will all this breast milk make my breasts sag?
Most often a woman’s breasts will return nearly to the size and shape they were before pregnancy. It is the growth of the milk producing tissue not the breastmilk that has the greatest effect on form and size of your breasts.
Why is milk white?
Casein. It's the milk protein that is rich in calcium. Another milk protein is whey, which looks clear or watery. Many of the immunoglobulins and protective proteins are in the whey portion of milk.
Women's milk is about 80% whey and 20% casein, and whizzes through the baby's digestive system. Cow's milk is about 80% casein which forms big curds in the calf's stomach which are very slow to digest. Cow's milk is cloudy and chalky because it's higher in casein. The casein can be made into cheese.
A trick to remember these differences: W stands for Women's milk, high in Whey, Wonderful Immunoglobulins, and makes for Whiz-bang smart kids. C stands for Cow's milk, high in Casein, Chalky, ideal for making Chewy Curds for Calves.
How long will women's breasts continue to produce milk after weaning?
At least 45 days, according to "Infant Feeding, the Physiological Basis."
Anecdotal information suggests that many women can express milk for many months after the last baby stops breastfeeding, but little research has been done on this topic.
Anecdotal information suggests that many women can express milk for many months after the last baby stops breastfeeding, but little research has been done on this topic.
