Breast Milk - The Safe Food for Babies

Most young moms find it difficult breastfeeding. Once pregnant one may want to breastfeed but after a while stops. Some of the complains are "its tiring", "Don't want breast to sag" etc. Please make a commitment to breastfeed with all its discomfort.

Breast milk is the only SAFE food for a baby because the gut at birth is immature and breast milk contains functional nutrients that help provide the micro-environment for gut protection and maturation. Because of immature intestinal immune function, the newborn infant is susceptible to intestinal and systemic infections. 

 Formula feed may be adjusted to be like breast milk but it would not have the natural protective nutrients in breast milk. Formula feed can also get contaminated from the water, cups, spoons, feeding bottles used in preparation and expose the baby to infections this leads to most DIARRHEA observed in infants. BUT Breast milk needs no preparation and hence exposes baby to less infections PLUS it has protective 

 nutrients. 

Breast milk production can be influenced by mother's nutritional status. Eating sufficient calories and getting an abundant supply of nutrients is helpful  for lactation. A rich supply of minerals and a good balance of fats ensure that the mother’s cells and nerves are functioning at an optimal level.

Vegetables like carrot, beet are full of beta-carotene(pro vitamin A) which are needed in extra amounts during lactation because it  is essential for growth and differentiation of a number of cells and tissues.

Vegetables for minerals,vitamins, enzymes and phytoestrogen 

Dark green leafy vegetables like 'kontomire', spinach, kale are a 

potent source of minerals, vitamins and enzymes, as well 

as phytoestrogen that support lactation.

Oats, millet, barley and rice are most commonly know grains known 

to increase milk supply.

 Fats play a vital role in cellular and neural metabolism. Studies 

have shown that the kinds of fats a mother eats will influence 

the composition of fats in her milk. Essential fatty acids are most 

healthy fats needed by brain for its formation and development.

sources of essential fatty acid

         

        

 Some of the food sources of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are fish 

         and shellfish, flax seed (linseed), hemp oil, soya oil, 

         canola (rapeseed). 

Unhealthy fats like partially hydrogenated 

         vegetable oils and trans fatty acids should be eliminated from diet,    to avoid entering milk.

       

Breastfed babies have better immune  protection, less diarrhea, grow stronger and healthier. Breastfeeding also creates a bond between mother and child.

 I bet these benefits for baby will make  you more committed to breastfeed when the baby comes...........!!!


References

Walker A.J.(2009). Breast milk as the gold standard for protective nutrients.Pediatr. 2010 Feb;156(2 Suppl):S3-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds..11.021

Strobel M., Tinz J., Biesalski H.K.(2007). The importance of beta-carotene as a source of vitamin A with special regard to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Eur J Nutr. 46 Suppl 1:I1-20.

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