Breastfeed or Bottle-feed Infant Formula?
Among your first decisions as a new mom will be whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed infant formula to your little one. This extremely personal decision can be based on a variety of factors that may vary from person to person. Once you weigh those factors, you can make a sound choice for your baby, yourself and your family. This month’s newsletter will discuss breastfeeding and bottle-feeding and hopefully provide information you might want to consider when making your decision.
Breastfeeding:
While researching this topic, it quickly became evident that the large majority of agencies, groups, and associations overwhelmingly supported breastfeeding over bottle feeding formula. These groups include The National Women’s Health Information Center, The Nemours Foundation, La Leche League, the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics and others. Collectively, their sites shared the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, mothers and even society as a whole. The benefits of breastfeeding are not limited to what is shown here, but this list should give you an idea of what proponents of breastfeeding are saying.
Benefits for your baby:
• Breast milk has the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development.
• Breast milk also provides certain antibodies and proteins that can protect your baby from common illnesses, bacteria and viruses.
• Breast milk is said to be easier to digest for infants and is always the right temperature when feeding directly from mom.
• LONG TERM: Studies have shown, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are long term benefits to initial breastfeeding efforts including increased protection against various infectious diseases and reduced post neonatal mortality rates.
Benefits for you, the mommy:
• Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.
• Breastfeeding uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
• Breastfeeding saves time and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!
• LONG TERM: Studies have shown that breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.
Benefits for the community:
• Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
• Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.
• Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.
As you might imagine, breastfeeding does also come with its challenges. A comprehensive list of these challenges associated with breastfeeding can be found at http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=229. Visit the sites posted at the end of this article to read more about the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding!
Formula Feeding:
There are circumstances that do not allow for every mom to breastfeed. Some women may be unable to, due to health conditions or other personal circumstances. Their alternative is to feed their infant’s formula or supplement with formula. Infant formula is a safe way to provide nutrition to your baby.
If you are going to use infant formula, be sure to use a brand that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can check the FDA web site for current information on infant formula in the United States.
The benefits found for formula feeding are concerned less with health and more with convenience.
• Public feedings tend to be easier. Although certainly more acceptable than even 10 years ago, breastfeeding in public can be uncomfortable for mommy and passer bys. Right or wrong, good or bad, personal opinions differ on the topic.
• Feeding the baby can be less time consuming. Although it may vary from infant to infant, bottle feeding can take up to 10 to 15 minutes to complete. While breastfeeding, however, feeding can take up to 10 to 15 minutes on each side.
• Bottle feeding means anyone can feed your baby, unlike breastfeeding where the mother is obviously required to be there. Dad and others can now share in the responsibility of feeding, helping mom get more sleep.
• Bottle feeding allows mom to see exactly how much their baby is eating. While breastfeeding, this is difficult to determine. For some moms, this can be a source of concern.
• Bottle fed babies don't need to eat as often. The milk protein in formula keeps babies full and satisfied longer. So, you will spend less time feeding.
• Bottle fed mothers don't have to watch what they eat or drink and can take medicine without throwing off their baby’s eating habits. While breastfeeding moms must avoid caffeine, alcohol, and medication.
Summary:
Ultimately, the general opinion of health organizations strongly recommends breastfeeding. If you cannot sustain it throughout the infancy of your child, breastfeeding for even the first few months can be a significant benefit to them. Although infant formula can provide infants with necessary nutrients, it can never duplicate the exact chemical makeup of human milk, especially human milk cells, hormones, and antibodies to fight disease. It would seem that if formulas try to duplicate breast milk then why not provide your baby with the real thing. It is true there may be discomfort or inconvenience to a certain degree, but the benefit certainly appears to outweigh the cost. This could be the reason why there has been such an upward trend in breastfeeding over the past generation.
The websites listed below provide an abundance of information on the topic of breastfeeding. The topics include tips, suggestions, laws and rights, benefits and more.
Resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics
The National Women’s Health Information Center
La Leche League
American Pregnancy Association
March of Dimes
Infant Reflux and How You Can Help
Infants can cry for many reasons, hunger, thirst, a loud disturbance or discomfort due to a variety of things. Often times reflux can be the reason for discomfort. This month’s newsletter will discuss infant reflux, what symptoms to look for, and what you can do as a parent to help.
Defining Reflux
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs when the stomach contents flow into the esophagus during or after a meal. This happens in infants due to a weak lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which normally prevents passage. According to the Mayo Clinic and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, more than half of all babies experience reflux in the first few months, however, only a small percentage of cases lead to more serious medical problems and the diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Desease (GERD).
What are the symptoms of GER and GERD?
An infant with GER may experience several symptoms. They include:
• Spitting up or vomiting
• Coughing
• Poor feeding habits or discomfort with feeding
• Irritability
Symptoms that could signify a more serious problem or GERD include:
• Poor growth or little weight gain
• Spitting up more than 2 tablespoons of fluid at a time
• Having fewer wet diapers or appearing lethargic
• Blood loss from acid burning the esophagus
• Signs of illness including fever, diarrhea or difficulty breathing
Fortunately, GERD is far less common; approximately 1 in 300 infants receive this diagnosis. GERD usually necessitates some degree of medical management. If your baby experiences any of the symptoms above, consult a physician.
What can you do to help?
There are several things you can do to reduce the likelihood of reflux occurring. Try the following and see if they help.
o Smaller more frequent feedings – This makes it easier to digest as reflux tends to be worse when overfeeding occurs.
o More frequent burping – This will help them digest more comfortably.
o Be sure to note the foods mom is eating – If breastfeeding, some foods may aggravate reflux more than others. Foods such as tomatoes, citrus, dairy or carbonated beverages may make your baby’s reflux worse. Your diet affects your baby’s.
o Positioning – Place in incline position after feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing your infant on a 30 degree incline after feeding. (The CozyMe Wedge is 30 degrees!)
Try the four simple steps above to reduce the instances of reflux. If the problem persists, be sure to tell your pediatrician so your baby stays happy and healthy! To learn more about reflux you can go to www.mayoclinic.com. To take a short reflux quiz go to http://heartburn.about.com/library/quizzes/bl_infantrefluxquiz.htm.
Disclaimer: The information available on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of your child's reflux. Please consult with your child's doctor or pharmacist before trying any medication (prescription or OTC) or following any treatment plan mentioned. This information is provided only to help you be as informed as possible about your child's condition.
Tummy Time – An Essential Activity
Tummy time is an essential activity for overall infant development and muscle strengthening. It is a critical building block for achieving future infant milestones including pushing up, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking and even eating. Experts say without the recommended tummy time infants can often face delays in gross motor skill development. So, it is essential to complete the recommended tummy time. And remember, tummy time doesn’t have to be a struggle. These tips should help!
Safety First! – Be certain your baby remains awake during tummy time. If your baby is too tired, place them on their back to rest. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the American Academy of Pediatrics are both supporters of the Back to Sleep campaign and recommend that an infant lie on their back to sleep.
We all need support – Offer support under the arms of your to child by using a support pillow to help prop them up. This will help them pick their heads up, support their upper body and provide extra comfort in the early months.
It is never too early to get started – Position your baby on their tummy for minutes at a time in the early weeks. While holding your baby, lie down on your back with them on your chest. This provides ample tummy time and bonding time with parents, siblings, or relatives. When changing your baby, place them on their tummy for a minute or two. The initial exposure will be a good introduction to tummy time and get your baby used to the position.
Time intervals – Whether your pediatrician recommends 30 minutes or an hour of tummy time a day, split the time into shorter intervals. Your baby will tolerate shorter intervals better and still fulfill the recommended time.
Entertain them – Position yourself in your baby’s line of site and entertain them. Use colorful toys (preferably black, white, and red), different voices, and noises to keep their mind off of tummy time and on you. You could also use a mirror to catch their attention. This will help the time pass while your baby achieves their goals.
Make them work – Give your baby motivation by placing toys just out of their reach. Encourage him or her to reach for the toy. This will also take the infant’s focus off of tummy time, and onto the toy. This grasping helps gross motor skills and hand eye coordination develop.
No quitting – Your baby might not like tummy time and fuss while they are doing it, but don’t give up! Use the tips above to keep them motivated and distracted and in the end, you will have a strong healthy baby!
|
Cart
