New mums - To breastfeed exclusively or not?
Having a baby is the most amazing and life changing event ever. It is many things to many people depending on unique life circumstances. To a couple who have been trying for years to concieve, its a miracle. To a teenager who is pregnant out of wedlock, its a burden; but one thing is common to all, it is a huge responsibility and we owe it to our babies to give them the best that we can afford to. And this brings me to the subject of this post -How to nourish babies.
Fig 1: Eastman, A. (2000) Available online at www.moondragon.org
Breastfeeding may pose some challenges to mothers but there are ways to go round these challenges and still breast-feed exclusively for 6 months. I'll talk on these challenges and how to overcome them in a later post.
Also, some mothers may not be able to breast-feed due to some valid reasons. Others may choose not to breastfeed exclusively. So what happens to these babies? They still have to be well nourished. How you choose to feed your baby is your choice and should'nt be judged.
There are always other options. So, join me in a later post where I talk about these alternatives and how to still ensure your baby is well nourished.
Till I catch you later, do stay healthy-pink, well nourished and ensure you keep that baby nourished too.
Dr. Anire Oduko.
Most health care professionals will advice you to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. This is the recommendation from the World health Organisation (WHO). Why? Breast milk is the most nutritious, healthy and safe food you can give to your baby. It is nutritionally complete, containing all the nutrients the baby needs in the right amount and concentration. It is at the right temperature always so you don't have to worry about heating up or cooling so as to be just right for baby. It contains substances that help fight infection, especially the yellowish liquid that comes out first before the milk proper called colostrum.
It protects the baby from constipation because it is not too concentrated. It also protects from diarrhoea because you don't have to worry about cleaning the bottle and teat properly to avoid bacterial invasion which occurs commonly when baby is formula-fed. It costs nothing so you do not have to compromise on quality due to lack of funds.
Breast feeding protects against asthma and other allergic problems. (By the way, today is World Asthma day today. So breast feed your babies exclusively to reduce the risk of asthma).
Breastfeeding also increases bonding between mother and child, helps baby feel emotionally satisfied and loved. Infact the benefits of breastfeeding are immense.
It protects the baby from constipation because it is not too concentrated. It also protects from diarrhoea because you don't have to worry about cleaning the bottle and teat properly to avoid bacterial invasion which occurs commonly when baby is formula-fed. It costs nothing so you do not have to compromise on quality due to lack of funds.
Breast feeding protects against asthma and other allergic problems. (By the way, today is World Asthma day today. So breast feed your babies exclusively to reduce the risk of asthma).
Breastfeeding also increases bonding between mother and child, helps baby feel emotionally satisfied and loved. Infact the benefits of breastfeeding are immense.
However, you have to do it right. Breast-feed exclusively for 6 months without adding water, as breast milk already contains water. You also have to give it on demand and breast-feed for a sufficient amount of time to satisfy the baby. Say 20 minutes per breast or until child signifies he/she is full. You also have to ensure you latch-on the baby correctly. If not it may cause problems for you and baby.
I got some images from the net on how to correctly latch-on your baby. The images are below.
I got some images from the net on how to correctly latch-on your baby. The images are below.
Fig 2: Gotten online from www.justfeeding.com
Fig 3: Londino S. (2013). Available online at www.sandralondino.com
Breastfeeding may pose some challenges to mothers but there are ways to go round these challenges and still breast-feed exclusively for 6 months. I'll talk on these challenges and how to overcome them in a later post.
Also, some mothers may not be able to breast-feed due to some valid reasons. Others may choose not to breastfeed exclusively. So what happens to these babies? They still have to be well nourished. How you choose to feed your baby is your choice and should'nt be judged.
There are always other options. So, join me in a later post where I talk about these alternatives and how to still ensure your baby is well nourished.
Till I catch you later, do stay healthy-pink, well nourished and ensure you keep that baby nourished too.
Dr. Anire Oduko.
Nice....keep it up.
ReplyDeleteThank you smith.
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