The proper nursing and care of Infants

Nutritional benefits in a mothers breast milk

Research has found that breast milk is nutritiously packed with all that a baby’s body requires for proper growth and development.

The presence of colostrums in the milk that a woman produces first provides adequate antibodies for the development of a strong immune system. This in turn helps the baby’s body to be able to fight any infection that presents itself.

Brest milk also contains easily digestible nutrients that do not have any irritant effects to their digestive system helping the baby not to suffer stomach upsets. This is also aided by some enzymes contained in the milk that help in the digestion of milk interests.

Exclusively breastfed babies also have little respiratory, infection of urinary tract and ear problems compared to those that are bottle-fed on formula milk. They are unlikely to suffer constipation, vomiting and obesity.

Breastfed babies from families with obesity and allergic histories are not likely to be affected by such conditions.

Breastfeeding also helps in the development of the gut lining, brain, central nervous systems’ protective sheath and retinas because of the breast milk contents.

Breast milk also has an effect in the production of hormones which are necessary for growth in the facilitation of normal growth for the baby.

Breastfeeding could however be unadvisable in instances where the mother is under some strong medications that can either affect the baby’s health if suckled in the milk. It is also not very encouraged for HIV mothers to breastfeed their babies to reduce chances of passing on the virus to the babies.

Milk Development in Mothers    

The process by which breast milk is developed is utterly natural. The first milk that is produce is rich yellow since it contains colostrums which greatly benefit the baby’s body because of its nutrient content.

The white and thin transitional milk follows afterwards in about four days. This is the onset of the production of mature milk by the mother.

The baby needs an average of 15 feeds within 24 hours. The mothers’ body gets used to the baby’s feeding requirements and supports adequate milk production to satisfy the baby.

In between feeds, the milk that comes first is dilute and watery (fore milk) while the one that follows it (hind milk) is thick with fat, rich in essential nutrients and is highly energy packed.

Timing and regulating the baby on how to feed, has no effect on the amount of milk the mother is capable to produce for the baby’s nutritional sustenance.

Mothers Feeding Benefits during Lactation

A mothers feeding style during pregnancy has some effects on the milk production of the mother. It is health wisely advised to women with allergic history like problems as asthma, eczema and hay fever or whose partners do, to avoid proven sources with wide known allergic effects.

It is a common thing for a breast feeding mother’s appetite to go slightly higher than usual. Care should however be taken to ensure that the food they eat are healthy and that they have balanced diets at every meal.

Calorie requirement for breastfeeding mothers is about 500 calories. The fats stored during pregnancy could effectively aid in meeting this calorie requirement.

The mother should be ready to respond to the challenges and stresses presented by breast feeding like thirst and hunger so as not to interfere with their nutritional requirements for example by involving in restricted diets so as to suppress the increasing urge for food.

Because breast milk has an almost deficit of vitamin D, health departments recommend lactating mothers to take vitamin D supplements in a quantity of about 10 microgram’s daily.

Response to thirst should be observed so that the mother does not get dehydrated as the fluid is also a great essential in the production of breast milk. Reduce the intake of coffee tea, and soft drinks as they get excreted in breast milk. Alcohol drinking results into unpleasant smell in the milk and could lead to loss of appetite, digestion and sleeping problems.

Incase you suspect any reactions to particular food; it is advisable to seek professional advice before omitting anything from your diet.

A lactating mother’s emotional state should be stable at all time and you should ensure that your stresses do not interfere, with your feeding so as not to reduce milk production and result in your baby being under fed.

Why you Should Breastfeed an Infant

Breast feeding helps the mother and the child to create a bond between each other and this is very important for the baby’s psychological development. It brings about a long term effect on the baby’s life and health in general.

The baby is allowed to enjoy the richly nutrient packed colostrums which help in building of the child’s immune system.

Breast milk contains antibodies which help the baby’s body to fight infection.

Breast milk needs no extra preparation and it comes in the right temperatures.

Feeding an Infant who Can’t Be Breast Fed

There are various reasons why a mother may not be able to breast feed.

-         The baby may be premature and unable to suckle.

-         The mother may be under strong medication.

-         The mother may be suffering from an infectious case like HIV.

-         The mother may be busy (working away).

-         The mother may be dead.

In such circumstances, the mother can opt for alternative feeding methods like giving of formula milk especially in cases which the mother’s milk could pose great health risk to the baby’s life.

However, as much as the formula milk is based on cow milk, it is still not as nutritious and babies on this mode of feeding should be given vitamin A and supplements and D supplements.

In short cases like the mother having to be away from the baby for some time, she can express some milk which is sufficient to sustain the baby’s feeding needs till she comes back. This could take up to about 6 bottles for 12 hour durations.

The expressing of milk can be done using a breast pump or an ordinary sterilized bowl. The milk can be stored in sterilized bottles and refrigerated for later use in the absence of the mother. This milk can store to a maximum of 8 days if kept under appropriate temperatures.

You should be very careful when buying formula milk; ensure that it is legally approved and that it contains the essential nutrients required by the baby. Reconstitution should be done according to the direction given on the pack.

Observe high hygienic standards, when using bottles to avoid cases of infection. Make sure that you sterilize the bottles in between feeds and that any left over milk is not saved for later use.

Feeding Tips for Infants

Do not twist baby, flex or turn his head while breast feeding.

Maintain high standards of hygiene.

Follow the baby’s instincts to know when they need to be fed.

Use breast pads or cotton hankies to absorb any milk leakages

Ensure the nipple goes to about one third distance into the mouth, for effective suckling.

Use nursing bras for support and improved comfort.

Use spoons instead of feeding bottles; they are easier to clean than bottle teats.

Strictly follow formula milk reconstitution directions.

Avoid using bottle teats for too long.

Pat the back after feeding; helps the baby to bring up wind.

You should take good care of how you feed you baby in general in order to protect him from health issues like vomiting, diarrhea, slow weight gain or slow weight gain.

Care should mostly be taken with babies on formula feeding, always making sure that should the baby have adverse cases like vomiting bile stained vomits or extensive periods of diarrhea , the formula milk water ratio could be wrong. Consult with a professional for advice on how better to go about the baby’s feeding.