What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Infants?
Breastfeeding is the method of feeding a baby with mother's milk. Studies have shown that breast-fed infants develop healthier, with effects including boosting immunity, boosting intelligence, reducing the incidence of sudden infant death, reducing childhood obesity, reducing the risk of allergic diseases, and more. Over the past few decades, there has been increasing evidence that breastfeeding is good for health, and suggestions for putting it into practice have continued to increase. Currently, the World Health Organization believes that breastfeeding can reduce child mortality and that its health benefits can continue into adulthood. On a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is the recommended method of feeding infants, followed by continuous breastfeeding and the addition of appropriate supplements until age 2 or older. To enable mothers to practice and maintain exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, the World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that breastfeeding be started within the first hour of birth.
Basic Information
- Chinese name
- Breastfeeding
- Explanation
- Ways to Feed Your Baby with Mother's Milk
- Effect
- Enhance immunity and intelligence
- Pay attention
- Active breast care before pregnancy
- Time
- First six months of life
1. Pure breastfeeding, that is, the baby should not have any other food or drink, even water, except breast milk;
2. Breastfeeding when needed, that is, when the baby needs it, whether day or night;
3. Do not use bottles, teats or soothers.
Breast milk is the baby's first natural food. It provides the energy and nutrients needed by the baby for the first few months after birth, and breast milk also meets half or more of the baby's nutritional needs in the second half of the year before the baby is 1 year old. And in the year the baby is 2 years old, breast milk provides one third of the nutrition.
Breast milk is good for sensory and cognitive development and protects infants from infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding can also reduce infant mortality from common childhood diseases such as diarrhea or pneumonia, and help infants recover quickly after becoming sick.
Breastfeeding is also good for the health and well-being of mothers. It also helps to extend the interval between childbirth, reduce the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, increase resources for families and the country, and is a safe feeding method. The environment is safe.
While breastfeeding is a natural behavior, it also requires learning. Numerous studies have confirmed that mothers and other caregivers need active support in initiating and continuing appropriate breastfeeding. The World Health Organization and UNICEF launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1992 to strengthen maternal practices to support breastfeeding. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative has contributed to improving the status of exclusive breastfeeding worldwide and supports the health system as a whole, which is conducive to continued breastfeeding for mothers.
Breastfeeding time limit
Duration of breastfeeding:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, for optimal growth, development and health, infants should be fully breastfed during the first 6 months of life, ie only breastmilk. "Complete breastfeeding" is defined as not feeding any food or drink other than breastmilk, not even water. However, babies are allowed to take drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and drugs). Breast milk is an ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process and has an important impact on the health of the mother.
The World Health Organization recommends that infants start receiving supplementary foods other than breast milk when they are 6 months old (180 days). Food should be appropriate, that is, it should provide enough energy, protein and micronutrients to meet the nutritional needs of children's growth. Food should be prepared and fed in a safe manner to minimize the risk of contamination.
The transition from full breastfeeding to full use of family food is a very fragile period. At this time, many infants are suffering from malnutrition, which has significantly contributed to the high incidence of malnutrition among children under the age of five worldwide. It is therefore critical that infants have access to adequate, adequate and safe supplementary foods to ensure a proper transition from breastfeeding to full use of family food (Table 1).
Table 1 | Infant Consumption |
age | Food texture | Feeding frequency | Consumption per meal |
6-8 months | Feed the paste and charge at the beginning | 2-3 meals per day, plus frequent | 2-3 soups per meal |
Divide mashed food, then | Breastfeeding, according to children | Spoon, gradually increased to 250 |
Feed mashed home food | Appetite, can provide 1-2 small meals | 1/2 cup of ml |
9-11 months | Chopped or mashed | 3-4 meals per day, plus | 250 ml cup / bowl |
Food and baby | Breastfeeding, according to children | 1/2 of |
Up food | Appetite, can provide 1-2 small meals |
|
12-23 months | Chopped or mashed (if any | 3-4 meals per day, plus | 250 ml cup / bowl |
Essential) family food | Breastfeeding according to child's stomach | Of 3/4 |
|
| Mouth, can provide 1-2 small meals | |
Breastfeeding feeding benefits
Benefits of breastfeeding:
1. The benefits of breastfeeding for offspring
The advantages of breast milk are numerous: it is rich in nutrients, easy to digest and absorb, and the three major nutrients of protein, fat, and sugar are in appropriate proportions, suitable for the growth and development of infants under 6 months of age; breast milk has low mineral content, low buffering power, and is good for stomach acid Weak and weak effects are good for digestion; low load of kidney solute is good for protecting kidney function; breast milk is rich in immune factors such as SIgA, lactoferrin, bifidus factor, and lysozyme, which can prevent intestinal infectious diseases in infants; Breast milk also contains taurine that promotes brain development, nucleotides that promote tissue development, DHA that enhances vision, and more. Breastfeeding can also promote mother-child relationship; it is beneficial to the healthy growth of the baby; at the same time, it can stimulate uterine contraction and promote mothers' early recovery (Table 2).
Table 2 | Benefits of breastfeeding |
Reduce the incidence or severity of | May have protection against the following diseases |
diarrhea | Sudden neonatal death syndrome |
Lower respiratory tract incidence | Type 1 diabetes |
Otitis media | Inflammatory bowel disease |
Bacteremia | Lymphoma |
Bacterial meningitis | allergy |
Porter infection | Chronic gastrointestinal disease |
Necrotic colitis |
|
Urinary tract infection | |
After the baby is born, when it sucks the mother s breast, it first comes into contact with the aerobic bacteria that need oxygen on the mother s nipples, followed by the anaerobic bacteria in the breast tube that can survive without oxygen, and then suck milk. Physiological breastfeeding is the process of feeding bacteria and then breast milk. This process can promote the establishment of the normal flora of the baby's intestine, which is not only conducive to digestion and absorption of breast milk, but also promotes the maturation of the immune system and prevents the occurrence of allergies.
Specific benefits also include:
(1) Breastfeeding is conducive to the healthy growth of babies. Breast milk, especially colostrum, contains the rich nutrients that babies need. It is an irreplaceable high-quality milk for any dairy products. Babies can suck breast milk, which is very beneficial to the healthy growth of babies. Yes, it can be said to be harmless.
(2) Breastfeeding is conducive to strengthening infants' immunity and immunity. Breast milk, especially colostrum, contains a lot of antibiotics that babies need to fight infections. Therefore, if the baby sucks breast milk, it will strengthen the baby's resistance and immunity, and make the baby less sick or not sick.
(3) Breastfeeding is conducive to infant digestion and healthy development. Because breast milk has many advantages, and the nutrition is balanced, the best ratio is the advantages that other foods do not have or not completely. Therefore, the use of breastfeeding method is conducive to the digestion of babies, and promotes the healthy development and healthy growth of babies.
(4) Breastfeeding is conducive to improving mother-child emotion. As the saying goes, mother and child are connected. New mothers can stimulate the mother's care, affection, and affection for the baby by stimulating the baby's nipples. The baby feels warm and close to the mother by sucking breast milk. It is both safe and happy. . Therefore, the emotions between mother and child are constantly communicating and progressing in this delicate way, and they are continuously enhanced and sublimated.
(5) Breastfeeding is economical. Breast milk is not only good for the healthy growth of babies, but also good for new mothers. It is also cheaper and more affordable than other feeding products.
(6) Breastfeeding is quick and easy. The benefits of breastfeeding are many. It is not only economical, but also convenient and fast. It is worthy to eat and eat, it is very convenient, and it is very suitable for infants who eat less and eat more. Because infants do nt eat like adults, they do it regularly. Babies eat when they are shouting. They cry more often when they are slow. If they are fed with other foods, it is difficult to meet these requirements and conditions. Only breastfeeding owners can adapt Satisfy.
(7) Breast milk is clean and safe. Breast milk is beyond reproach, it is the best food for feeding babies. It is safe, clean, non-toxic, and without any side effects. It is a natural "safe granary" for new babies.
(8) Breastfeeding can reduce and reduce infant allergies. Because breast milk is clean, safe, non-toxic, without any side effects, and has natural antibiotics, antivirals, etc., breastfeeding can greatly reduce and reduce the occurrence of various allergies in infants. If you use other alternatives for feeding, it will inevitably produce all kinds of allergies, which will cause the baby to eat uncomfortably, sleep upset, and uncomfortable life, which will affect the healthy growth of the baby.
2. The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers
Breastfeeding is conducive to maternal health. The new mother changes her body and spirit through labor. If breastfeeding can be adopted after childbirth, it can help the mother's uterus recover, reduce vaginal bleeding, prevent postpartum anemia, and promote physical recovery. At the same time, it also helps to delay the pregnancy of new mothers.
Breastfeeding can reduce women's chances of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Existing scientists have conducted investigations, statistics, and analysis to find that when comparing breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding new mothers, those who use breastfeeding have a significantly lower chance of developing ovarian cancer and breast cancer than those who do not use breastfeeding. New moms. Studies have shown that the length of time breastfeeding a child is an important factor that affects the risk of breast cancer in women, even exceeding genetic factors. The study found that women who breastfeed each of their children for more than six months can reduce their risk of breast cancer by 5%, even if they have a family history of breast cancer.
Women who breastfeed their babies lose weight faster and more significantly than women who give their babies non-breastfeeding postpartum.
Effects of breastfeeding drugs
Effects of the drug on breastfeeding:
Many mothers' medications can also affect babies through milk. Not all drugs in the blood can get into milk because there is a blood-milk barrier between the breast and the blood. Drugs with molecular weights above 200 do not easily enter milk. Drugs with low binding to plasma proteins, that is, free-form drugs, easily enter milk. Non-dissociable fat-soluble drugs easily enter milk. Some drugs that can dissociate are salts composed of bases. In an alkaline environment, the fat solubility is increased and it is easy to enter milk. Other drugs can actively penetrate the blood-milk barrier and enter milk through a combination with a carrier.
The following principles should be followed when taking medicine for breast-feeding mothers: try not to use medication, and when it is necessary, choose the medicine that has the least impact on the baby; use the medicine that has a short duration of action to reduce the accumulation of the drug; apply it during or immediately after breastfeeding Avoid breastfeeding at peak drug concentrations in the blood (milk); breastfeeding should be temporarily discontinued if drugs that are harmful to the baby must be applied (Table 3).
table 3 | Effects of drugs on breastfed babies |
drug | Reported response |
Acebutolol | Hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia |
5-aminosalicylic acid | diarrhea |
Atenolol | Cyanosis, tachycardia |
Bromocriptine | Inhibit lactation |
aspirin | Metabolic acidosis |
Clomastine | Drowsiness, irritability, refusal to eat, high frequency crying, stiff neck |
Ergotamine | Vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness |
lithium | Fetal blood concentration accounts for one-third to half of the therapeutic amount |
Phenylindane dione | Anticoagulation |
Phenobarbital | Sedation; spasm; methemoglobinemia |
Perimetone | Sedation; feeding difficulties |
Salicylazine | Bloody stools |
Breastfeeding
The right way to breastfeed:
1. Actively perform breast maintenance before pregnancy
From the 5th month of pregnancy, often wash the nipples and areola with soap and water, and apply a layer of oil on the cleaned nipples and areola to make the breast skin gradually tough; cover the breast with a hot towel and gently hold Massage around your breasts in a circular motion with your fingertips; wear a loose bra to prevent overtightening of the mammary glands and the ciliaries on the bra from blocking the mammary ducts; apply grease on the nipples after each bath, use your thumb and fingers Gently stroke the nipples and ask your doctor for effective ways to correct the inverted or flat nipples.
2. Milk the baby as soon as possible after childbirth
According to the new rules of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, the baby should be fed as much as possible 30 minutes after the birth, and the newborn and the mum should share the same bed, so as to feed them on demand according to the principle of irregular and irregular breastfeeding, so that the baby can get the most Precious colostrum. Although Mummy may be physically and mentally exhausted and her breasts do not feel bloated, be sure to let your baby suck breasts early to avoid losing the best time.
3. Breastfeed your baby at any time
It is not necessary to prescribe the number, interval, and amount of breastfeeding at first. It should be held whenever the baby cries or feels that it should be fed. The baby can eat as much as she can, so that the prolactin in the mother's body can be eaten. Increased secretion, which increases the amount of lactation, and can also prevent mummy mastitis, and prevent the baby from eating breast milk. If your mummy is weak or has a sore wound, you can breastfeed in the lateral position. However, it is not recommended to feed the baby frequently in the future, otherwise it will affect the baby's jaw development and cause deformities in the future.
4. Pay attention to the correct feeding position when feeding
Help the baby to suck most of the nipples and areolas. This can effectively stimulate the lactation reflex, so that the baby can eat milk more easily. At the same time, be careful not to leave a gap to prevent air from entering. When feeding with a bottle, the milk should be completely filled with teats. After breastfeeding, it is best to let the baby lie on the adult's shoulder, pat the baby's back with his hand, pat the baby, and then put the baby down. It is best to lay the baby's head to one side after putting it down, so that it is not easy to cough even when spitting milk, and avoid vomiting from being sucked into the trachea.
5. Scientific and reasonable intake of rich nutrition
In order to have strong milk secretion and excellent nutritional content, the heat energy and nutrient requirements of the mommy are also relatively increased, so you should eat a few more meals a day, and 4 to 5 meals are more suitable; pay special attention to drink more soups that can promote lactation , Such as stewed pork rib soup, stewed chicken soup, stewed trotters, tofu soup, green vegetable soup, etc .; it is best to drink water or other drinks between meals. If you have little or no milk, don't give up easily. Ask your doctor to recommend special lactation meals or medicated meals. But the more you eat, the better, because you spend more time in bed during confinement and less activity, and you eat mainly high-calorie or fatty foods. If you ingest too much, not only will you not be able to increase lactation, but it will reduce your milk due to gastrointestinal upset.
Breastfeeding considerations
Other notes:
1. If breast milk is insufficient or breastfeeding, a certain amount of formula for premature infants can be given under the guidance of a doctor, and the formula can be gradually transitioned to regular formula based on the results of infant physical development testing.
2. When breastfeeding, most mothers do not have menstruation or irregular menstruation, but it does not mean that the mother does not ovulate. Therefore, attention should be paid to contraception while breastfeeding. Strict contraception is required within 12 months of full-term vaginal delivery and within 24 months of cesarean delivery. For breastfeeding mothers, contraceptive methods can be chosen to use contraceptives (condoms), intrauterine device contraception (select the type without drugs), oral contraceptives or safe contraception should not be used. Because oral contraceptives reduce or even eliminate lactation, safe contraception is simply not safe.
3. In the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B", it is quite clear that "newborns can receive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -positive mothers after being injected with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. breast-feeding". The mother of the three-positive hepatitis B wants to breastfeed, provided that the child is injected with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth and produces hepatitis B surface antibodies, otherwise it is not suitable for breastfeeding. Hepatitis B women can detect HBsAg in breast milk, but no HBVDNA has been detected in breast milk. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the breast milk is infectious. As long as the mother's nipples do not burst and bleed, breastfeeding is possible, but before breastfeeding Mothers should wash their hands with soapy running water to reduce the chance of exposure to transmission; most studies have shown that HCV is less likely to be present in the milk of HCV and HCV-positive women, and it is possible to feed the baby, but if the nipples are broken Bleeding, you should stop breastfeeding. It should be pointed out that the hepatitis virus exists in the saliva of the pregnant women, so the pregnant women should not feed the children mouth to mouth, and pay attention to disinfection and isolation.
Myths about breastfeeding
Myths about breastfeeding:
Myth 1: Fear of obesity
After giving birth, most modern women are eager to restore their slender figure. Many new moms even refuse to breastfeed their babies after giving birth because of fear of sagging breasts and out of shape.
Maternal supplementation is the main cause of stature. As the so-called "one person eats two people", if you can insist on breastfeeding, you can provide excess nutrition to the baby to maintain supply and demand balance. In addition, the sucking process of the baby reflexively promotes the secretion of oxytocin from the mother, and promotes the contraction of the mother's uterus.
Myth 2: Fear of fatigue
Newborns have the strongest sucking reflexes between 20 and 30 minutes after birth, in the first hour after birth. There are many new mothers who lack enough milk. One of the reasons is insufficient stimulation of the breasts. In the first one or two days after delivery, the stimulation of the baby's breasts will not only help the baby to adapt to the feeling of nipples sucking, develop good sucking habits, but also stimulate the secretion of breast milk to ensure a sufficient supply of milk during lactation. Regardless of whether the baby is delivered by cesarean or caesarean section, as long as the mother grasps the correct posture of holding the baby and breastfeeding, there is no need to worry about pulling the wound.
Myth 3: Fear of pain
Some moms don't want to feed because of breast and nipple pain during feeding. Breast pain and cracked nipples are actually caused by improper feeding methods. The WHO's Ten Measures to Promote Successful Breastfeeding are as follows:
(1) There is a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health workers.
(2) Provide necessary technical training for all health personnel to enable them to implement this policy.
(3) Tell all pregnant women about the benefits and treatments of breastfeeding.
(4) Help mothers start breastfeeding within half an hour after giving birth.
(5) Instruct mothers on how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation if they need to be separated from their babies.
(6) Except breast milk, it is forbidden to eat any food and drink for infants unless there is medical indication.
(7) Putting mothers and infants in the same room, allowing the baby and mother to be together 24 hours a day.
(8) Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
(9) Do not suck the pacifiers of breast-fed babies or use them as a comforter.
(10) Communicate the established information of breastfeeding support organizations and transfer discharged mothers to these organizations.
