Diet is essential to your baby’s growth, especially during the first year of life. So what is the mode of feeding a newborn child during this extremely important period?
Breastfeeding
About 62% of mothers were breastfeeding on leaving the maternity ward. Less than one-third of mothers continue to breastfeed after one month. About 5% to 10% of mothers continue to breastfeed after 2 months. Finally,98% of women breastfeed their babies for the first 3 months. And 48% of the women breastfeed for more than 9 months.
Health professionals highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for infants, especially in the first 6 or 12 months. Breast milk is the food specially adapted to the digestive system of the baby. because it is rich in antibodies that allow it to fight against bacteria and viruses. And, during the growth of a baby, the composition of breast milk will transform to adapt to the nutritional needs of the infant.
You can continue breastfeeding even after the 6th month when the baby begins to eat solid foods. The medical community is convinced that the health of babies benefits greatly from a mixed diet that brings together breast milk and solid foods. During the period from the 6th to the 12th month.
Although breast milk is considered the food of choice for a baby’s health, not all mothers can – nor do – want to breastfeed. In this case, they can choose another option, that of iron-fortified formula.
But while infant formula approaches breast milk in terms of composition and nutritional benefits for babies, they are not identical. If you choose a formula, make sure it is enriched with iron and contains the necessary vitamins and minerals. Check with your doctor which infant formula is best for your baby.
In principle, the medical community recommends that infants aged 12 months or less do not drink cow’s milk. Because they do not digest it. Moreover, this milk does not bring enough nutritional elements.
Whether you choose breastfeeding, breastfeeding, or breastfeeding, it is recommended that babies be fed one or the other, or a combination of both, in the first 9 Or 12 months of their lives.
In general, if you can breastfeed, it’s best for your baby.
The importance of breastfeeding
Scientific research is still discovering the importance of breastfeeding. Breast milk is complex and inimitable. The gesture of breastfeeding exceeds nutrition. It is a way of communicating with the child.
Breast milk is a living, fresh food that passes from mother to child without any intermediary.
Top 10 importance of breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding perfectly adapted to the needs of the child: it stimulates its physical and intellectual development, and it contributes to the maturation of its digestive system and its immune system. It is also known that each mother produces milk suited to her child’s needs.
- It is very easy to digest thanks to all the non-allergenic active enzymes it contains.And thanks to its proteins perfectly absorbed by the child.
- Breastfeeding provides the amount of minerals and vitamins needed for the baby without harming its kidneys.
- It also provides all the types of fats the child needs: omega-3 fatty acids and other essential fatty acids. which contribute to the development of the small brain and its vision.
- Breastfeeding has a taste that can vary slightly depending on the diet of the mother. which habitues the baby to various flavors.
- It promotes the bonding of the mother and the child, as well as their mutual attachment. And, from birth, skin-to-skin contact caused by breastfeeding reassures and warms the baby.
- Breastfeeding protects the baby: breastfed babies suffer less anemia, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, respiratory disease, colds, ear infections and meningitis than babies who are not. Even when they have one or the other of these diseases. They are less likely to be hospitalized. Finally, they are more protected against several chronic diseases, such as obesity, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, and leukemia.
- It is a gift of nature that most women possess: breast milk is economical, ecological and practical. Whatever their social condition, women can give to their child. And it is, without a doubt, the most ecological food. Since it leaves no waste: neither empty boxes nor polluting residues due to transport.
- It is available immediately, at all times, and it is always at the ideal temperature for the child. There is nothing to buy, to prepare, to warm or to wash. At the same time, breast milk facilitates family outings.It is always ready, whether by plane, restaurant, car or outdoors!
- It is adapted to the needs of the baby: the baby can control the quantities that he ingests by ceasing to suckle when he is satisfied. It can also modulate feeding rhythms and influence milk production as needed (growth spurts).
Vitamin D
Health Canada recommends that vitamin D supplement is given to breastfed babies up to the age of 1 year. The recommended dose is 400 U.I per day. Beware, however, of overdose if you use liquid vitamin D.
Duration of breastfeeding
The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Canadian Pediatric Society all today recommend that infants be fed only with breast milk in the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding can then continue for 2 years and beyond if complementary foods are also included in the baby’s diet.
Benefit of Breastfeeding
The beneficial effects of breastfeeding on maternal (and child) health are related to its duration and exclusivity.The longer the duration of breastfeeding (in a number of months) and the Is exclusive (breastfed only), the greater its beneficial effects. This explains why it is so strongly recommended to exclusively breastfeed the baby for the first 6 months of life.
Read more: 10 Awesome Things About How To Care For Newborn Baby
