WHY BREAST FEEDING?

Dr. Imran Shaikh

WHY BREAST FEEDING?

Easily
Less

available

expensive

Mother

and child bonding

Protects
Clean

child from infections

COMPOSITION OF BREAST
MILK
Low

proteins:

Less stress to the kidneys

Easy to digest
Less protein allergies
High ratio of whey:casein

 High

Lactose:

Energy source for brain development

Fat

Easily digested
Hind milk has more fat content

 High

water content:

Contains 87% of water

No need to give water during first 6 months

OPTIMAL BREAST FEEDING

PRACTICES
Initiate

breast feeding as soon as baby is

born i.e. thirty minutes to one hour

Colostrum

should be given from birth until

milk comes in.

Pre-lacteal
Water

baby

feeds should not be given

should not be given to a breastfed

 Baby

should be breastfed from both breasts

for at least 10-15minutes

Frequent

on-demand feeding

No

food, pre-lacteal or inter-lacteal feeding

till the age of 4-6 months

Maternal

dietary intake should be increased

during lactation

WHAT IS DEMAND FEEDING?

Baby

is feed when ever he/she cries or

mother feels a need to feed

Schedule

feeding may interfere with

successful lactation

A sleepy

baby should be awakened to have

at least 8-10 feeds in 24 hours