BREAST FEEDING

By OBIAOZU FAVOUR SOPURUCHI

Breast feeding is the process by which a woman breast milk is fed to a child . Breast milk is produced by mammary gland located in the breast of a human female. Breast milk is the best food for infacts. over 135 million babies born every year, only 42 percent are breast fed within the first hour of life and 58 percent of mother’s continues breastfeeding up to the age of two years and beyond.

Medical experts like American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) recommends breastfeeding for at least a period of Six(6) months ,while WHO recommends that breastfeeding begins within the first hour of a baby’s life. The first milk is called the COLOSTRUM which is thick, and yellowish .it helps a newborn baby’s digestive tract that helps to digest breast milk.
The second milk is called the TRANSITIONAL MILK that starts from 10- 15 days after birth which gives your baby all the nutrition needed.

Also some of the positions for breastfeeding include
CRADLE POSITION: Resting the baby’s head on the crook of your elbow with their whole body facing you and SIDE LYING POSITION which is the best position used at night.

Breast milk contains some nutrients like vitamin C , iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, sodium and potassium that keeps the baby safe, clean and serves as antibodies.
Breast milk in children decreases respiratory tract infection, sudden infant death, and diarrhea. Breast feeding in mother’s helps to burn extra calories which helps to reduce pregnancy weight breast cancer, metabolic syndrome and helps to build mutual relationship between mother and child.

Nevertheless, exclusive breastfeeding is the best way to feed a child but it needs support and can be difficult some times because it can be painful and stressful if your baby eats frequently .