Breastfeeding

By the word "breastfeeding", one means the feeding of a young child by the milk coming from the woman’ breast. The breast milk is the best available nourishment for the infants and that has been proved by Scientists at regular times. Infants have a sucking reflex that helps them to suck the milk from the Breast and swallow it. Scientists have over a period of time suggested that no milk is as beneficial to the young child as breast milk.

Breast milk can be given to the child by his mother or any other lactating female. The breast milk can be provided to the child through bottle or pasteurized milk can be used as a substitute, in case the mother is unable to feed the infant due to any reason.

The following hormones are responsible for the production of milk in a female's body:

1. Progesterone.
2. Estrogen.
3. Luteinizing hormone.
4. Follicle stimulating hormone.
5. Prolactin.
6. Human placental lactogen.
7. Oxytocin.

A woman is supposed to be using around 500-600 calories a day for the production of milk in her body for feeding the child.

There are several benefits attached with the use of breast milk. They are:

1. Lowering the risk of asthma, diarrhea, eczema, allergies, and obesity.

2. The milk has anti-infective factors which save the child from any microbial infection.

3. Breast feeding mothers have less risk of breast cancer.

4. Low risk of post-partum hemorrhage in woman.

5. Insulin requirements of the body reduce in diabetic breast-feeder mothers.

Precautions:

1. Children of mothers suffering from untreated pulmonary tuberculosis.

2. Children suffering from classic galactosemia must avoid breast milk.

3. Mothers using heroin, cocaine or amphetamines.

4. Mothers suffering from HIV infection.

5. Mothers should avoid giving sugar, plain water, glucose, and honey to the child before the first breast-feed of the child as that could lead to infection in the body of the infant.

It is the normal tendency of a child to prefer one breast of the mother to another one. Further, the posture of breast-feeding the child is dependent on the comfort of the child and the mother in addition to the feeding preference of the child.

Women produce a yellowish and thick fluid from the Breast in the few first days that is known as “colostrum” that is highly effective for the child against infections prone to an infant and is nutritious for the budding child.

Breastfeeding is not limited to any time frames, it can be given any number of times as and when the child needs it. The milk that comes out initially is very watery and contains proteins and sugar, however, the milk that is secreted later on contains rich fats that are sufficient to feed the child. One breast may be given to the child at one time and the other breast may be given to the child after the first one is emptied.

The breast milk must be given to the child till the second birthday of the child and the child may be slowly and steadily introduced to the family meals.