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Last posts on private forums:  sare  2008-06-16 09:56:33 matthew 2008-04-12 21:25:59 pieniadz 2008-04-12 20:52:26
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Last posts on private blogs: matthew 2008-04-12 21:25:17 mary 2008-04-12 19:27:47 |
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Lastly added medical terms:
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You are in: Main Page / Medical articles / Children / Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is defined as a moment where mothers and children feel a unique bond. There are plenty of breastfeeding benefits you should remember about when having a baby. The article provides information about benefits of breast milk and says when to stop breastfeeding.
Recently young mothers feel under pressure to feed babies with their breasts. Is it really healthy and good for the child? Or maybe that's just the new trend?
Breastfeeding has become almost socially demanded in the last few years. Back in the past, breastfeeding was a natural thing but with the appearance of a variety of supplements and powdered milks many mothers decided to feed their babies with them. Nowadays, the trend to feed the baby by mothers' breasts comes back to fashion and that's the tendency very healthy for the children.
Mother's milk is a food that scientists haven't managed to produce in laboratories yet. It contains so many crucial nutrients that it's definitely the healthiest food for children. None, even the best, food supplement will replace the valuable nutrient found in natural mother's food. The value of mother's milk is so high because of the ingredients which strengthen the immune system. They are responsible for creating immunity in children, so crucial through the whole life.
The richest food
Natural mother's milk is rich in plenty of substances that ensure proper child's development. It contains:
- carbohydrates - prevent from setting microorganisms in the mucus of the intestinal tract, have beneficial influence on bacteria in the bowels, block pathogenic strain and absorb the excess of water and electrolytes
- lipids (free fatty acids) - damage lipid capsules of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria and protozoons) which means they prevent from diseases
- nucleotides - are responsible for development of T cells, support development of bowel tissue and fasten child's recovery after diarrhea
- vitamins A, C, E have anti-inflammatory effect
- enzymes have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substances
- it affects growth
- hormones - protect bowels
- cytokines - they are crucial for proper functioning of immune system
- proteins - block bacteria development, support cytokines' functions and act anti-inflammatory
As it is clearly seen mother's milk has beneficiary effects on child and functioning of systems and organs. During the first year of child's life it is the most important to develop immune and gastrointestinal system properly. Bowels are much more important than one may expect, their proper functioning will ensure absorbtion of eaten produce and all nutrients it contains. Research has proved that breastfed children suffer from various diseases less frequently than artificially fed children e.g. SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), leukemia (the risk reduces by 1/4), allergies and infections.
When to stop breastfeeding?
A child should be breastfed until the 6th month. During this period it doesn't need any supplements nor nutritive substances. When a child gets 6-month-old breastfeeding can be limited and additional food can be implemented in the diet. Gradually, when a child's reaches 9th month old mother's milk should be replaced with ordinary food.
The quality of milk depends on mother
The amount of nutrients which a child gets depends strictly on mother. The way she treats herself and the food she eats affects the quality of milk. It is advisable to begin breastfeeding after the labor as fast as possible in oder to avoid problems with feeding. A child's must be fed regularly (8-12 times a day) so as to let our organism adjust to the rhythm of feeding. Apart from that, a child's can be fed for 10-15 minutes in calm surrounding, the close relation with the child is also crucial so as to ensure trust and love. The time of breastfeeding shouldn't be the only child's contact with its mother.
Every woman should take care of her breasts during the whole period of pregnancy. It's crucial to massage them before and after breastfeeding. This will ensure better functioning of breast and is a perfect way of protecting breast from losing the elasticity. Above all, every woman should avoid stress and take plenty of rest because these are also factors which influence the quality of milk. Mother's diet must also be adjusted,
it should be rich in protein, she should also avoid ingredients to which a child's is susceptible e.g. nuts, citrons, sea fish. Mothers should avoid coffee, alcohol and spicy foods.
All medical authorities support the idea of breastfeeding, especially in the beginnings of child's life. Natural food contains plenty of substances which are crucial for proper child's development. That is why the fashion for breastfeeding is more than good, this is a way to provide children with valuable care and protection. It would be unfair not to mention mothers who can't convince themselves to breastfeeding their child, some of them even feel hatred towards this aspect of motherhood. It's good to visit the doctor and learn certain tricks which will help overcome all fears and doubts.
Added by:
mary
not connected with health care system
Added on:
2008-08-05 13:40:46 ,
Updated:
2008-08-05 13:57:36
Bibliography:
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