INFANT FEEDING
There is no other time in life that one’s
nutritional needs are greater than in
infancy. During that first year of life, a
baby will triple his or her birth weight.
Feeding your baby will be vital not only to
physical health, but also to emotional
well-being. The closeness that you will
share when feeding your baby will be
fulfilling to both of you.
You will need to make some big decisions
when it comes to feeding your baby. Both
breastfeeding and bottle-feeding have pros
and cons that you will need to consider.
There is no one right answer. This chapter
will provide you with information on both
options so that you can make the right
decision for you and your baby.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING
It is widely accepted that
human breast milk is the best possible food
for infants. The nutrients in breast milk
are easily digestible and properly balanced
to suit a baby. Breast milk provides natural
protection to baby against such conditions
as ear infections, allergies, diarrhea,
pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and meningitis.
Infant formulas provide similar nutrients as
breast milk, but don’t provide the same
enzymes and antibodies that are beneficial
to a baby’s health.
There are also many
practical advantages to breastfeeding
including:
There is little cost
involved
-
Human milk needs no
preparation unlike formula
-
it is instantly available
at any time
-
To a nursing mother,
breastfeeding makes it much easier to
get back into shape physically after
giving birth by using an additional 500
calories per day
-
It provides direct
skin-to-skin contact between you and
your baby
When breastfeeding is
going well between a mother and her baby,
there are few disadvantages for the baby.
However, it can be extremely challenging and
demanding for some mothers. Disadvantages of
breastfeeding are:
-
Risk of mastitis
(infection) or painful blocked milk
ducts
-
Cracked nipples
-
Fatigue
-
Breastfed babies sleep
shorter durations than bottle fed babies
-
Feeding responsibility
cannot be shared with partner or others
LACTATION CONSULTANTS
Lactation consultants are
trained medical professionals that
specialize in providing information and
support for breastfeeding mothers and their
babies. They often work in conjunction with
your doctor or a hospital. When selecting a
lactation consultant, look for the initials
IBCLC after their name. This stands for
International Board Certified Lactation
Consultant. This is the most widely accepted
credential in lactation consultation
services.
BREAST PUMPS
Once breastfeeding is
going well, and the milk supply is
established, you may consider expressing
milk utilizing a breast pump. There are two
main types of breast pumps – manual and
electric. Manual hand pumps are widely
available at most drug and baby stores. They
are generally lightweight and good for
occasional pumping. They usually pump one
breast at a time.
If you are going to pump
on a frequent basis, you may want to
consider purchasing or renting an electric
pump. Electric pumps stimulate the breast
more effectively than hand pumps and are far
more efficient at pumping milk. However,
they are more expensive. If you will need a
pump for a limited amount of time, it is
more economical to rent a pump from a
hospital or medical supply store.
When shopping for an
electric pump, consider one that expresses
milk from both breasts at the same time. As
well, make sure that all parts on the pump
that come in contact with your skin or your
milk are easily removed for cleaning and
sterilization.
Breast milk should always
be stored in sterile containers such as
bottles or storage bags. Milk that is to be
given to the baby can be safely stored in
the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Milk,
to be used after this, should be stored in
the freezer. It can be stored for two months
safely in the back of a freezer. It’s
helpful to label the milk with the date it
was pumped. To thaw frozen milk, place the
container in warm water until it is
approximately room temperature. Microwave
ovens should never be used to heat milk as
they heat unevenly.
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