Breast milk is all that the baby needs for the first six months, at least. But there is a noticeable reduction in women who are breast feeding in the developed countries. About 80% of women are not breast feeding their children. In India breast feeding rate has reduced to 30%, which is a serious threat to the development of a Nation. To overcome this problem Indian Government took an action and Adopted IMS act in 1992.

Breastfeeding helps better health for mothers and children alike. Breast feeding decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Increased breastfeeding can save more than 800 000 lives in the universe every year, the majority being children under 6 months. It provides the primary source of nutrition for newborns, before they are able to digest more diverse foods.

Empower parents, enable breast feeding:

Colostrum also known as beestings or first milk is loaded with calories and infection-fighting proteins. However mature milk which is secreted after colostrum also contains the following:-

1. Lactose: Matured human milk contains 6.9% to 7.2% carbohydrate, calculated as lactose. This source of energy is essential for the development of the brain. It also stimulates the intestinal microbiota

2. Lipids: Breast milk contains on an average of 3 to 5% It include fats, oils, waxes, certain vitamins (such as A, D, E and K) and hormones. This sources of energy is essential for the development of central nervous system and the retina. It is also essential in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins.

3. Nucleotides: mother’s milk contains on an average of 1.2 mg. 100 kJ^-1 It is an organic molecule that is the unit of DNA. This is helpful for the development and maturation of the intestinal tract. This also aids for proper function of immune system.

4. Vitamins and minerals (0.2%): It is the development of whole body including cells, bones, brain, vision, skin, hair, immune system and nervous system.

5. Probiotics: Breast milk contains on an average of 10⁶ g^-1 probiotic, which are live bacteria and yeasts that are essential for digestive system. This sources of energy improves intestinal microbial balance and reinforce the defence mechanisms.

6. Proteins: on an average 0.8% to 0.9% of proteins is available in the breast milk which is essential for tissues. Proteins are aids in the development of important enzymes, hormones and antibodies.

7. Other benefits: Facilitates proper dental and jaw development. Breastfed babies have higher IQ than who fed with other milk substituents.

The benefits of breast feeding are both physical and psychological for mother, child and their family. Newborn deserves the best Nutrition, Improved Survival, Optimum Development and Healthy Life. Breast feeding can do this miracle!

Mrs. D.A. Kalpaja
Chairperson
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre

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Before your baby is born he is protected within your womb from all infections and after birth breastfeeding takes over the protection process. The milk which you secrete for the first few days known as colostrum should be given to your baby as it provides resistance to your baby against various diseases and infections.

Your milk is made especially for your own baby. It is the right nutrition for the growth of your baby. It is easy to digest and it contains protective substances which help prevent infection especially loose stools. You can give it even when you are ill, pregnant or menstruating.

1. Like all mothers you can successfully breastfeed your baby, which is the most natural way to feed babies.

2. Mother’s milk is complete nutrition for the baby for first 6 months and your child should be exclusively breastfed during this period of time. No other milk, food, drink or even water is required.

3. Your baby should be breastfed immediately after birth preferably within 1/2 to 1 hour of birth.

4. Your baby should be breastfed unrestrictedly and on demand.

5. Your baby must be given Colostrum – the first yellowish mother’s milk during the first 2-3 days after birth.

6. Nothing should be given before the first breastfeed.

7. No pacifiers should be given to the baby.

8. You can continue breastfeeding during your sickness without any harm to the baby and yourself.

9. You should continue breastfeeding for two years or beyond.

10. Bottle-feeding is not necessary and even harmful for your baby. It is the leading cause of loose stools in babies.

11. Solid foods should be introduced only after 6 months of age.

12. Home-made, family food is better than commercial food for your baby.

13. Commercially available powder milks are always inferior to mother’s milk is recommended that all infants should be fed exclusively on breastmilk until they are six months of age and continued to be breastfed till 2 years or beyond. Breastfeeding is advantageous for all – you, your baby and the society.

Benefits your baby enjoys:

Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits to your baby which are as follows

1. Breastmilk contains adequate calories and provides the right kind of proteins, fats, lactose, vitamins, iron, minerals, water and enzymes in the amounts necessary for your baby.

2. Breastmilk contains iron, water soluble Vitamin D, Vitamin A, C and E more than cow’s milk.

3. Breastmilk is clean, free from bacteria and has anti-infective properties.

4. It also contains substances which prevent harmful bacteria from growing in intestines and causing loose stools.

5. It is ready to serve when the baby wants it, needs no preparation and it has the right temperature.  It is economical and free from contamination.

6. Breastfeeding enhances the emotional bond between the child and the mother and provides warmth, love and affection and is more than food.

7. Breastfeeding protects the child against several infections including respiratory infections.

8. Breastfed babies are less prone to have diabetes, heart diseases, eczema, asthma and other allergic disorders later in life.

9. Breastfed babies have been shown to have a higher IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and develop better mathematical abilities than infants who are not breastfed.

10. Breastfeeding enhances brain development. There is better visual development and visual acuity leading to learning readiness.

Benefits you enjoy as a mother:

Breastfeeding has many advantages to the mother, which include the following

1. It reduces post-delivery bleeding and chances of anemia.

2. Obesity is less common among breastfeeding mothers as it helps the mother regain her normal figure.

3. It has a contraceptive effect .

4. It has a protective effect against breast and ovarian cancers.

5. If you exclusively breastfeed your baby, you will have better adjustment with your baby.

Benefits the society enjoys:

Breastfeeding lowers health-care costs by reducing illness and deaths of children under five years of age and thus reduces the strain on the family budget. It helps in reducing absenteism of mothers from work as exclusively breastfed children are less prone to diseases. Thus, it will prove less costly to the employer.

Colostrum-The first few days of breastmilk

During the first few days after delivery you produce special milk known as colostrum which is thick, sticky and yellowish in colour. It is easily digestible, contains anti-infective elements to protect your newborn against infections. It stimulates your baby’s immature intestines to develop, in order to digest and absorb milk and to prevent the absorption of undigested proteins. Colostrum also has a mild “gut clearing effect”, which helps your baby’s gut to pass the first, very dark stool called meconium. It also helps to prevent jaundice by clearing the bilirubin from the gut. Although colostrum is secreted in small quantities (30-90ml), it is sufficient to meet the energy needs of a normal newborn during the first few days of life.

Mature milk:

• During the two weeks that follow the colostrum stage, the milk increases in quantity and changes in appearance and composition as per your baby’s needs, the protein content decreases while the fat and sugar content increases. At this time, your breasts may feel full, hard and heavy.
• Mature milk is thinner and watery but contains all the nutrients essential for optimum physical and mental development of the baby. The mature milk consists of hind milk and foremilk.

The milk which comes at the start of the feed is called foremilk. Foremilk, which is watery and bluish in color, has a low level of fat and is high in lactose, sugar, protein, vitamins, minerals and water. It satisfies your baby’s thirst and is produced in large amount than hind milk. You may sometimes worry that your milk is too thin. Milk is never “too thin”. It is important for you to give both foremilk and hind milk to provide complete meal and water that your baby needs.

Hindmilk is the milk which comes later in a feed, is richer in fat and this extra fat makes it look whiter than foremilk. It satisfies the baby’s hunger and supplies much of the energy required. Therefore, it is important not to take your baby off the breast too quickly.

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing for every mother. It is a unique experience to be cherished. Sometimes certain simple problems faced by mothers result in stoppage of breastfeeding or giving of supplements of animal milk/commercial infant formula to the baby. Problems may be like flat nipples, inverted nipples, breast engorgement, swelling, sore nipples or not enough milk etc. These problems are preventable if due care is taken from the pregnancy period to prepare for breastfeeding.

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There is a dramatic decrease in women who are breast feeding in the developed countries. About 80% of women are not breast feeding their children. Many of them are not breast feeding their children for required length of time. In our country breast feeding rate has reduced to 30%. It is serious threat to the development of a nation. To over come this problem Indian Government took an action and adopted IMS act in 1992.

Importance of breast milk

Breast milk usually refers to the milk produced by a female which is usually fed to infants by breast feeding. It provides the primary source of nutrition for newborns, before they are able to digest more diverse foods.

There are two types of milk

1. Colostrum: It (also known as beestings or first milk) is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth. Colostrum is the thick yellowish fluid that is secreted by the breast in the first few days after delivery, before mature milk is produced. Although only a small amount of colostrum is released from the breast, this liquid is loaded with calories and infection-fighting proteins. Colostrum contains helpful antibodies for the baby’s immune system and helps in early digestion. The baby should be allowed to nurse the colostrum to obtain these benefits.

2. Mature milk: Regular milk or mature milk which is secreted after colostrums. It contains essential carbohydrates, proteins, and antibodies and low in fats. It is easily digestible. It should be given to an infant at least for an age of 6 months.

Fat contents of breast milk:

The breast milk contains fats and carbohydrates in exact ratio and quantity required for the growth of an infant. Some of the other components of the breast milk which are not present in the pasteurized cow milk and other artificial milk products are
• Vitamins (fat and water soluble)
• Minerals (especially Calcium, Phosphorus, and Zinc)
• Lactose (aids in Calcium absorption)
• Bile Salt Stimulated Lipase (aids in digestion of fats)
• Cystine ,Taurine
• Secretory Immunoglobulin
• Lactoferrin (binds Iron and makes it unavailable to bacteria in the intestines)
• Lysozyme (breaks cell walls of bacteria in the GI tract)
• Bifidus Factor (creates more acidic stool, inhibits growth of harmful bacteria)
• Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and essential Fatty Acids (Linoleic, Linolenic, Arachadonic)
• Whey protein

Comparison to other milks:

All mammal species produce milk, but the composition of milk for each species varies widely and other kinds of milk are often very different from human breast milk and may not be suitable for the infant. Few infants are intolerant of lactose or allergic to one or more of the constituents of cow’s milk. These problems can also affect formula milk derived from cow’s milk.

Benefits of breast feeding:

There are many benefits to breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are both physical and psychological for mother, child and their family.

Benefits for baby:

1. Breast milk is more digestible.

2. Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother’s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development.

3. Facilitates proper dental and jaw development.

4. Breastfed babies have higher IQ than who fed with other milk substituents.

5. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby’s immune system.

6. Breast milk helps to lower the risk of or protect against: diabetes, obesity, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, asthma, allergies, urinary tract infection and ear infection.

Benefits for mother:

1. Breastfeeding releases hormones that have been found to relax the mother and cause her to experience nurturing feelings toward her infant.

2. Breastfeeding can also help the mother to return to her previous weight as the fat accumulated during pregnancy is used in milk production.

3. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.

4. Breastfeeding makes the life easier. It saves time and money. One need not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula.

Benefits for both:
Both mother and Baby have benefits from breast feeding. It creates a unbreakable bond between them.

Legal aspects:
The Infant Milk Substitute Act (IMS) which came into effect in 1992 has some rules and regulations to regulate the activities of manufacturing of infant food substituents. They are as follows

1. Prohibits the advertisement of infant milk substitutes and feeding bottles to” ensure that no impression is given that feeding of these products is equivalent to, or better than, breastfeeding.

2. Prohibits providing free samples and gifts to pregnant women, mothers of infants and members of the families.

3. Prohibits donation of free or subsided supplies of products for health care institutions and prohibits incentives and gifts to health workers.

4. Prohibits display of posters at health care facilities / hospitals /health centers.

Dr. C. Sharath Kumar
Director and Chief Fertility Surgeon
Mediwave I.V.F & Fertility Research Hospital
City X-ray Complex, Sayyaji Rao Road,
Mysuru-570 001
Phone: 0821-2444441 / 4255019

http://mediwave.net/

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