Cattle milk, formula milk, human milk bank, etc. do not have enough nutrients for the physical development of the baby.
Modern women are not so interested in feeding their babies. So they look for alternatives to breastfeeding.
Formula milk has made it easy. Only the formula milk available in the market will satisfy your baby’s hunger.
Some people are also feeding cattle milk. But there is nothing equal to mother’s milk.
Mother’s milk is a precious gift for a baby. There is no alternative to it.
Every baby and mother’s nature is different. For any baby, own mother’s milk is special. Because the mother’s milk comes according to the physical and mental needs of the baby.
It not only quenches the baby’s hunger and thirst, but also provides complete nutrition for its physical and mental development.
Therefore, one mother’s milk is not suitable for another baby.
Nutrients that are present in one mother’s milk are not exactly the same in another infant.
Therefore, mothers should breastfeed their babies. No other food element can supply the baby with the necessary milk.
Formula milk does not contribute to the infant’s antibodies
If possible, the mother should breastfeed her baby regularly for two years. But in some cases, mother’s milk may not come.
Breastfeeding can be difficult.
In the case of breast cancer, what to do if there is no milk?
Thats why formula milk is made as an alternative to this. Formula milk is produced based on the nutrients found in mother’s milk.
Formula milk is prepared according to certain standards by combining the amount of protein, vitamins, minerals and fat in mother’s milk. It gives nourishment to the baby.
Mother’s milk does not contribute to the production of antibodies. When taking formula milk, it should be taken with high liquid protein.
Breast milk contains 70 percent liquid protein, which plays a role in the physical development of the baby and prevents constipation.
Cattle milk should not be given to the baby
If possible, cow’s milk should not be given to infants under one year of age. The World Health Organization has said not to give milk to cattle for two years.
However, in our Asian countries, there is a misconception that the child will be strong when given cow’s milk.
In fact, it is said not to give cow’s milk because it is made for the calf of the cow. Human babies cannot digest this milk. A cow’s calf doubles its weight in 50 days.
Whereas the weight of a human baby doubles in just 6 months. Cow’s milk contains three times more protein and fat than mother’s milk.
Therefore, when feeding cattle milk, the infant’s digestive system is immature and cannot digest it. Later there may be kidney problems. Could be a protein allergy.
When the infant is two years old, cow’s milk can be given along with other foods.
What is found in mother’s milk?
Mother’s milk is 90 percent water. Therefore, it is said not to give water to babies up to 6 months.
Apart from water, proteins, fats, mother’s antibodies, minerals, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamins A, D and E including phosphorus, magnesium, iodine and many minerals and fats and energy are obtained from milk.
Various studies have shown that the risk of diabetes is reduced by 40 percent in babies who are regularly breastfed by their mothers, the risk of middle ear infections is reduced by 50 percent, chest infections and colds are reduced, and the risk of blood cancer is also reduced.
Apart from that, the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is reduced by 35% in babies aged two to four months or babies under one year of age.
Up to what age should breast milk be fed regularly?
Only mother’s milk should be given to the baby for 6 months after birth. After that, milk should be fed for two years as much as possible.
If the milk is still good after two years, it is considered good to finish the day.
How long to give breast milk?
Milk should be given as soon as the baby asks for it. He should be fed milk when he cries, screams and does not sleep. That is a sign of hunger.
Whole Nutrition
The baby gets all the nutrients it needs from the mother’s milk. The health condition of the mother can make a difference.
If the mother is healthy, well-rested, calm, and well-nourished, milk provides all the nutrients.
Until the child reaches two years of age, the mother does not eat nutritious food, does not have a balanced diet, while living a stressful life, the milk may not be fully nutritious.
If breastfeeding is a problem
The baby cannot breastfeed because the milk does not come out or the nipple is stuck inside. There is also an option for that.
In that case, the doctor also teaches the method of how to pull the nipple.
They should encourage the baby to suck milk by pumping the mother’s milk in different ways.
If the baby does not suck, the milk will not come and gradually the milk will dry up. That’s why babies are deprived of breastfeeding even if they don’t practice because the nipple is inside and it’s difficult.
Nutrition of lactating mothers
Doctors and nutritionists do not prescribe anything to eat this and not to eat that. But society has its own beliefs.
It is said that this is not to be eaten, that is not to be eaten, and even that is believed, which may not be true.
If you eat food that causes cold, food that is in the refrigerator, the child will also get cold. So you should pay attention to these things.
Food is not something that should be eaten. Vitamins and minerals in fruits should be eaten at the same time.
Fenugreek, musuro dal, jawano jhol, dry fruits, sewai in milk and eating dry fruits also helps in milk production.
It is better to eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, iron, and minerals five times a day as much as possible.
Human Milk Bank option only
This human milk bank was brought in view of the situation where it is impossible to consume mother’s milk. This mother’s milk is stored.
It also depends on the child whether he accepts other mother’s milk or not.
Although the nature and needs of every mother and child are different, it is a good way to supplement with other mothers’ milk rather than not being able to consume your own mother’s milk.
When feeding milk from the human milk bank, there is a decrease in intimacy with the mother.
Breastfeeding also benefits the mother
What many people do not understand is that breastfeeding is beneficial for the mother. While it benefits the mother equally.
First, it helps to establish a strong bond with the baby. Similarly, the mother’s weight decreases during breastfeeding.
Studies show that the risk of cervical and breast cancer is significantly lower than that of non-breastfeeding.
If the baby is fed milk daily, it also acts as a natural contraceptive.
If you do not breastfeed, blood cholesterol may get high, but if you breastfeed, it will be under control. Hormonal changes in the mother also cause post-mortem depression.
All that baby activity, breastfeeding, looking at the baby will decrease.
What do the statistics say?
The data of Nepal Demographic Health Survey has shown that the number of breastfeeding in Nepal is comparatively decreasing.
According to statistics, in 1996, 76 percent of mothers breastfed. It was 53 percent in 2006, 68 percent in 2001, increased to 70 percent in 2011, 66 percent in 2016 and decreased to 56 percent by 2022.
It is found that the number of breastfeeding is decreasing. Similarly, in 2022, out of 1,926 infants up to 23 months of age, 55.3 percent were breastfed within one hour of birth.
Similarly, out of 527 children aged 0-6 months, 56.5 percent of infants are breastfed enough.
To know more about benefits of Breastfeeding you can watch the video below by Intermountain Healthcare.
#Health #Breastfeeding
Also read: