| |
|
|
| BEST FOR BABY, BEST FOR
MOM |
Dr. Gopal Upadhyaya
Pediatrician, Zulekha Medical Centre, Dubai |
| |
One of the better things that a mom can do for
her baby is to breastfeed for as long as possible. Not that breastfeeding
is the only option to feed a baby, simply ‘it's the best for the
baby’ and every mother has the potential to succeed in breastfeeding.
It is best for the baby because a mother's milk has just the right amount
of fat, sugar, water and protein needed for a baby's growth and development.
Moreover, it is easier to digest breast milk than any formula. Breast milk
has antibodies in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses,
fight off infection and disease. Human milk straight from the breast is
always sterile.
The precious advantages for a mother are
• Breastfeeding saves time and money
• No need to purchase, measure, mix
• No bottles to warm in the middle of the night
• Breastfeeding helps the mother bond with her baby
• Physical contact helps newborns feel secure, warm and
 comforted
• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the
pounds gained from pregnancy
• It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size more
quickly
• It lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth
• Breastfeeding also may lower risk of breast and ovarian
cancers
The medical advice is that babies should be fed with breast milk only — no
formula — for the first 6 months of life. 'It is better to breastfeed
for 6 months and best to breastfeed for 12 months or for as long as you
and your baby wish. Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 6 months
old, while you continue to breastfeed,' says the US Surgeon General.
Dr Gopal Upadhayaya, pediatrician, Zulekha Hospital, Dubai, answers some
queries relating to breastfeeding.
How is the breast prepared for lactation during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, hormone, placental lactogen, which is secreted by placenta,
and prolactin which is released by the pituitary gland and is important
not only in initiating milk secretion but also in maintaining milk production
after birth? Suckling stimulates oxytocin, a hormone from the posterior
pituitary, which in turn stimulates the ejection or ‘let down’ of
milk by the breast.
What are the technical problems, which are encountered during breast-feeding?
Breastfeeding is a complex process, which might break down at a number
of stages. The breast and nipple may be ill formed, although appropriate
care during pregnancy can do much to encourage adequate development.
If the full breast is not emptied then it may become engorged and inflamed,
and the resulting pressure and pain will inhibit milk production. Gentle
manual expression of milk will avoid this complication.
Breastfeeding does not seem to be a basic instinct; many anxious mothers
who have not seen others breastfeeding need considerable guidance initially.
What are the advantages of breast-feeding?
Human milk is an excellent nutrient mixture, which also gives the baby
some protection against infection. Breast-feeding helps to foster mother-child
interaction. In addition, data support the reduction of ear and respiratory
infections, diarrheal illnesses; atopic skin disorders among breast-fed
infants and the infant may be less at risk from unexplained sudden death.
Technically, breastfeeding is easier than bottle-feeding in as much as
mother is not required to make up the mixture, and sterilizing bottles
is not a problem. Approximately 9 out of 10 women who while breast-feeding
their babies do not ovulate; but breastfeeding should not be regarded as
a method of contraception.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the milk that is produced in the first 48-72hrs and is straw
coloured. It contains more protein, hormones, immunoglobulin, white cells,
lower fat and carbohydrate content than normal milk.
What are the disadvantages of cow’s milk?
Cow’s milk contains more protein, in particular more curd protein
or casein, and these curds being less easy to digest have caused bowel
obstruction. Cow’s milk contains more fat, sodium and phosphate.
In the early weeks of life this may lead to hypocalcemia with subsequent
fitting. Some infants are allergic to cow’s milk Protein; they may
react to feeding with per-oral rashes and oedema or by vomiting or passing
frequent loose stools, which usually contain blood.
When breastfeeding is not advised?
When the mother is suffering from untreated tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis
B infection (if HBSAg positive), HIV infection (this is not the case in
Third World countries where the risk of death from malnutrition is greater.)
Most drugs taken by the mother enter the milk. It is very rare for medication
given to the mother to be a sufficient reason to stop breastfeeding. Babies
with abnormalities such as cleft lip and palate and if they are suffering
from phenylketonuria and galactosemia are not given breast milk |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
