The Benefits
of Breastfeeding
baby to increase body weight at the right rate.
Cow’s Milk Versus Formulas
by Dr. Lindsey Zerdecki
I
t has been shown that the health of the digestive tract directly influences the health of a child. The digestive tract contains the largest part of the child’s immune system and is what connects with the outside world. According to the World Health Or- ganization, one of the most significant things you can do to help enhance your child’s immune system is to breastfeed. They state that breastmilk is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. In the early 1900s 99% of infants were breastfed. By the late 1960s the rate declined to approximately 20%. Today the number of breastfed babies is on the rise, with almost 80% of all infants being breast- fed. The World Health Organization, UNICEF and the American Academy of Pediatrics support this increased trend and recommend that children should be breastfed for a minimum of one year, with an emphasis on up to two years.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother and Infant
Considerable benefits of breast- feeding for mother and infant begin with nutrition. Breast milk, a source of complete nutrition for the infant, changes daily or hourly according to what the baby needs at any stage. It contains the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein, thus causing the
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Formulas contain a base of cow’s milk or soy. Both contain the wrong mixture of nutrients for a baby’s needs. Cow’s milk is made for baby cows not human babies.
Human milk contains approxi- mately twice the amount of lactose as cow’s milk, which an infant’s digestive tract is best able to absorb. Also, ba- bies can metabolize a form of lactose called beta-lactose, which is in human milk.
Cow’s milk contains alpha-lactose, which the baby will not be able to absorb as easily. Store bought formulas contain other additives that are diffi- cult for an infant to digest and metabo- lize properly.
Breast milk supplies white blood cells, antibodies and other molecules important to immune system develop- ment and heath.
Studies reveal that breast fed babies score higher on IQ tests. This is especially true for premature infants due to the fact that breast milk is rich in omega 3s (lacking in formulas), which are important in brain building formulas lack.1,2
Benefits for Mother
According to the American Acad- emy of Pediatrics, benefits for mom include creating a stronger bond with baby. Physical contact is important for a newborn to help them feel secure and comforted. It has also been shown that breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers later in life. Breastfeeding uses up to 600 calo-
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ries daily, helping mom to shed baby weight. Not requiring heating or mixing, breastfeeding allows mom to have more quiet time with baby. Best of all, it costs about $600 a year (extra food for mom) compared to formula feeding which costs $1200 on average.
Dr. Lindsey Zerdecki is a chiro-
practor providing chiropractic care for newborns to adults at Complete Chiro- practic, 5930 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown. Call 610-841-2204 or visit CompleteChi-
roCenter.com. 1. Kramer, et al. “Breastfeeding and Child Cognitive Development: New Evidence from a Large Randomized Trial.” Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 May; 65(5):578-84.
2. Helland, et al. “Effects of Supple- menting Pregnant and Lactating Mother with n-3 Very Long Chain Fatty Acids on Children’s IQ and Body Mass Index at 7 Years of Age.” Pediatrics. 2008 Aug; 122(2): e472-9.
Breastfeeding Tips
Breastfeed on both sides
If the baby won’t breastfeed on both sides, have a pediatric chiropractor check the infant for neck misalign- ments.
Make sure the baby is well support- ed: use a pillow or lay down.
Breastfeed on demand babies re- quire more nutrition during growth phases. Rather than using a feeding schedule, let the infant eat when he or she wants.
Once the milk supply is established, the baby should have 5-6 wet diapers and 3-4 soiled diapers with 24-hours.
The first few days you produce colostrums, milk will come after a few days.
Anxiety adversely affects milk supply
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