Breast Feeding Why It’s The Best Food for Infants

Nutritional Value Breast milk has the right proportion of protein, fat and carbohydrates for the infant. Breast milk has the right proportion of protein, fat and carbohydrates for the infant. Protein content is low compared to cow’s milk Protein content is low compared to cow’s milk Protein composition is higher in whey and lower in casein, making it easier to digest and be absorbed Protein composition is higher in whey and lower in casein, making it easier to digest and be absorbed Human milk proteins contain antibodies which help in disease resistance. Human milk proteins contain antibodies which help in disease resistance.

What about the fat content? Breast milk is the best source of essential fatty acids, an important part of fat. Breast milk is the best source of essential fatty acids, an important part of fat. Fat is also composed of triglycerides Fat is also composed of triglycerides The fat content of breast milk provides 50 % of the calories. The fat content of breast milk provides 50 % of the calories. Fatty acids are higher in breast milk and include important particles which help with brain growth and healthy eyes. Fatty acids are higher in breast milk and include important particles which help with brain growth and healthy eyes.

What about Carbohydrates? Lactose is the major carboyhydrate component of human milk. It makes up about 39% of the calories coming from carbohydrates. Lactose is the major carboyhydrate component of human milk. It makes up about 39% of the calories coming from carbohydrates. Vitamins and Minerals— Vitamins and Minerals— Vitamins are dependent on the mother’s diet and include A,D,C, B complex. All mothers should be taking a prenatal vitamin. Vitamins are dependent on the mother’s diet and include A,D,C, B complex. All mothers should be taking a prenatal vitamin. Minerals include calcium, sodium, iron and potassium. Minerals include calcium, sodium, iron and potassium.

Average Daily Weight and Length Gains Days

Healthy People % of mothers initiate breastfeeding 75% of mothers initiate breastfeeding 50% continue for 6 months 50% continue for 6 months 25% to be breastfeeding at 12 months. 25% to be breastfeeding at 12 months. States achieving the objectives in a CDC survey in 2003 States achieving the objectives in a CDC survey in 2003 Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington

Vitamins and Minerals Breast milk provides all the vitamins and minerals the infant needs with the exception of Vitamin D. Breast milk provides all the vitamins and minerals the infant needs with the exception of Vitamin D. Mothers should continue vitamin supplementation during the breastfeeding months. Mothers should continue vitamin supplementation during the breastfeeding months. Vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU per day should begin in the first few days of life. Vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU per day should begin in the first few days of life.

Vitamins and Minerals (contin.) Vitamin D supplementation should continue until the intake equals 1 quart or 12 months of age. Vitamin D supplementation should continue until the intake equals 1 quart or 12 months of age. Iron supplementation of 1 mg/kg (body weight) is indicated after 4 months of age Iron supplementation of 1 mg/kg (body weight) is indicated after 4 months of age Vitamin B12 deficiency is rare but supplements may be indicated when the mother is a vegan or vitamin B12 deficient. Vitamin B12 deficiency is rare but supplements may be indicated when the mother is a vegan or vitamin B12 deficient.

Best Feeding Practices Frequency of feedings Frequency of feedings 8-12 times during 24 hours 8-12 times during 24 hours Empty the first breast before going to second breast Empty the first breast before going to second breast Hind milk contains more fat and signals the infant to stop feeding on that breast Hind milk contains more fat and signals the infant to stop feeding on that breast Water supplementation is not needed along with formula supplentation. Water supplementation is not needed along with formula supplentation. Adequacy of intake is measured by number of wet diapers (5 or more) and 3-4 stools per day by age 5- 7 days. Adequacy of intake is measured by number of wet diapers (5 or more) and 3-4 stools per day by age 5- 7 days.

More Ideal Practices Water supplementation can decrease the amount of breast milk taken, reducing the number of calories with the risk of the infant developing jaundice and high bilirubin levels. Water supplementation can decrease the amount of breast milk taken, reducing the number of calories with the risk of the infant developing jaundice and high bilirubin levels. Pacifiers should not be used until the breast feeding is well established. Pacifiers should not be used until the breast feeding is well established.

How Do I know when Breast feeding is working? Infant is gaining after an initial weight loss 3-4 days after birth. Infant is gaining after an initial weight loss 3-4 days after birth. Weight loss should be less than 7 % of the birth weight. Weight loss should be less than 7 % of the birth weight. During the first 6 months weight gain is usually 20 grams or 2/3 oz. per day. During the first 6 months weight gain is usually 20 grams or 2/3 oz. per day. During the 6-12 months period weight gain is usually 15 gm or ½ oz. per day. During the 6-12 months period weight gain is usually 15 gm or ½ oz. per day.

The Mother’s Diet Drink extra fluids, especially milk, water and juice. Drink extra fluids, especially milk, water and juice. After 6 weeks increase calories by 400 per day. After 6 weeks increase calories by 400 per day. Caffeine intake should be limited or omitted. Caffeine intake should be limited or omitted. A well-balanced diet of cereals, meat or meat alternates, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products is adequate. A well-balanced diet of cereals, meat or meat alternates, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products is adequate. Continue the prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Continue the prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement.

Returning to Work Breast feeding can be continued after returning to work by pumping and storing the expressed breast milk in two ways: Breast feeding can be continued after returning to work by pumping and storing the expressed breast milk in two ways: Put in a cooled container for 24 hours Put in a cooled container for 24 hours Store in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator for two weeks. Store in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator for two weeks. Stored in the refrigerator for 5 days. Stored in the refrigerator for 5 days.

Summary Breast milk is the ideal food for infants up to 12 months of age. Breast milk is the ideal food for infants up to 12 months of age. Weaning from the breast should be done gradually and if before 12 months the infant should receive an iron fortified formula. Weaning from the breast should be done gradually and if before 12 months the infant should receive an iron fortified formula. Breast fed infants need a vitamin D supplement beginning shortly after birth. Breast fed infants need a vitamin D supplement beginning shortly after birth.

References Breast Feeding. Ch. In Bright Futures, Nutrition 3 rd ed American Academy of Pediatrics. Breast Feeding. Ch. In Bright Futures, Nutrition 3 rd ed American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding. Breast feeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics 2005; 115(2) American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding. Breast feeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics 2005; 115(2)