Feeding the baby Breast milk has been the standard for all of human history. With the advent of formula, breast-feeding declined from the 1940s to 1970s, when over 75% of American children were formula-fed. Today, about 2/3 of American women leave the hospital breastfeeding, but the figure drops to 30% still breast-feeding 6 months later. Breast-feeding is more common in higher SES.

Advantages of breast milk Contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. Composition of breast milk changes throughout the day to meet baby’s specific needs; also changes as baby matures More easily digested than formula; baby has less stomach upset. Has correct balance of sodium, fat, and protein to put less strain on baby’s kidneys Baby absorbs calcium better with breast milk.

Advantages of breast milk cont. Less risk of allergy to breast milk than to formula, although baby can be sensitive to something Mom has eaten. Constipation almost never occurs in the baby who is breastfed. Babies get essential antibodies that will bolster immune system. Get sick less often. Breastfeeding may prevent obesity in children and adults. Breast milk is free, convenient, and offers Mom some protection against breast cancer before menopause.

Do moms who breastfeed lose weight faster? Mothers who breastfeed must take in an extra 500 calories a day to compensate for calories lost during breastfeeding. Theoretically, breastfeeding Moms should lose weight faster, and it’s always been said to be true. New research suggests that breastfeeding moms lose LESS weight initially than bottle-feeding moms do, but 8 years later, they are thinner than their bottle-feeding counterparts.

Is breastfeeding a form of birth control? Often women who breast-feed don’t ovulate (and thus do not have a period). Some women use breastfeeding as birth control, but this is unreliable. You MAY ovulate while breastfeeding and could get pregnant without meaning to. Breast-feeding moms can take a “mini-pill,” which is a specific version of birth control pills. It’s progestin-only, which won’t harm the baby.

So why would anyone bottle- feed? Breast-feeding is hard work and has some disadvantages to the mother. It’s not easy to learn to breastfeed. It can be painful, too. Nursing moms often have to nurse “around the clock.” Baby eats every 1 ½ hours or so instead of every 3-4 hours like formula-fed babies do. Mom is solely responsible for feeding—can’t get help from others unless she pumps.

More disadvantages of breastfeeding Mother must watch her diet and medication use just as she did while pregnant. Less freedom for her. It’s draining and exhausting, which can lead to postpartum depression. Interferes with sex in several ways: 1) no sex drive; 2) no vaginal lubrication; 3) breasts leak milk during sex Nipples can become sore and cracked. Mom runs danger of developing mastitis.

Advantages of formula Baby isn’t hungry as often; can go longer between feedings Other people can feed the baby, leaving Mom free to do other things. You can gauge exactly how much baby eats and don’t have to worry about whether he’s getting enough. No dietary or medication restrictions; no sexual interference.

Are there IQ differences? Some studies cite a difference of 7 IQ points between bottle-fed and breastfed children (breastfed children having higher IQ) At least 3 longitudinal studies since 1999 have disputed this finding and have found no differences in intelligence, emotional stability, or attachment to the mother between breastfed and bottle-fed children.

Bottom line Breast milk is clearly better for the baby, and the baby likes the taste of breast milk better, too. Breast-feeding is not easier for the mom. If you choose to feed the baby formula, h/she will still be getting excellent nutrition and won’t suffer any damage. Feeding is NOT the primary ingredient to having a happy, healthy baby.

Starting solids Pediatricians recommend starting solids (“baby food”) between ages of 4-6 months, depending on baby’s weight and how easily he can swallow food. Whether you start with fruits or vegetables is a matter of debate. Start one food and wait for 2-3 days to see if baby has an allergic reaction. Also introduce cereal. Add meats last.

Obesity in infancy There’s only a slight correlation that an obese baby will grow up to be an obese adult. Most babies thin out during toddlerhood and the preschool years as growth slows and become more active. Some researchers believe that weight setpoint is set in the first year of life, though.

Malnutrition 40-60% of world’s children are malnourished. Marasmus—a wasted condition caused by a diet low in all nutrients. Appears in first year of life because Mother is too malnourished to produce healthy breast milk. Baby starves and is in danger of dying.

Child with marasmus

Kwashiokor Caused by an unbalanced diet very low in protein Usually strikes after weaning, about 1-3 years of age Common in areas of the world in which children get enough starchy foods but too little protein. Body starts breaking down its stores of protein reserves, causing extreme abdominal swelling and listlessness.

A child with kwashiokor

Effects of malnutrition If child survives marasmus or kwashiokor, he will grow up to be smaller in all body dimensions, and the brain is seriously affected. An improved diet leads to some catch-up growth in height but not in head size. Malnutrition interferes with growth of neural fibers and myelinization, causing a permanent loss of brain weight. These kids score low in IQ tests, have attention problems, and lack of motor coordination.

Malnutrition in America Although American children almost never suffer from marasmus or kwashiokor, 12% still go to bed hungry eery night. Physical growth and ability to learn are still affected by not getting enough to eat.

Non-organic failure to thrive A mysterious condition diagnosed by 18 months of age Child fails to grow because of a lack of parental love and affection Show all the signs of marasmus and just waste away for no biological reason. There is no illness or lack of food to account for the failure to grow. Babies who survive remain small and show lasting emotional and cognitive problems.

Parental profile in failure-to- thrive syndrome Associated with serious caregiving deficits Parents alternate between periods of hostility, impatience, avoidance, and coldness. Often seen in orphanages.

Depressed gaze of a baby with failure-to-thrive syndrome