After birth the only other thing that can soothe a baby is breastfeeding. But many mothers wrongly feel that breastfeeding means only a let down of milk. Sure it is what breastfeeding is supposed to be. But the first feed that your baby receives from you is not a clear white milk as you thought of it, but a clear yellowish liquid called colostrum. Many mums refrain from breastfeeding thinking that its not what the baby is suppose to have. But colostrum is the first milk that your body produces and essential for your baby. In fact the production of colostrum starts to takes place in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.
After the birth your baby's systems are not developed enough to digest food other than breast milk. Your body produces enough food for your baby and exactly what would suit your baby's taste and systems. Colostrum is produced in the first few days after the birth which is a powerhouse of nutrients for your baby.
Breastfeeding has a lot of benefits for both the mother and baby. The first breast milk - colostrum - too has its claim of share for its benefits. It helps the baby's system to mature to digest breast milk when the mother has a let down. It is also high in leukocytes or white blood cells that help to protect the baby against several bacterial and viral infections. The antibodies in colostrum also helps the baby's system to fight respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis till the baby develops antibodies of its own. Infantile jaundice that is very common in babies can be treated with continuous feeds of colostrum. It helps to expel bilirubin from the baby's body reducing chances of getting jaundice.
Continuous suckling at the breast with colostrum feeds also increases the chances of early milk production and helps to start breastfeeding soon.
Shruti Sharma, Bariatric Counsellor and Nutritionist, Jaypee Hospital tells us why it is important to feed your child well in the first 1000 days of his/her life and how you should take care of yourself.
There is a reason why your body produces pre-milk or colostrum. Your baby needs it. So mommies, you are not supposed to discard it.
Despite there being enough data to suggest that breastfeeding during the first hour after birth helps to curb the mortality rates we are still failing to meet the requirements to initiate breastfeeding
WHO and UNICEF have said that breastfeeding should commence within one hour of the child's birth.
Jincy Varghese says her infant was fed formula milk when he was in the NICU of a hospital in Mumbai without her consent.
'There are no stupid questions about your child's health' (Expert interview)
According to WHO, breastfeeding is absolutely crucial in the first six months and should continue up to two years along with regular food.
A study has claimed that antibodies from cow's milk that protect against HIV can be potentially developed into affordable creams that can help protect humans against the infection. Dr Marit Kramski from Melbourne University found that when pregnant cows were vaccinated with a HIV protein, they produced high antibodies against the disease in their colostrum - the first milk produced after giving birth to a calf.
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Your infant needs only breast milk within the first hour of birth. Anything else can take a toll on the newborn's health.
Breast milk provides greater immunity than any infant formula
Shruti Sharma, Bariatric Counsellor and Nutritionist, Jaypee Hospital tells us why it is important to feed your child well in the first 1000 days of his/her life and how you should take care of yourself.
There is a reason why your body produces pre-milk or colostrum. Your baby needs it. So mommies, you are not supposed to discard it.
Despite there being enough data to suggest that breastfeeding during the first hour after birth helps to curb the mortality rates we are still failing to meet the requirements to initiate breastfeeding
WHO and UNICEF have said that breastfeeding should commence within one hour of the child's birth.
Jincy Varghese says her infant was fed formula milk when he was in the NICU of a hospital in Mumbai without her consent.
'There are no stupid questions about your child's health' (Expert interview)
According to WHO, breastfeeding is absolutely crucial in the first six months and should continue up to two years along with regular food.
A study has claimed that antibodies from cow's milk that protect against HIV can be potentially developed into affordable creams that can help protect humans against the infection. Dr Marit Kramski from Melbourne University found that when pregnant cows were vaccinated with a HIV protein, they produced high antibodies against the disease in their colostrum - the first milk produced after giving birth to a calf.
Cigarette-style statutory warnings on formula milk?
Lactaptin - a protein found in breast milk could lead to cure for cancer
Low awareness on breastfeeding not restricted to poor: Montek
Your infant needs only breast milk within the first hour of birth. Anything else can take a toll on the newborn's health.
Breast milk provides greater immunity than any infant formula
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