What Is Breast Milk?
Breast milk is the nutrition that nature has provided and is packed with everything required for the baby until six months of age. It is an ideal food for newborns. Breast milk is safe, clean, and contains antibodies that protect babies against many childhood illnesses. Breast milk production changes in volume and composition according to the time of the day, nursing frequency, and age of the baby to promote healthy growth.
What Is the Composition of Breast Milk?
Breast milk is composed of water, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Each of these nutrients plays a vital role in the development of infants.
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Water: The human body depends on water to function. Water helps maintain hydration, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, and protects other organs. Human breast milk is composed of 90 percent of water.
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Carbohydrates: The main carbohydrate in breast milk is milk sugar, otherwise known as lactose. Human milk contains more lactose than cow's milk.
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Lipids: Lipids are the source of energy, cholesterol, and essential fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These nutrients are necessary for developing the baby's brain, nervous system, and vision. Lipids make up four percent of breast milk.
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Proteins: Proteins in breast milk are easy to digest for babies. These proteins are also essential for every stage of the human life cycle.
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Antibodies: The primary antibody in breast milk is secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). It coats the baby's lungs and intestines and seals them to prevent germs from entering the body and bloodstream.
Why Is Breastfeeding Necessary for the Baby?
Breastfeeding is necessary as:
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It keeps the baby's body healthy.
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It supplies essential nutrients needed for the body in proper proportions.
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It protects the baby from developing allergies, sickness, and obesity.
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It is easily digested and does not cause diarrhea, constipation, or stomach upset.
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Babies have healthier weights as they grow.
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Breastfed babies score high on IQ (intelligence quotient) tests.
Why Is Breastfeeding Important for Mothers?
Mothers who breastfeed
1) Have a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and certain cancers such as breast cancer.
2) May find it easier to reach their usual weight maintained before pregnancy.
3) Strengthens their bond with their children.
What Are the Other Important Facts to Know About Breastfeeding?
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A healthy newborn baby has to be started on exclusive breastfeeding as early as possible after birth and continued till six months of age.
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Until six months, breast milk alone will take care of all the nutritional needs.
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Breast milk gives water and energy to the baby and helps in growth.
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It also contains various factors that are essential for brain growth.
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It helps to build immunity and prevent infections.
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Studies have shown numerous benefits of breastfeeding, like preventing the development of asthma, diabetes, and obesity later in life.
How to Breastfeed a Baby?
The following steps help to breastfeed a baby.
1) Mothers need to wash their hands before they start. They must sit in a comfortable position with their back straight and lap flat.
2) Find the correct breastfeeding position. Lay the baby across the lap, supporting their head, shoulders, and body in a straight line. Position the nose opposite to the nipple and allow the head to tilt back by supporting it with one hand. Use the other hand to hold them on their side.
3) Line up the baby's nose with a nipple. The baby's mouth should open wide enough to cover the nipple and the lower part of the dark areola.
4) Make sure that the baby has a good breastfeeding latch. The baby will tilt their head back, and their chin will be touching the mother's breast. The baby should take a mouthful of the breast, and the breast should go towards the roof of the mouth.
5) Check for swallowing. When the milk begins to flow, the mother can hear the baby's swallowing and see their jaws moving. As the flow increases, the mother can notice some tingly sensation in the breast.
6) To satisfy the baby's hunger and demand, let the baby feed as long as needed. The more the baby drinks, the more milk the breast produces. If the baby still needs more milk, a mother can offer the milk from another breast.
7) Babies can swallow some air while breastfeeding. Winding them brings the air up, and the milk goes down by preventing painful trapped wind. The best time for burping the baby is in the middle of a feed or after.
What Advice to Give to Breastfeeding Mothers?
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Exclusive breastfeeding till six months completion that is not even water, oral medicines can be given when prescribed or supplements in low birth weight babies.
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After six months of completion, start giving other feedings and breast milk because by now, growth is increasing, and breast milk will not be sufficient.
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Breastfeeding mothers have to consume more calories (one extra meal) and enough fluids to have breast milk secretion sufficient for their baby.
How Can One Determine Whether a Newborn Is Getting Enough Milk?
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Consistent Feeding: In addition to promoting healthy growth, frequent and efficient feedings also help mothers produce enough breastmilk for their child's next feed.
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Swallowing: The infant will suck quickly to start the milk flow when they first latch onto the breast. However, as soon as they get going, they will start to suck slower and deeper as they take the milk in and swallow it.
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Appears Content: The baby is probably getting enough milk if the baby appears content after nursing. On the other hand, if they seem lethargic or are losing weight, it could indicate that the infant is still hungry regardless of breastfeeding.
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Weight Fluctuation: A newborn's weight fluctuation in the first few days of life is common. A baby's weight usually returns to its birth weight by day 10.
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Softer Breast: After feeding, the breasts ought to feel softer. To increase the amount of milk available for the next feeding, try to empty the breasts as much as possible.
What Should a Mother Do if She Feels Her Child Is Not Getting Enough Milk?
If breastfeeders address most of their problems early on, including low supply, the majority of them can be resolved more simply. It can be beneficial to speak with a lactation consultant even if mothers are not sure if there is a problem. Mothers need to think about hand-expressing their milk if they are concerned that their baby is not receiving enough. The expressed milk can be given to them straight from a cup or teaspoon.
What Is the Calorie Count of One Ounce of Breast Milk?
Each ounce of milk has a different amount of calories. Breast milk typically contains 22 calories per ounce on average. Mothers have to burn calories for their bodies to create breast milk. In addition to the calories in the milk, their body typically burns an additional 20 % of its energy.
What Is the Recommended Amount of Breastmilk for a Newborn?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that most babies feed every two to three hours and consume one to two ounces of breast milk each time. This amount rises to two to three ounces every feeding when the baby turns 2 weeks old.
Conclusion:
Breastfeeding is an act that provides benefits both for the mother and the child. Breast milk, produced by the mammary glands present in the breast of a female, serves as the primary source of nutrition for newborns. This breast milk contains fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and antibodies essential for the baby's growth. By these vital components, breast milk provides immunity and prevents the development of infections in a newborn to have a healthy body forever.
