HAFIZ USMAN WARRAICH ROLL #17-C

Breast Feeding
Dr. Shreedhar Paudel
03/30/ 2009

Breast feeding

Breast feeding.
Ideal way of providing young infants with the
nutrients they need for healthy growth and
development
Virtually all mothers can breastfeed,
provided they have accurate information,
and the support of their family and the
health care system
Colostrum -- yellowish, sticky breast milk
produced at the end of pregnancy, is
recommended by WHO as the perfect food
for the newborn

Breast feeding
Recommendations: Be initiated as soon as possible after birth
Nothing to be given before initiation of breast
feeding
Exclusive breast feeding for the initial 6 mo
BF be given whenever child feel hungry
( Demand Feeding)
Complementary foods addition to BF be
started after six mo of age
BF continued with semisolid foods up to 2 yrs
of age

Breast feeding.
BREASTFEEDING
--Best for baby
--Reduces incidence of allergies
--Economical - no waste
--Antibodies - greater immunity to infections
--Stool inoffensive - never constipated
--Temperature always correct and constant
--Fresh milk - never goes sour in the breast
--Emotionally bonding
--Easy once established
--Digested easily within 2-3 hours
--Immediately available
--Nutritionally balanced
--Gastroenteritis greatly reduced

Breast feeding.
Benefits to infants: Creates a special bond between mother and
infant
Decreases risk for certain types of infections
and illnesses
Enhances dental development
Reduces risk for allergies
Aids in cognitive development
Reduces risk for SIDS
Decreases overfeeding
Decreases the risk for obesity in later life

Breast feeding.
Benefits to mothers:

Helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size faster

Reduces risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers
Decreases risk for osteoporosis
Promotes postpartum weight loss
Enhances emotional health (especially for teenaged
mothers)
Saves money otherwise spent on formula and
feeding supplies
Reduces family healthcare costs (including out-ofpocket costs and services covered by insurance)

Breast feeding
Benefits to society: Protects the environment by decreasing
waste for landfills
Reduces parent days absent from work
(breastfed infants are healthier)
Improves the effectiveness of immunizations
Saves tax dollars spent on food and medical
expenses by the country
Improves the health of families

Breast feeding..
Can be harmful to the infant if the mother :
--has HIV or active tuberculosis
--is taking medications that suppress the
immune system
--is taking medications which may be passed onto the
child through the milk and are found to be harmful
(anticancer, anti thyroid drugs)
--infant has galactosemia

ROLL #17-C

HAFIZ USMAN WARRAICH

Breast feeding.
Can be harmful to the infant if the mother
--has had excessive exposure to
heavy metals such as mercury
--uses potentially harmful substances such as
cocaine, heroin, amphetamines
--Substances like caffeine, tobacco, and
alcohol, while possibly harmful to the nursling if
consumed in large quantities, are safe to use in
moderation while breastfeeding