Breast is Best
Not what you think. Just a plug for breastfeeding. After seeing mothers struggle with it for the last two months, I know it isn't easy...but it's worth it. Here are just a few (of the ever growing) reasons why:
"Epidemiologic research shows that human milk and breastfeeding of infants provide advantages with regard to general health, growth, and development, while significantly decreasing risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases. Research in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other developed countries, among predominantly middle-class populations, provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection,otitis media, bacteremia, bacterial meningitis, botulism, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis. There are a number of studies that show a possible protective effect of human milk feeding against sudden infant death syndrome, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, lymphoma, allergic diseases, and other chronic digestive diseases. Breastfeeding has also been related to possible enhancement of cognitive development."
www.wellstart.org with a link to the American Acadamy of Pediatrics policy statement on breastfeeding.
Some tricks for successful breastfeeding.
1. Football hold-hold the baby with his body under your armpit and let the nipple fall into his mouth.
2. Unwrap him-if he is too warm and cozy he will fall asleep
3. Hold the top of his neck- instead of the back of his head. Holding the back of the head creates a reflex to pull back away from the breast. Position his head by holding the sides of his skull bones just below the ears.
4. Wait until his mouth is wide open - then latch him right on. His mouth should cover the areola, not just the nipple. This could take up to 20 tries. Be patient.
5. Get help early - there are probably lactation specialists who you can access through your pediatrician. The ones I've met have been wonderful...and make a huge difference.
5.5. No pacifier for the first week until breastfeeding is established. Helps minimize "nipple confusion."
6. Only breast milk for the first six months of life.
"Epidemiologic research shows that human milk and breastfeeding of infants provide advantages with regard to general health, growth, and development, while significantly decreasing risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases. Research in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other developed countries, among predominantly middle-class populations, provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection,otitis media, bacteremia, bacterial meningitis, botulism, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis. There are a number of studies that show a possible protective effect of human milk feeding against sudden infant death syndrome, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, lymphoma, allergic diseases, and other chronic digestive diseases. Breastfeeding has also been related to possible enhancement of cognitive development."
www.wellstart.org with a link to the American Acadamy of Pediatrics policy statement on breastfeeding.
Some tricks for successful breastfeeding.
1. Football hold-hold the baby with his body under your armpit and let the nipple fall into his mouth.
2. Unwrap him-if he is too warm and cozy he will fall asleep
3. Hold the top of his neck- instead of the back of his head. Holding the back of the head creates a reflex to pull back away from the breast. Position his head by holding the sides of his skull bones just below the ears.
4. Wait until his mouth is wide open - then latch him right on. His mouth should cover the areola, not just the nipple. This could take up to 20 tries. Be patient.
5. Get help early - there are probably lactation specialists who you can access through your pediatrician. The ones I've met have been wonderful...and make a huge difference.
5.5. No pacifier for the first week until breastfeeding is established. Helps minimize "nipple confusion."
6. Only breast milk for the first six months of life.
posted by S. at 9:18 PM
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