Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with
breast milk directly from female human breasts. Babies have a sucking reflex
that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Experts recommend that children be
breastfed within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfed for the first six
months, and then breastfed until age two with age-appropriate, nutritionally
adequate and safe complementary foods.
breast milk directly from female human breasts. Babies have a sucking reflex
that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Experts recommend that children be
breastfed within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfed for the first six
months, and then breastfed until age two with age-appropriate, nutritionally
adequate and safe complementary foods.
Breastfeeding
is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and
development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process
with important implications for the health of mothers. As a global public
health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first
six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.
is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and
development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process
with important implications for the health of mothers. As a global public
health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first
six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.
Thereafter,
to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive
nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding
continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive highly recommended
from birth except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive
breastfeeding results in ample milk production.
to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive
nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding
continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive highly recommended
from birth except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive
breastfeeding results in ample milk production.
Advantages
of Breast Feeding
of Breast Feeding
a.
To
the Child
To
the Child
Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for
infants. It has a early perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat – everything
your baby needs to grow. And it’s all provided in a form more easily digested
than infant formula. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight
off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having
asthma or allergies. Plus, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6
months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses,
and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor.
infants. It has a early perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat – everything
your baby needs to grow. And it’s all provided in a form more easily digested
than infant formula. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight
off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having
asthma or allergies. Plus, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6
months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses,
and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor.
Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ
scores in later childhood in some studies. What’s more, the physical
closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with
you and feel secure. Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount
of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children.
scores in later childhood in some studies. What’s more, the physical
closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with
you and feel secure. Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount
of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children.
b.
To
the Mother
To
the Mother
Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can
help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin,
which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine
bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian
cancer. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too.
help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin,
which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine
bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian
cancer. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too.
Since you don’t have to buy and measure formula,
sterilize nipples, or warm bottles, it saves you time and money. It also gives
you regular time to relax quietly with your newborn as you bond.
sterilize nipples, or warm bottles, it saves you time and money. It also gives
you regular time to relax quietly with your newborn as you bond.
Weaning
Weaning
is when a baby transitions from breast milk to other sources of nourishment.
When to wean is a personal decision. Mothers may be influenced by a return to
work, her health or the baby’s, or simply a feeling that the time is right. Weaning
a baby is a gradual process that calls for patience and understanding from both
you and your child.
is when a baby transitions from breast milk to other sources of nourishment.
When to wean is a personal decision. Mothers may be influenced by a return to
work, her health or the baby’s, or simply a feeling that the time is right. Weaning
a baby is a gradual process that calls for patience and understanding from both
you and your child.
Deciding
When to Wean
When to Wean
The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the
first six months after birth — and breast-feeding in combination with solids
foods until at least age 1. Extended breast-feeding is recommended as long as
you and your baby wish to continue. Still, when to start weaning your child is
a personal decision.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the
first six months after birth — and breast-feeding in combination with solids
foods until at least age 1. Extended breast-feeding is recommended as long as
you and your baby wish to continue. Still, when to start weaning your child is
a personal decision.
It’s
often easiest to begin weaning when your baby starts the process — which might
be sooner or later than you expect. Changes in breast-feeding patterns leading
to weaning often begin naturally at age 6 months, when solid foods are
typically introduced. Some children begin to seek other forms of nutrition and
comfort at around age 1. By this age, children typically eat a variety of solid
foods and might be able to drink from a cup. Other children might not initiate
weaning until they become toddlers, when they’re less willing to sit still
during breast-feeding.
often easiest to begin weaning when your baby starts the process — which might
be sooner or later than you expect. Changes in breast-feeding patterns leading
to weaning often begin naturally at age 6 months, when solid foods are
typically introduced. Some children begin to seek other forms of nutrition and
comfort at around age 1. By this age, children typically eat a variety of solid
foods and might be able to drink from a cup. Other children might not initiate
weaning until they become toddlers, when they’re less willing to sit still
during breast-feeding.
You
might also decide when to start the weaning process yourself. This might be
more difficult than following your child’s lead — but can be done with some
extra care and sensitivity.
might also decide when to start the weaning process yourself. This might be
more difficult than following your child’s lead — but can be done with some
extra care and sensitivity.
Whenever
you choose to start weaning your baby from the breast, stay focused on your
child’s needs as well as your own. Resist comparing your situation with that of
other families, and consider rethinking any deadlines you might have set for
weaning when you were pregnant or when your baby was a newborn.
you choose to start weaning your baby from the breast, stay focused on your
child’s needs as well as your own. Resist comparing your situation with that of
other families, and consider rethinking any deadlines you might have set for
weaning when you were pregnant or when your baby was a newborn.
Weaning
does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Some women choose to wean
during the day and breastfeed at night, depending on their work situation and
their schedules. Some children wean themselves earlier than the mother had
intended and some babies are resistant to weaning when the mother is ready.
does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Some women choose to wean
during the day and breastfeed at night, depending on their work situation and
their schedules. Some children wean themselves earlier than the mother had
intended and some babies are resistant to weaning when the mother is ready.
Weaning
is easier if a child has also taken milk from another source. So try giving an
occasional bottle of breast milk to your little one once breastfeeding is
well-established — even if you plan to continue breastfeeding, this can
facilitate weaning later. This also allows other family members to feed the
baby and also makes it possible to leave your child with a caregiver.
is easier if a child has also taken milk from another source. So try giving an
occasional bottle of breast milk to your little one once breastfeeding is
well-established — even if you plan to continue breastfeeding, this can
facilitate weaning later. This also allows other family members to feed the
baby and also makes it possible to leave your child with a caregiver.
As
you start to wean, remember that your child needs time to adjust to drinking
from cups. So be patient as your little one begins exploring the world of food.
you start to wean, remember that your child needs time to adjust to drinking
from cups. So be patient as your little one begins exploring the world of food.
The Best Way to Begin Weaning
When
you start the weaning process, take it slow. Slowly tapering off how long and
how often you breast-feed each day — over the course of weeks or months — will
cause your milk supply to gradually diminish and prevent discomfort caused by
engorgement. If you do experience engorgement during the weaning process,
however, apply cold compresses to your breasts to help decrease swelling and
discomfort.
you start the weaning process, take it slow. Slowly tapering off how long and
how often you breast-feed each day — over the course of weeks or months — will
cause your milk supply to gradually diminish and prevent discomfort caused by
engorgement. If you do experience engorgement during the weaning process,
however, apply cold compresses to your breasts to help decrease swelling and
discomfort.
Keep
in mind that children tend to be more attached to the first and last feedings
of the day, when the need for comfort is greater. These feedings might be the
last ones your child drops. As a result, it might be easier to drop a midday
breast-feeding session first. If you’re weaning a child age 1 or older,
consider not offering this feeding and seeing if he or she requests it. After a
lunch of solid food, your child might become interested in an activity and
naturally give up this session. Once you’ve successfully dropped one feeding,
you can start working on dropping another.
in mind that children tend to be more attached to the first and last feedings
of the day, when the need for comfort is greater. These feedings might be the
last ones your child drops. As a result, it might be easier to drop a midday
breast-feeding session first. If you’re weaning a child age 1 or older,
consider not offering this feeding and seeing if he or she requests it. After a
lunch of solid food, your child might become interested in an activity and
naturally give up this session. Once you’ve successfully dropped one feeding,
you can start working on dropping another.
You
might also choose to wean your baby from breast milk during the day but
continue breast-feeding at night. Remember, it’s up to you and your child.
might also choose to wean your baby from breast milk during the day but
continue breast-feeding at night. Remember, it’s up to you and your child.
