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If you're looking for a way to steer your new baby clear of common childhood maladies, then consider breastfeeding. Each year, there is new research touting the benefits of feeding the natural way. Consequently, more and more American moms take such claims seriously. According to one recent report, the rate of breastfeeding in 2001 was at the highest level recorded to date. "It's really not the benefits of breastfeeding - it's the dangers of artificial feeding," says Dr. Lawrence Gartner, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) section on breastfeeding. "After all, breastfeeding is the natural and normal way one would feed an infant." "One of the key issues that's come to light (in 2002) regarding breastfeeding is proof that prolonging the duration of exclusive breastfeeding to six months has advantages to the infant's health," says Dr. Gartner. "It creates a protective effect against diarrhea, and there are even unpublished reports that it helps in the prevention of respiratory disease." Doctors have known for a long time that the immunologic benefits of mother's milk help prevent a host of health problems from allergies to ear infections, meningitis and even sudden infant death syndrome. Prior to 1997, the AAP suggested that mothers breastfeed exclusively for two to three months. Today their recommendation is "about" six months, depending on the baby. Some infants are not ready to take other foods until they are 7 or 8 months old, explains Dr. Gartner. A few children may be ready earlier. Around 6 months of age, babies need foods with additional iron, such as fortified cereals, vegetables and meat. The AAP policy statement goes on to urge mothers to continue breastfeeding in combination with baby foods until the end of the first year. The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least two years. Early in 2002, some concern arose from a cluster of breastfed children in Georgia who developed rickets due to lack of vitamin D. However, Dr. Gartner assures that the infants' conditions were not caused by breastfeeding. Even though babies don't get enough vitamin D from breastmilk alone, they should get the additional amount needed by simple exposure to sunlight - a natural source of the vitamin. For cultural reasons, fear of sun damage and other reasons, these babies did not get the sunlight their bodies needed. Other discoveries made in 2002 that point to the values of breastfeeding include a study revealing that the long-chain fatty acids that occur naturally in breastmilk are an important factor in brain and retinal development. The findings were so significant that within months, new and improved baby formulas with DHA became available on store shelves. In Denmark, researchers found a relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and IQs: The longer moms nursed, the higher their child's IQ. The benefits of breastfeeding are sometimes in mom's favor as well. A recent review of medical data from 30 countries found that breastfeeding can reduce a woman's chances of getting breast cancer. "There are hundreds and hundreds of components in human milk that are not in cow's milk or formula," says Dr. Gartner. "Babies don't ever need formula if they're being breastfed." Breastfeeding isn't always viable, but if it's something that you are determined to do, start as soon as your baby is born and immediately seek help from a lactation specialist if there is a problem latching on. Michele Piazzoni is a freelance writer and mother of three living in Folsom. She is a regular contributor to The Early Years and, in the Family News section, Getting Started...To reach her: mpiazzoni@hotmail.com. 5 breastfeeding tips 1. Start at the beginning: Start right away, advises Patty Carlton, certified lactation consultant at UCI Medical Center. "It's common to have the baby taken away to the nursery and sometimes hours can go by before the baby can get to the breast, but the sooner the baby can get to the mom the better." Studies have shown that bonding between mother and child begins within the first half-hour after birth, when the two are placed together for skin to skin contact. What better way to enhance that bonding than breastfeeding? 2. Room-in: Whenever possible, try to keep your newborn in the room with you if you deliver in a hospital. Why? Because if your baby is moved to the nursery and wakes up hungry while you are sleeping, chances are she will be given a bottle. If you really want to breastfeed, avoid any confusion by giving baby the breast only. 3. Quality over quantity: A newborn's tummy is very tiny, reminds Carlton, so it doesn't take a lot to satisfy him. And don't worry during those first few days before your milk comes in - the clear liquid colostrum is good for your baby. 4. Watch your baby, not the clock: A newborn should be breastfed every two to three hours, but don't hold off if he seems hungry after just an hour, says Carlton. Breastfeeding is best when done "on demand" and it won't take you long to recognize when your baby is demanding to be fed! 5. Get support: It can be overwhelming trying to cook dinner, watch other children or complete just about any task when you have to stop in the middle and nurse for a half an hour. That's why it's important to get support from your partner as well as family and friends. Unfortunately, women who don't get this support often have to stop breastfeeding earlier than they would have otherwise. - By Michele Piazzoni |
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