Breast feeding ,Health guide for you,

 Breast feeding is providing of breast milk to babies. This is beneficial to the baby because breast milk is the best food for the baby and therefore any other supplement or substitute food is not as good as breast milk.

For the first four months of life breast milk is all the food babies need. Majority of babies depend on breast milk for the first six months of life without any problems up to the age of 2 years which is very good for the babies and mothers.

Breast feeding is of majorly three forms that is;

Exclusive breast feeding:  where by the baby does not take any  other food or drink except breast milk.

Exclusive breast feeding is the best and safest way to feed a baby up to 6 months of age.

Partial breast  feeding:  is where by the baby breast feeds part of the time on breast milk and other times gets some additional feeds or drinks. This is majorly done from 6 months of age when the baby gets supplementary or weaning foods which should be natural like passion juice.

Token breast feeding:  is the type of breast feeding where by the baby feeds on small amounts of breast milk but gets most of the nutrients from other foods. Token breast feeding should take place towards the end of the breast feeding period.

Breast milk contains almost all food values needed for the baby growth and health including, Lactose/milk sugars which provides energy and also helps in absorption of calcium.

Fats which are the main sources of energy in breast milk are easier to digest.

Enzymes lipase which helps to digest the fats while animal milk doesn’t contain this enzyme.

It also contains proteins’ which forms suffcords which are easy to digest unlike artificial milk.

Vitamins in breasts milk from well nourished mothers has all vitamins while milk from a malnourished mothers tends to contain less vitamins.

Mineral salts contained in breast milk like calcium and potassium plus iron while cow’s milk contains too much of these which is not easily digested/absorbed.

Breast milk also contains white blood cells which kill harmful organisms and antibodies which fight off invading organisms/pathogens. These anti infective factors are acquired directly from mothers.

Breast milk also contains growth factors like vitamin A which help the baby to grow well in developing the GIT (Gastro Intestinal Tract).

Breast milk is of many advantages including;

It contains exactly the nutrients the baby needs in the right proportions.

It is easily digested and used by the baby in running the body process.

It contains anti infection factors that protect the baby against infections.

It fosters mother to baby bond of affection and that’s why the baby is able to recognize the mother from other people.

Breast feeding helps to delay new pregnancy that’s why it is neutral family planning method.

Breast milk is free from contamination by pathogenic organisms, thus making it best milk for babies. Breast feed your baby to keep the future living.