Dr. Bob: I want to know about feeding schedules with my new baby coming. I would like to breastfeed. I am concerned that all of my well-meaning relatives will give too much advice and confuse me.
Answer: Early infant nutrition is so important. I cannot overemphasize the importance of breastfeeding. I would certainly encourage you to pursue that route. If you cannot or there are specific conditions that preclude it, your doctor can advise you on the alternatives.
But why do I strongly support breastfeeding? Three basic reasons – it is best for the baby; it is best for the mother; and it is the most nurturing way to feed your baby. Let’s discuss each of these.
- Baby – breast milk has the optimal nutrition for babies. It has the best proteins, fats and sugars, and the best antibodies and related compounds to fight infections. Formula tries to simulate breast milk, but it is hard to beat the primary source of milk for babies. Breast milk helps babies fight infections. Infants tend to have fewer illnesses with GI problems and fewer respiratory infections that can lead to ear infections when breastfed. Fewer allergies is a big plus along with a decreased risk of diabetes and obesity. And research has shown a decreased risk for some forms of childhood cancer.
- Mother – women that breastfeed have a decreased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer (breast and ovarian). These decreased risks certainly highlight reasons for mothers to breastfeed that go beyond the benefit to the baby.
- Nurturing – the bond between mother and baby is a unique one in nature and humanity. It is that time when mothers see firsthand the precious life that they have been handed and to learn how to provide care and nurturing. The act of breastfeeding with baby to breast (heartbeat to heartbeat) solidifies those bonds and reminds us of the joy in parenthood and the physical interaction that personifies the love between infant and parent. A side benefit – it is cheaper than buying formula.
Now I have made the work of breastfeeding seem so simple and so rewarding that it seems everyone should be breastfeeding. The reality is that there are numerous hurdles that can occur. Mothers can be suffering in the post-partum period due to labor and delivery problems. Sometimes the baby has some difficulties latching on. Schedules at home and at work can make it difficult to sustain breastfeeding. Sometimes these hurdles seem insurmountable and make a change necessary. I acknowledge that that can occur but contend that sometimes we (parents and medical team) give up too soon. There are lactation resources that are available to help. Patience and persistence are the two traits that can help carry the day. We want to be sure that the baby has the optimal things (cute onesies, crib, infant carrier, etc.), so we should be trying to ensure that the baby has the optimal nutrition. We want to protect against infection and allergies along with so many other things.
Breast feeding is optimally continued as the sole source of nutrition until six months and then continued as the sole source of milk until 12 months of age. Rather than just say that is impossible in today’s society, I would challenge each of us and our society to do what is best for children and mothers and provide for better conditions for continued breastfeeding.
One last note – you can listen to your well-meaning relatives, but I would tend to adhere to the advice of your physician and their team. They are the professionals.
Dr. Saul is Professor of Pediatrics (Emeritus) at Prisma Health and his website is www.mychildrenschildren.com. Contact Dr. Bob at askdrbobsaul@gmail.com with more questions