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Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a personal decision that deserves careful and thorough consideration. Breastfeeding is the natural nutritional source for infants less than one year of age.
Most health care professionals recommend breastfeeding for your baby's first year (including the American Academy of Pediatricians and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners).
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the first 6 months of life. It contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, and provides digestive enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and hormones that infants require. Breast milk also contains antibodies from the mother that can help the baby resist infections.
Experts agree that breastfeeding your baby for any length of time, regardless of how short, is of benefit to you and your baby.
You can provide your baby with breast milk by either breastfeeding or by feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle.
Breastfeeding your baby (directly from the breast):
Feeding your baby breast milk (which has been expressed):
Most doctors advise strictly breastfeeding for the first couple of weeks, until breastfeeding is firmly established, rather than switching back and forth to a bottle. This recommendation is based on the possibility of nipple confusion, which can cause sucking and feeding problems for infants who are switched between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. After two months of age, most babies adapt to bottle nipples easily.
Breastfeeding is a natural function but is not necessarily a natural instinct for mothers. It’s a little like learning to ride a bike. During the first few weeks, you and your baby may struggle, and occasionally crash and burn. And then one day, you’ll start peddling, and ride for miles -- it will be so easy you won’t understand why you were ever having so much trouble. Keep in mind that most mothers need information about how to feed their babies. Mothers also need support, encouragement, and assistance after birth to enjoy feeding and caring for their babies.
Research indicates that breastfed babies may have less frequent:
In addition, breastfed babies may have less risk of becoming overweight or developing high blood pressure, diabetes, iron-deficiency anemia, and tooth decay. Compared to bottle fed babies, breast fed babies also have slightly higher I.Q.'s.
Moms who breastfeed their babies may enjoy:
Moms who breastfeed their babies should:
If you run into any problems, contact a lactation consultant. Moms who breastfeed may experience:
Moms who breastfeed their babies may feel confused by lack of experience, or may be ashamed to ask for help. However, most problems can be easily managed with guidance from a lactation consultant.
Cow's milk by itself is not an adequate source of complete nutrition for infants. Commercially prepared formulas for bottle-feeding are adequate sources of nutrition for babies that do not breastfeed.
Some circumstances can change your plans to breastfeed. How and what your baby eats may ultimately depend on the infant's physical condition and your health after birth. However, with help from a consultant, most babies -- even premature babies -- can breastfeed.
Some babies are unable to adequately breast feed due to:
See your child's pediatrician or a lactation consultant if you have a breast infection or breast abscess, breast cancer or other cancer, previous surgery or radiation treatment, or inadequate milk supply (uncommon).
Some mothers are advised NOT to breastfeed due to health problems such as:
Health care professionals such as physicians, dietitians, nurses, and nurse-midwives can answer questions about breastfeeding and bottle feeding. As mentioned, breastfeeding is not necessarily "second nature" to either the mother or baby. Many women are greatly helped by advice and tips from others, especially during the first days and weeks after the baby's birth.
One excellent source is La Leche League International. They can be reached at 800-LALECHE and www.lalecheleague.org. They can answer many of your questions about how to hold the baby, what to expect, and challenges you may encounter.
Lactation counselors are specially trained in breastfeeding strategies. They can help you understand the entire process of breastfeeding. One quick consultation is all that most healthy moms and babies need. A trained counselor can detect special situations that may require more time or visits.
Reviewed By: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.