Hi, would like to share with you some facts on breastfeeding since someone initiated the discussion here
1. The importance of early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of deliveryBreastfeeding should be started within 1 hour after delivery. This is important to get production of milk started. In addition, the baby is most alert during this period.
2. Benefits of Breastfeeding & the Superiority of breast milk.-Breastmilk provides the best nutrition for babies. It contains all the nutrition in the right proportion and its composition changes with the needs of a growing baby.
-With breastmilk, especially colostrum (the first-ever breasr milk), a baby immunity is strengthened. This means excellent protection against infections such as diarrhoea, colds, bronchitis and lung infection.
-Brearmilk also prevents allergic disorders e.g. asthma, eczema & infantile colic.
-Breastmilk contains nutrients that are required for brain development.
-By breatfeeding your chuld, chances of contamination which can occur in other forms of feeding are minimised.
-Breastmilk is available anytime. There is no inconvenience of preparation or heating. Breastmilk is always at the right temperature.
-It provides comfort and emotional security for the baby.
-It enables mother and the baby to interact more hence closer bonding.
-Breastmilk helps mother's womb to return to normal sze and reduce the chances of severe bleeding.
-It helps delay menstruation if the mother fully breastfeeds her baby. The decrease the chance of another pregnancy.
-It lower the risk of developing braest cancer and cancer of the ovary.
3. Maternal Nutrition and Management of Breastfeeding-When the mother is breastfeeding, what she eat is important. The mother needs to eat a well-balanced diet to ensure that she takes in enough protein, calories, vitamins and mineals for both needs and her baby's growth.
4. The Negative Effects on Breastfeeding of Introducing Partial Bottle-feeding - The Difficulty of Reversing the Decision not to BreastfeedTo prevent diminishing supply of breastmilk, supplementary feeding or bottle-feeding should not be given too early. This is an important point to remember because once a decision is made to stop breastfeeding, it is difficult to reverse.
5. Advice and Support of Breastfeeding by Working MothersEven for working mothers, breastfeeding can continue. The breastmilk can be expressed for someone else to feed her baby while she is working. Breatmilk can be refrigerated. However, it must be warmed before feeding and never feed an infant leftover milk. In order to maintain the milk supply, the mother must either breastfeed or express milk frequently.
THERE IS NO MILK LIKE MOTHER'S MILK!
