Hi aa007,
First, I want to bring your attention to the agency below. Any
breastfeeding research would be incomplete without this:
La Leche League
MAIN PAGE: http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html
INFO PAGE, INCLUDING FAQ's: http://www.lalecheleague.org/bfinfo.html
Alphabetical FAQ Subject Index: http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/FAQSubject.html
The La Leche League is the oldest and most informative agency
worldwide for informationa and assistance re: breastfeeding. Their
mission: ..."To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through
mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education
and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important
element in the healthy development of the baby and mother..."
Attempts to improve upon nature?s own feeding system have been
unsuccessful. At best, it is a poor alternative. Here are the reasons:
At a BARE MINIMUM, you want to breastfeed the baby directly after
birth for the first few days. The reason for this is the "first milk"
: Colostrum...
Colostrum is different from the later breast milk, and is full of
Mom's antibodies which protect the baby and give baby's immune system
a jump-start.
What is colostrum? Does it benefit my baby in any way?
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/colostrum.html
Please read this informative article at the La Leche League web site.
All About Colostrum
(note the pull down menu for many other breastfeeding articles)
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/breastfeeding_colostrum.html
..."What is Colostrum?
During the first couple days after birth, you will produce breast milk
known as colostrum. At about the third or fourth day, you will produce
mature milk. Colostrum is laden with nutrients that provide important
health benefits for your baby. It is so nutritious that some mothers
even buy mammal colostrum to feed their children during the spring,
when mammals calve.
Health Benefits of Colostrum
Colostrum is high in antibodies that help keep your child healthy. And
it is high in carbohydrates and protein while being low in fat. It's
easily digestible by your child so that it places no strain on the
gastrointestinal tract. It also coats the newborn's permeable
intestinal tract so as to prevent the baby's sensitization to foods
the mother eats.
Colostrum is rich in leukocytes, white cells that fight against
viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
During your pregnancy, your baby received the antibody immunoglobulin
B (IgB) through your placenta. Colostrum provides him with another
antibody, immunoglobulin A (IgA). This works as a safe and effective
vaccine. It protects the intestines, throat and lungs from infection.
While mature milk doesn't carry as many nutrients, your baby will
drink it in bigger quantities. Remember, you only have a few days of
colostrum production, so be sure to capitalize and latch your baby on
soon after birth..."
Beyond the first few days, there are many benefits of breasefeeding
vs. bottle/formula feeding. The first, is that breast milk is made
for human babies. You take it with you everywhere, no bottles or
supplies. IT IS FREE. It is the proper temperature and does not need
to be heated. It is natural, and easier for the baby to digest --baby
is less likely to develop colic, and will have less gas. It has the
proper ratio of fat, sugar, water and protein.
The normal length of time most women breastfeed is 6-18 months, with a
year on average. Some women breastfeed as long as 3-4 years, and
although there is nothing wrong with this length of time, it is
outside the normal range.
The La Leche League says this;
How long should a mother breastfeed?
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/bflength.html
..."A mother and her baby should breastfeed for as long as they wish
to breastfeed. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends
that "breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter
for as long as mutually desired." * As solids are introduced, usually
around the middle of the first year, your baby will shift his primary
source of nutrition from your milk to other foods..."
Here's a page that discusses the benefits of breastfeeding at
different intervals after birth:
How long to breastfeed
http://www.childfun.com/breastfeeding/howlong.shtml
..."The first few days: benefits of colostrum.
The first few months: perfect food, perfect preventive medicine.
Two to six months (the "reward period"): comfort, security, nutrition, health.
Six months to one year: Beginning solids; nursing more and more for
comfort, security, and health, gradually less and less for nutrition.
The second year: comfort, security, health.
The third year and beyond: a cherished memory. ..."
The Benefits of Breastfeeding
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/breast.html
..."Babies are less subject to lower respiratory infections, urinary
tract infections, ear infections and septicemia. Also, virtually no
baby is allergic to breast milk, while certain substances in cow's
milk can trigger allergic responses.....straight from the breast it is
always sterile, never improperly prepared, contaminated or
spoiled.....helps a mother bond with her baby.....it uses up extra
calories, making it easier to lose the pounds gained from pregnancy,
and may lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. (More at the
link)
Benefits of Bottle feeding:
1) Father Involvement.
2) Mom has more freedom.
3) Mom does not have to worry about her diet (or passing on
prescription drugs through feeding.
4) No embarrassment. Some women are nervous about breastfeeding in public.
Keep in mind that the father can feed a breastfed baby milk that the
mom has expressed, or feed the baby water. In regards to nervousness,
there is always a private place to feed a baby.
Alternatives to deciding to bottle-feed so dad (or someone else) can feed the baby:
http://www.childfun.com/breastfeeding/dadfeed.shtml
A great page of alternative solutions.
I recommend this book:
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0452279089/103-7799697-1773430?v=glance
..."The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a comprehensive resource guide
providing just about everything you need to know about how--and
why--to breastfeed your baby. Latch on to this book for step-by-step
guides to early months, common concerns, problems, and weaning.
Additional sections on general nutrition, sleep issues, going back to
work, discipline, and fathering are useful for all breastfeeding
mothers. Unfortunately the black-and-white photos are not always as
clear as they should be, and the informative line-drawings are too
scarce..."
Here's a FREE 7 day course on Breastfeeding:
http://www.safebreastfeeding.com/
There are all sorts of additional concerns and topics relating to
breastfeeding, way too numerous to mention here, however, the link I
gave you at the la Leche League covers them ALL. Here it is again:
Alphabetical FAQ Subject Index: http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/FAQSubject.html
This is one of my favorite topics because I breastfed both my
children, and feel strongly that breastfeeding is best. I fed my first
child for only 6 months because I was pressured to quit by relatives
that had all done bottle-feeding. I fed my second child for a year,
and we stopped because she was ready to stop. How can you tell? You
can, that's all I know.
If I can assist you further on the topic, _please_ don't hesitate to
ask via the "Request For Clarification" feature.
Sincerely,
~~Cynthia
Search terms used at Google:
"benefits of colostrum" breastfeeding
"breastfeeding" "bottle feeding"
"breastfeeding" vs "bottle feeding"
breastfeeding vs formula |
