The benefits of breastfeeding

CEBU, Philippines - Breastfeeding is important both for the mother and the child. This is the reason why the “Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992” or Republic Act No. 7600 was enacted. Here are some information about breastfeeding and its benefits.

Advice at the antenatal period

1. Breast milk alone is the best possible food and drink for your baby in the first six months of life. Other milk does not contain as much nutrients in the right amount and in the proper form for easiest digestibility.

2. Breastfeeding has the following benefits for both mother and baby:

* It contains all the essential nutrients needed for the adequate nutrition and growth of the baby.

· Breast milk especially colostrum protects the child against many childhood diseases like diarrhea and respiratory infections.

· Breastfeeding fosters a closely knit maternal-infant bonding.

· Breastfeeding helps mother prevent post-delivery hemorrhage, delays pregnancy and protects the mother against cancer of the breast.

3. The first milk, called “colostrum”, is thick and yellowish because it is full of protection against common infections. Give it to your baby.

4. Babies should start to breastfeed as soon as possible after birth.

5. Frequent sucking is needed to produce enough breast milk for the baby’s needs.

6. Bottlefeeding may lead to serious illness and death.

7. The size and shape of the breast do not matter – small breast and large breast both produce perfect milk in sufficient quality.

Advice during and immediately after delivery

1. It takes a few days for the milk to come out. The breast may feel empty but does not mean that there is no milk.

2. Colostrum is exactly what a baby needs for the first few days. Do not throw it away.

3. The baby does not need milk supplements, glucose, water or anything else.

4. Frequent sucking of the breast helps the milk to come out and it is the best way to build up your milk supply.

5. Let the baby suck as often as he wants and as long as he wants.

6. Let the baby finish the first breast before offering him the second. Start on one side for one feed and the other side for the next feed.

7. It is necessary to wash the breast before every feed.

8. Sucking at night helps to keep up the milk supply.

Advice before discharge

1. Continue breastfeeding at home.

2.More sucking makes more milk.

3. For any breastfeeding problem, return to the hospital, or go to a nearby health center or any available breastfeeding support group.

4. If you need to report back to work, give expressed breast milk to your baby.

Advice for the following weeks

1. Continue with exclusive breastfeeding until the baby is at least six months old.

2. Do not give early supplements as these can cause diarrhea and interfere with breastfeeding.

List of drugs that should not be taken by nursing mothers

1. Amiodarone

2. Amenhopterin

3. Bromocriptine

4. Cimetidine

5. Chloramphenicol

6. Chlorthiazides

7. Clemastine

8. Clofibrate

9. Cyclophosphamide

10. Corticosteroids – Cortisone, Dexamethasone, Hydrodocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Triamcinolone

11. Destropropoxyphene

12. Ergotamine – Ergot and derivatives, Mythysergide

13. Gold salts

14. Ethosuximide

15. Gamma Benzene Hexachloride

16. Hypnotics and sedatives – Chlorozepate, Diazepam, Nitrazepam

17. Indomethacin

18. Iodine

19. Methimazole

20. Laxatives – Cascara, Danthron, Phenopthalein

21. Lithium

22. Maprotiline

23. Phenindione

24. Phenylbutazone

25. Radio-pharmaceuticals/Radio-iodine

26. Thiouracil

27. Reserpine

28. Sulphonamides

29. Tinidazole

30. Sex hormones – Ethinylestradiol, Mestranol, Estradiol, Stilbestrol