An Overview Of Breastfeeding Essay Research Paper — страница 2

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nutrients. The proteins in human breast milk are mostly whey and casein. Cows milk contains more casein, and human breast milk contains more whey. Whey is more easily tolerated by an infant?s digestive system. The fat in human breast milk is easily absorbed by an infant?s digestive system. An enzyme called lipoprotein lipase helps an infant absorb the fat in breast milk. A mother?s breast milk contains essential fats and cholesterol. Both are needed by infants to make tissues of the nervous system. The amount of fat in breast milk rises significantly at the end of a breast feeding session. This may be nature?s way of making an infant feel full and stop feeding. Breast milk contains only a small amount of iron, but the iron in breast milk is easily absorbed. Fifty percent of the

iron in breast milk is absorbed compared with only four to ten percent of the iron in cows milk or commercial infant formulas. Colostrum and breast milk are rich in antibodies and have anti-infective factors. These help protect the newborn infant from viruses and bacteria that the infant was exposed to in the birth canal. They also help protect the infant?s immature digestive tract from infection. Breast milk promotes the growth of bacteria that all humans normally have in the digestive tract. Breast milk contains immune factors to help an infant fight infection and help prevent the infant from developing possible food allergies. While cows milk and formula mixtures can trigger allergic reactions and are often difficult for a newborn to digest, a mother?s milk is perfectly

designed specifically for her baby. Since human breast milk is more easily digested than formula, nursing usually results in fewer instances of colic, diarrhea and constipation. Studies show that breast fed babies have fewer ear and digestive tract infections; experience less vomiting and acute respiratory illness; and are at lower risk for childhood diabetes, lymphomas and Crohn?s disease. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Dietetic Association, among others, breastfeeding improves infants? general health, growth, and development and significantly decreases risk for a large of number of acute and chronic diseases. Studies also show that breastfeeding decreases the incidents and / or the severity of lower respiratory infection, bacterial meningitis,

botulism, urinary tract infections and necrotizing enterocolitis. But also according to the academy, a number of other studies show a possible protective effect of breastfeeding against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis and other allergic diseases. Breastfeeding also has been related to possible enhancement of cognitive development. Proper Steps to Latching On Correctly latching on is the key to a pleasant, rewarding breastfeeding experience. Nursing behavior patterns are established early. Once set, bad habits are difficult to correct. Here are the steps recommended to get off to the right start: Step 1 For most women, sitting up in bed or in a comfortable chair is easiest. Make sure the baby is comfortable and feels

secure and supported. The baby should be nestled in the mother?s arm at the level of the breast, his head and trunk in a straight line to prevent having to strain or turn to attach to the breast. Do not tilt the baby?s head down, as it will be difficult for them to swallow in that position. Step 2 Hold breast with your fingers underneath and thumb on top, making sure that all are placed well away from the areola. Then manually express a couple of drops to entice the baby to take the breast. Step 3 Gently tickle the baby?s lower lip with the nipple to encourage the baby to open his mouth wide. Once the baby?s mouth has opened wide enough, gently pull him in close to the breast. The key to successful latch on and preventing nipple soreness is teaching the baby to take a large

portion of the areola into his mouth. As mentioned earlier, milk collects in the pockets beneath the areola. To empty these effectively, the baby?s mouth must be positioned over them. If the baby sucks only on the nipple, little milk will be drawn out, and this will cause the nipple to become sore. If the baby does not latch on properly right away, continue to encourage an open mouth and pull the baby close to the breast again. These steps may be repeated several times until the baby gets the idea. The mother should not feel any pain while breastfeeding. If discomfort is felt, gently break the suction by inserting a finger into the corner of the baby?s mouth between the gums then try again. Latch on discomfort is sometimes common in the first week or two, but any pain should