Breast Feeding
by Doctor Laurence H. Miller on 07/22/11
They say that when it comes to feeding a new baby, " Breast is best." How did this saying come about? First of all, if we look at it from evolution, the system is well tested and has been the main way of feeding for a million or so years. In fact, bottle feeding has only been around for about 100 years. Breast milk is always served at the right temperature for the baby and is fresh, never sour. It is possible that what mother ate in the prior hours to feeding may change the flavor of milk a bit, but that variety might actually increase a baby's enjoyment of different solid foods and their tastes when they are eventually offered. Breastfeeding clearly protects the infant by boosting the immune system with the antibodies and immune cells from the mother. It was hoped that children genetically prone to allergy would be protected from this problem if breastfed, but this has not been shown. What is clear, is that severe gastrointestinal infections ALMOST NEVER strike breastfed babies. This could mean a matter of life and death in Third World countries. It is well documented that breastfed babies tend to be heavier than "bottle" babies at their first birthday. They then tend to be lighter than bottle fed babies by the second birthday, and for the rest of childhood. It's advantageous to gain more weight early on as this protects the infant in case of illness during the first year. And it's better to be less predisposed to obesity in childhood. This is achieved by breastfeeding.
Formula companies are endlessly tryi;ng to imitate breast milk. The latest venture involves DHA which is an unsaturated fatty acid found naturally in breast milk. It appears to improve vision and possibly general brain function. If a mother breast feeds her baby, she can be assured this nutrient will be supplied in exactly the right concentration for her child.
The biggest problem today surrounding breast feeding is starting it from birth successfully. Many mothers want to breast feed but are prevented from doing so by fear of failure. The sabotaging of their efforts may come from well meaning relatives who express concern that the baby might not "get enough milk". If the mother feeds her baby often, right from birth, the odds of success go up. By "often," I mean even every one to two or three hours between feedings, as long as the mother has the energy and is ready to do it. A wise lactation consultant answers the question how one knows it is time to feed an infant under two weeks old: When the baby is awake! If you wait until they are crying, you waited too long! An upset baby isn't likely to take a good feeding, or LEARN how to suck properly on the breast. We call it "latching on".
The consultant strongly advised against offering supplemental bottles for the first several weeks. That's because "nipple confusion" is extremely common when a baby gets formula in a bottle alternating with the breast feedings. The baby loses patience with the mother. Her milk doesn't come into his mouth as fast as with the bottle of milk. Soon, the infant may refuse to suck on the mother's breast at all. Most mothers will simply give up at this point, feeling the baby has rejected the breast, and prefers the bottle. But a few years ago, one of the mothers in my practice who has diabetes was incorrectly told by the hospital nurses that she could not breast feed and they started the baby on formula. When the baby was almost one month old, I advised her it was fine to breastfeed and SHE SUCCESSFULLY SWITCHED OVER to breastfeeding by persisting to offer the breast frequently. IN a MONTH OLD INFANT! In fact, if the mother completely stops the bottle at this point and offers her breasts every one to two hours, ninety per cent of babies will be successfully breastfeeding again with one or two days. All mother needs to do to be sure baby is getting enough is to watch for wet diapers. About three urinations in a day assure adequate milk
Many mothers suffer from sore nipples the first week of breast feeding. This is made worse if mother feeds more than 15 minutes per side at a feeding. (The baby gets 90% of the milk in a breast within 10 minutes of feeding. Any longer than that is for comfort AND to PRIME the breast to INCREASE its milk production to keep up with the baby's increasing needs as the days pass.) Several baby supply companies make a NIPPLE SHIELD that is a thin soft membrane to slip over the nipple. It has perforations in it and when the baby sucks on it, the breast milk comes through the holes for the baby to swallow. The little cushioning provided by the shield can turn intolerable pain into bearable discomfort. In a few days, the breast is conditioned, the pain gone and the shield no longer needed.
Till what age should a baby be breastfed? As long as the mother feels it is right for her and her baby. Some mothers stop when a baby is one or two months old, and some kids are breastfed until one or two years old or older. It truly is nobody's business but mother and baby. Sometimes a mother is unsure what to do when a baby gets teeth and painfully bites down on the breast. If the mother quickly pulls the breast away each time with a disapproving look and firmly says, "No, don't bite", most babies quickly learn to refrain from clamping with teeth.
