Breast feeding

The information in these sections is provided to enable you to make an informed choice and hopefully the right choice for you and your baby.

There are many support groups or even medical professionals who will be able to support and assist in the practicalities of breastfeeding.

The Natural Choice...

“Breastfeeding is the most preferred feeding for all infants”, American Academy of Paediatrics.

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing to do. It is one of the most important things that you can do to give your child the very best start in life and it is likely to be the first most important decision you will make about your baby’s health and upbringing. Mothers can take pride that they will be providing the best food for their baby. Most women have a natural urge to breastfeed and there are very few who are not physically equipped to breastfeed. Nearly every woman is capable of pain-free breastfeeding given the right support.

Breast feeding is the natural continuation of your pregnancy and should be considered as an eighteen month experience, nine months in the womb growing your baby, then nine months outside with the baby still being maintained on the natural food sources supplied from your own body.

Breast milk is perfectly formulated to meet your baby’s nutrient needs; cow’s milk is designed for rearing calves.

Breastfeeding is not just the best source of food but also a good source of comfort and security. Click here for more information

Bonding with your child starts here if it has not already happened during pregnancy; it is the most natural way of bonding with your child. The eye-to-eye and skin to skin contact that breastfeeding requires strengthens the attachment between mother and child. Breastfeeding helps mother to get to know and understand their baby. It is an important step in building a trusting relationship that extends well beyond baby years; it is not just the best source of food for a growing baby but the ultimate in terms of safety and security.

One of the best-kept secrets about breastfeeding is that it is as healthy for mother as it is for baby.

Breastmilk is free and always available and its importance is born out of the many benefits that it offers besides those often documented for baby and mother. It is naturally formulated, quick to serve, always sterile and never contaminated by germs.

Many Government bodies and International organisations recognise the importance of breastfeeding from both baby and mother’s perspective.

The World Health Organisation’s recommendation states that infants should be exclusively breastfed (no other drink or food) for the first four to six months of life, while being allowed frequent and unrestricted access to the breast. Beginning around four to six months of age, babies can begin receiving appropriate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.

The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that breastfeeding continue through the first year of life.

The NHS in the UK recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infants life, as it provides all of the nutrients a growing baby needs.
For some these goals may not be realistic but remember, even if you only breast feed your baby for two weeks, that’s better than not breastfeeding at all and will give your baby a better start in life.

Why is Breastfeeding so important?

Breastfeeding is so important because it is the most natural way to feed a newborn baby. Mother’s milk is capable of supplying all of baby’s needs for at least the first six months of life. It is a good idea to wait until at least six months before introducing solids, as allergies are less likely to develop after this period. Even after this period when baby is eating solid foods breast milk is still the most important part of his diet.

It comes out of the breast ‘ready to serve’ and is tailored to the baby’s age and nutritional needs. It is rich in protein at the beginning of the feed, while at the end of the feed it contains more fat. Human milk has the right balance of vitamins, minerals and proteins for the growing baby. The vitamins and minerals in breast milk are bio available, which means that they get absorbed well. The forms of calcium, iron and zinc in breast milk are all better absorbed than with that from formula foods. Breast milk also contains more selenium, which is a very important antioxidant.

Breast milk is a ‘living’ food; it even changes according to the age or status of the baby. Mothers of pre-term baby’s produce milk that is richer in protein than the milk of mothers with full-term babies. As the premature baby grows the milk changes in composition automatically to meet the baby’s needs. Within one month it becomes the same as full-term milk. Breastfeeding continues to be the choice for premature babies.

If you breastfed for at least the first few days after birth the baby will get a healthy dose of colostrum from your milk. In the first few days of life, when the baby is taking only high-protein colostrum, the baby is living under the umbrella of her mother’s antibodies. This colostrum is a different constituency from mature milk it is thick and sticky and provides important disease fighting antibodies that cannot be found anywhere else; it is highly concentrated and easy for the baby to digest. It also provides important nutrients, which can be especially important for sick or premature babies. Your milk changes around the forth or fifth day from colostrum to transitional milk, which is thinner. The milk will still contain these antibodies but not in the same concentration.

Breast milk is more than food it is a complex living substance, a source of natural immunisation. A single drop of breast milk contains around one million white blood cells, these cells hunt out disease and bacteria they help baby to fight off all kinds of diseases, you will not find these living cells in formula food. At birth a newborn does not have an immune system that is sufficiently developed to fight off disease, breast milk fills this ‘immunity gap’ until baby’s system matures and is able to take over. When mother is exposed to a germ she will naturally make antibodies to that germ these are passed to her baby during feeding thus passing these naturally via her milk. Breast fed babies tend to be healthier because of this naturally conferred immunity. About 80% of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Even after the first 10 or so days of breastfeeding, when mature milk is being produced, during a fed there are two types of milk produced: foremilk which is produced at the beginning of the feed, and hindmilk which is produced towards the end of the feed. Hindmilk contains more fat, energy and essential nutrients. It is important that the babies receive hindmilk in order to meet their nutritional needs.

Possibly just as important as the transfer of antibodies are the benefits provided by the essential fatty acids in breast milk that are not available from any other source. Breast milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids and amino acids for human digestion, brain development and growth. There are twelve different fatty acids found in breast milk that are often not found in formula food. These are also obviously provided naturally and in the right proportions. The unborn and developing baby uses essential fatty acids as building materials and sources of fuel for cell function. It has been identified that DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) an omega-3 essential fatty acid is a critical substance in the manufacture of myelin. The myelin sheath is a fatty protective cover that increases the speed and reliability of electrical signals along the nerve fibres it protects. Essential fatty acids provide substances that play a key role in the transmission of signals between nerve cells, or neurons, critical for correct functioning of the brain. During breastfeeding the growing infant can ‘pull’ 11 grams of EFAs from the mother on a daily basis.

These essential fatty acids are particularly critical for optimum development and functioning of the brain and eyes. Click here for more information

Breast milk is also packed with immunoglobulin A (IgA) which functions as antibodies, they ‘line’ the baby’s immature intestines with a protective coating helping to prevent against food allergies. Breast milk is also rich in oligosaccharides which promote intestinal health. Research has established a positive relationship between oligosaccharides and an increase in friendly bacteria in the gut. Breast milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula food, and more importantly babies are never allergic to mothers milk but can have adverse reactions to other food sources.

Breast milk is high in polyunsaturates and low in cholesterol and is more digestible than formula food.

Formula milks are trying to copy the composition of breast milk but nothing can really replace it. It cannot be duplicated artificially. Most formula foods are based on cow’s milk.

Cow’s milk is designed for calves and in comparison with breast milk it has much higher levels of casein and although they both contain the same amount of fat, the droplets in breast milk are smaller. This makes it more digestible and less stressful on the babies delicate gastric system than cow’s milk, babies will be less likely to suffer from digestive problems. This difficulty with digestion can make bottle fed babies sleep longer between feeds and makes their stools smell unpleasant. Breast fed babies can absorb nearly 100% of the protein in their mother’s milk but the percentage for cow’s milk is much lower and the excess protein is excreted in their stools, which is why they smell unpleasant. This has advantages for the family; baby smells better when on breast milk, and their bowel movements and ‘spit ups’ have less offensive odours.

This high casein content in cow’s milk also has a negative effect on bioavailability of iron and zinc.

The sodium levels in cow’s milk is three times higher than in breast milk this can be problematic because the immature kidneys of a newborn baby are unable to deal with high levels.

Cow’s milk is also an intestinal irritant. Some children cannot tolerate cow’s milk either because of the proteins in it or because of lactose intolerance. Both of these exhibit themselves as gastric problems:

• Intolerance to cow’s milk protein symptoms include – vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and rash.
• Lactose intolerance symptoms include – wind (gas), abdominal distension and pain, and diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance is normally the biggest reason to switch to soy based formula foods, the main alternative to cow’s milk formula. The carbohydrates in soy formulas; sucrose and corn syrup are easily digested and absorbed by infants but the protein source is not as good as cow’s milk and minerals such as calcium are not absorbed as efficiently.

Aside from the nutritional and health benefits of breastfeeding it also provides great physiological benefits and the best bonding opportunity for mother and baby. Mother is happy that the time and effort expended in the activity will give their baby the best start in life. They both love the closeness of the eye-to-eye, skin-to-skin relationship. Click her for more information on bonding

Breastfeeding not only makes baby’s healthier it makes them smarter too! It is documented that babies fed for longer on breast milk can have higher IQ levels compared to bottle fed babies.

Additional research has also shown that incidents of death rates for babies fed on formula food are nearly twice as for breast fed babies.

The final consideration is that from an environmental perspective, breast milk is the most ecological food available to humans. There is less consumption of natural resources and landfill space.
It requires:

• No industrial processes to produce
• No packaging involved
• No production costs.

Cost benefits alone have been estimated at between $700 (£400) in food to $2,800 (£1,600) in total, depending on the price of the formula food and equipment used. It is often said that because it is so natural that the low impact to the environment and obvious cost benefits alone; plus the convenience of having ‘milk on tap’ should be sufficient argument despite the overwhelming benefits to mother and child.

On a more practical note breast milk is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can lead to diarrhoea, and, breast milk has never been recalled due to contaminants.

Most importantly breastfeeding is free, always the right temperature, always the right ‘mix’, never contaminated with bacteria, convenient for mother and baby, made for babies, good for babies and good for you.

It’s what breasts were designed for!

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby

• Better formulation - breast milk changes to suit your baby’s nutritional needs, perfectly formulated. It changes to suit premature and sick babies.

• Better absorption - the vitamins and minerals are bioavailable, which means that they are easily digested. Calcium, iron and zinc in particular are much more available to the body in breast milk.

• Best for premature babies – pre-term milk is specially designed for premature babies

• Better mouth formation and healthier teeth - the sucking action that is required means that more muscles are used and this also promotes good jaw development, this can protect against crooked teeth. This has also been linked to better sound formation and less need for speech therapy later on.

• Better immunity – mother transfers antibodies and aids in the development of babies immune system, also a better response to immunisation.

• Better vision – studies have shown that visual development is more advanced in breastfed babies, possibly because of the levels of the essential fatty acid DHA transferred during feeding.

• Better skin – paediatricians have reported that the look and feel of a breastfed baby’s skin is softer and smoother. Formula fed babies have been reported to have rougher, dryer skin.

• Fewer illnesses – documented lower risk of asthma, chest infections, haemophilus influenza type B, pneumonia, meningitis, middle ear infections (glue ear etc.) and septicaemia.

• Reduced gastric / digestive problems - sickness, diarrhoea and tummy upsets are less common in breast fed babies. Risks of diseases such as ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, pyloric stenosis and celiac disease are much reduced.

• Reduced urinary tract infections – breastfed babies have shown reduced incidence of infant botulism, cholera, salmonella and e.coli infections.

• Fewer allergies - reduces or even eliminates food allergies & eczema

• Fewer problems with reflux – whilst all babies ‘spit up’, this is less of a problem with breastfed babies because the stomach is emptied twice as fast as formula fed babies.

• Lower risk multiple sclerosis – MS a degenerative disease that strikes adults is less common in countries where breastfeeding rates are high. This may be due to the contribution breast milk makes to myelin production.

• Lower risk of juvenile diabetes – research shows incidences of diabetes are reduced in breast fed babies.

• Lower risk of heart disease – higher levels of cholesterol in breast milk can lead to reduced risk of heart disease in later life.

• Less obesity – studies that have been carried out in children up to 14 years of age have shown that the risk of becoming obese in later life is nearly 4 times greater for formula fed babies.

• Breast milk helps pass meconium – babies are born with a tar like substance babies in their intestines. Colostrum, which is found only in breast milk, is uniquely designed to help move this substance through the baby’s body.

• Lower risk of SIDS – breast fed babies have been shown to have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

• Natural pain relief for baby - it contains endorphins (chemicals that suppress pain).

• Bonding – it provides comfort and extra closeness that helps bonding and attachment

• Easiest way to put your baby to sleep – breast milk contains a wonderful hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) which induces sleepiness, both in baby and mother.

• Comforting for baby – the closeness comforts and soothes distressed babies and encourages sleep, it is a source of warmth and comfort.

• Better physical development – breast fed babies have been found to have better fine and large motor skill development and better balance and speech.

• Better mental development - research has shown that breast milk enhances brain development and improves cognitive development leading to higher intelligence and higher academic achievement.

Benefits of breastfeeding for Mother

• Good for the figure - research has shown that a woman loses most of the fat that she has accumulated during pregnancy if she breast feeds. (by burning more calories)

• Good for the figure - baby’s suckling helps shrink mother’s uterus after birth, which helps you to regain your figure more quickly.

• Lower rates of breast cancer – breastfeeding mothers can reduce their risk by 25%.

• Lower rates of endometrial, ovarian and uterine cancers – lower estrogen levels during breastfeeding have been shown to have lower rates. For example the risks of ovarian cancer for mothers who breastfeed for a total of 12 to 24 months can be reduced by up to one third.

• Lower risk of osteoporosis – studies have shown that women who have not breastfed have a four times greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

• Boosts levels of prolactin - a hormone that enhances feelings of nurturing and contentment.

• Releases oxytocin - often called the love hormone, triggers "caring" behaviour.

• Decreases the risk of iron deficiency anaemia – delays the menstrual cycle for several months leading to a reduction in ‘bleeding’, but this loss of ‘periods’ cannot be relied upon as a guaranteed form of contraception.

• Relaxing - forces you to slow down. You have to sit down and relax to breastfeed.

• Bonding – extra closeness with baby provides the best opportunity for bonding and attachment

• Economical- no extra cost of formula foods, bottles, sterilising equipment etc.

• Easier- breastfeeding requires no preparation, is available at ay time, anywhere.

• Very fulfilling – studies have shown a reduction in anxiety and depression following birth, it is emotionally satisfying knowing that you are giving your baby the best start in life.
  

Breastfeeding - things to consider – practical considerations

The reality
Breastfeeding is the best start in life that you can offer your newborn baby. It does, however, require a substantial commitment from both mother and family, and, some lifestyle modifications, which can often be difficult to accommodate. Issues such as food, clothes, alcohol intake and smoking all require consideration. Breastfeeding is discontinued for a number of reasons but possibly the most common is the time and commitment it takes. It is wise to seek a local support group that can provide extra assistance, motivation and encouragement. The continuation of breastfeeding requires the mother to be calm, relaxed and comfortable. Although mothers are doing the hard work (and yes it can be tiring sitting in a chair with a baby attached to you for periods of time) it is the support from father and other family members that is critical if breastfeeding is to be successful. Being physically ‘tied’ to a baby for periods of time can sometimes feel like a chore rather than a joy. Breastfeeding does come quite naturally for some mothers but sometimes for others it may need a little effort. The support required from family members is very important but the most important is the care and support from father. He can provide physical and emotional support, he can head off discouragement and negative criticisms from other family members, and he can make mother comfortable whilst breastfeeding with such simple things as providing food and drinks, or even helping with the household chores or with other siblings.

Other family members may become jealous of the intimacy and attachments that occur between mother and baby through breastfeeding and it is often easy to forget that a family’s job is to care for, and support, the mother as well as the baby.

The close physical relationship and strong attachment that occurs does not mean that the baby becomes too reliant and dependant on the mother, on the contrary breast feeding leads to independent, well balanced children. Breast fed babies are often more confident and secure in later life because of the ‘closeness’, support and attention to their needs during this important developmental period. It is not just a good food source but it is also a source of comfort and security; being at the breast is a natural pacifier and ‘security blanket’. Babies turn into confident infants because they become used to, and are comforted by the fact that their needs will always be met immediately in a safe and secure environment. This reinforces trust that must be established for proper bonding, attachment and confidence.

Physiologically mothers can often wrestle with a number of issues: some struggle with the idea of breastfeeding and the use of the breasts in a purely functional manner rather than a sexual one. Others may struggle with the fact that although they are providing their newborn the best a mother can offer, they may feel that they are not spending enough time on other members of the family, this again is where father’s support is essential; to re-assure, comfort and support.

There is also often some stigma involved in breastfeeding. Mothers can feel like social outcasts, in the first few weeks; they may not be able to go out as much as they would like, they can sometimes not find a suitable place to breastfeed and others may ‘frown’ upon their activities. In most social situations people are more comfortable with mothers feeding their babies discreetly. Many states in America and the Scottish parliament have passed special laws affirming a woman’s right to breastfeed in public places.

Modesty could lead to mothers being embarrassed and feeling isolated. People will make ill-informed or inappropriate comments (even perhaps members of your own family) although they may sometimes think they are saying these things in your best interest.

This reality can be very different from the ideal, and disappointing for some breastfeeding mothers but it is best to be prepared for these challenges. Again, support from close family members or friends can be essential if breastfeeding is to be carried on for any reasonable period of time.

There are some practical issues that need to be considered if the breastfeeding experience is a positive one.

Practical issues
Besides the more obvious physical problems of sore or cracked nipples, or psychological ones such as whether you think you are giving your baby enough milk, which you are if you let baby suckle normally (they take as much as they need).

There are a few often-unseen issues that can be missed that can make the ‘difference’ in terms of breastfeeding as a positive experience.
You need to prepare for breastfeeding just as you would with formuIa feeding. Formula feeding requires preparation but will also need food, bottles, sterilisation equipment and perhaps bottle warming apparatus.

There is no preparation required for the ‘food’ element of breastfeeding but you may require basic items such as nipple pads to absorb excess milk or any leakage, and maternity clothing or bra’s to make access much easier and quicker. The less stressed both mother and baby become, the easier it is to breastfeed.

Breastfed babies often spend more time ‘at the breast’ than formula children do feeding; purely because bottle-feeding is functional (the activity only provides food). Breastfeeding however provides food and nurturing. It is common for the baby to snuggle up to mother and fall asleep whilst feeding in this comfortable, secure environment (bonding is a very important aspect of breastfeeding).

Having a baby cradled in your arms for extended periods can take its toll and it is very important that mother is comfortable whilst breastfeeding. Breast feeding cushions are invaluable they take the pressure off of the mother and allow her to relax whilst cradling baby comfortably and safely.

To shop for breastfeeding cushions - Click here

Rocking chairs with arms can also help, the motion relaxes mother and baby and the arms provide support under a breastfeeding cushion.

Sleeping can also be an awkward time. If you do not want to sleep with baby in the bed, the cot should be placed in close proximity so that mother can virtually ‘do it in her sleep’. Breastfeeding is a major benefit to other family members because they may not be woken in the middle of the night. Mother simply attaches the baby and satisfaction is guaranteed!

Other considerations
Mothers need to consider their food intake to ensure they have the correct balance of proteins, nutrients, vitamins and minerals etc. Click here for more information on diet and nutrition

There is no real reason to panic as long as mothers eat small portions, and often, from all food groups.

Diet is important during these times because the baby is drawing off of the mother’s natural resources. A poor diet that is deficient in calories and nutrients will have a negative effect and can lead to the mother feeling tired and irritable and could be detrimental to her health.

The good news is that although eating healthily is important, your body is still able to manufacture nourishing breast milk even if your diet is less than ideal.

The main implication could be a drain on mother’s reserves. Calories are one thing in your diet, nutrients are another. If a mothers diet lacks a nutrient then that nutrient will be pulled from the mother’s body (as in pregnancy). Requirements for nutrients and vitamins change with breastfeeding and it is necessary to increase intake of some to compensate. For instance the levels of selenium and iodine in breast milk is dependent on how much you eat. Nutritional requirements are different for women of childbearing age, for pregnant women and for breastfeeding women (link to section in D & N). Breastfeeding creates unique demands on the mother’s body and a few nutrients are critical. Click here for more information

Things to avoid

Breastfeeding mothers almost always try to analyse their intake to assess how different meals affect their babies. When babies are uncomfortable or crying mothers try to determine what they ate so that they can remove the offending substance from our diets. Most of the time babies cry in reaction to something completely unrelated to what has been eaten. But sometimes, what is eaten does affect how babies feel. Some concern about eating well while breastfeeding is OK but don't be too hard on yourself. It's true that what we eat affects our health and breast milk, some substances can be transferred directly to your baby via your breast milk. There is no harm in eliminating or temporarily avoiding a few foods while you breastfeed. Problems can arise if you eliminate whole food groups such as dairy, citrus fruits, or wheat products. But there are some things that mothers do need to be cautious about: alcohol, caffeine, drugs, and smoking.

ALCOHOL - alcohol you drink can pass into your breast milk. If you cannot avoid it moderate it. Click here for more information

COFFEE – caffeine can accumulate in your babies blood, this may lead to an irritable, sleep-disrupted baby. It is best to moderate sources such as coffee, tea and dark cola’s to one drink a day.

CHOCOLATE - Chocolate is surrounded by folklore, it does contain very small amounts of caffeine but the levels are very much lower than other recognised sources such as coffee. It also contains low levels of nutrients and stimulants. The real problem with chocolate is that it is addictive!

MEDICATION - many drugs pass into breast milk, do not take drugs unless you must; and always consult your doctor or physician before using any prescription or over-the-counter medication. Click here

ILLEGAL DRUGS - avoid all drugs, including marijuana and cocaine. Babies can become addicted. Mothers who can't stop using these substances should stop breastfeeding. Click here

SMOKING - smoking can enter the baby directly through mother’s breast milk or through secondary smoking (passive smoking). Mothers should be discouraged from smoking, as should everybody in the close environment. Click here

There are not many occasions when it is not wise to breastfeed. But if you are HIV positive, or if you are taking any medication that could harm your baby then you should not breastfeed. It is possible for mothers with herpes or hepatitis to breastfeed but it is better to consult your doctor before you do.

To shop for products associated with breastfeeding - Click here

print this page

The Natural Choice...

Why is Breastfeeding so important?

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby

Benefits of breastfeeding for Mother

Things to consider

Things to avoid