From: bweiss@cs.arizona.edu (Beth Weiss)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: **NEW MOMMY NEEDS HELP!!**
Date: 4 Jan 93 02:25:27 GMT
Organization: U of Arizona CS Dept, Tucson

> mcsnewton@memstvx1.memst.edu writes:

>Breast-feeding (which I'm still mulling over) versus formula-feeding

Although obviously every woman has to decide what is best for her and
her family, there is absolutely no question that breastfeeding is best
for the baby.  (I am more than slightly fanatical on this subject,
though, as any regular misc.kids reader knows)  I happen to have this
on-line:

Since you asked so nicely, I pulled the sources I have at home
(neither are primary sources--What to Expect When You're Expecting,
The Womanly art of Breastfeeding)  (the second is a very
pro-breastfeeding organization; the first is a balanced survey of what
pregnant woman need to know)

The following are from "What to Expect When You're Expecting":

--human breast milk contains at least 100 ingredients that are not
found in cow's milk and cannot be perfectly duplicated in formulas.
Breast milk is individualized for each infant; raw materials are
selected from the mother's bloodstream as needed, altering from day to
day, feeding to feeding, as the baby grows and changes

--breast milk is more digestible than cow's milk.  the proprotion of
protein in mother's milk is lower...making it easier for the infant to
handle.  The protein itself is mostly lactalbumin, which is more
nutritious and digestible than the major protein component of cow's
milk, caseinogen.  The fat content of both milks are similar, but the
fat in mother's milk is more easily digested by the baby.

--breast milk is less likely to cause overweight in infants.

--no baby is allergict to breast milk (though some can have allergic
reactions to a certain food or foods in their mothers' diets).
Beta-lactoglobulin, a substance contained in cow's milk, can trigger
an allergic response, and, following the formation of antibodies, can
even cause anaphlactic shock ( a life-threatening allergic reaction)
in infants---which some suspect could be a contributing factor in
SIDS.  The soy milk forumlas, which are often substitued when an
infant is allergic to cow's milk, stray even farther in composition
from waht nature intended.

--nursed babies are never constipated, because of the easier
digestibility of reast milk.  They also rarely have diarrhea.

--breast milk contains 1/3 of the mineral salts of cow's milk.  The
extra sodium is difficult for immature kidneys' to handle.

--breast milk contains less phosphorus.  The higher phosphorus content
of cow's milk is linked to a decreased calcium level in the
formula-fed infant's blood.

--breastfed babies are less subject to illness in the first year of
life.  Protection is provided by the transfer of immune factors in
breast milk and in the premilk substance, colostrum.

--Nursing at the breast, because it requires more effort than sucking
on a bottle, encourages optimum development of jaws, teeth and palate.

--safe--no risk of contaminationor spoilage
--convenient--no advance planning, no equipment
--economical--no bottles, no sterilies or formula (although requires
extra 500 calories or so daily for mother)

--there is evidence that breastfeeding decreases a woman's risk of
developing breast cancer later in life [note from bw: i haven't see as
strong medical evidence of this as I'd like]

--nursing can help burn off the fat accumulated during pregnancy.
[note from bw: this benefits the woman, obviously.  it also is likely
to please her partner, as well as promoting her own good health by
helping her to return to a healthier weight]

--enforces rest periods for the new mother--particularly important
during the first six postpartum weeks.

These reasons are the same one's my doctor (OB) gives for why he
encourages _all_ of his patients to breastfeed their babies.  The
benefits against illness, apparently, exist even if the breastfeeding
is short-lived (weeks), although not as strong as if the baby were
breastfeed six months or so (which I believe is the official
recommendation of the AMA).

(Note to Kate Gregory: feel free to clip :-)

>A good time to go back to work (I just graduated and will be hearing about a
>few offers very soon)

that's harder.  Don't plan on less than 6 weeks.  It's been done, but
it's not easy.  I went back at 5.5, for reasons beyond my control, and
wish I had taken at least 8 weeks.

>Rooming-In versus being separated right after birth 

Check with your hospital.  I had a great hospital where they kept the
baby at night, but brought him when he was hungry, and I kept him
during most of the day.  it was the best of both worlds.

>What to do when the baby kicks SOOOOO much, you think she's doing
>somersaults!! 

Deep breaths.  It'll pass--and at least you know she's healthy!!!

>And ANYTHING else you can think of!!!!

Take an infant massage class as soon as the baby is born--you'll learn
more about handling her.  Be sure to ask the nurses to help you diaper
change, bathe, etc. at first--don't be afraid to admit you need
guidance.  

>Believe me, I know NOTHING!!  

You'll learn--and quickly--it's fun!!

--
--Beth Weiss
bweiss@cs.arizona.edu
Newsgroups: misc.kids,soc.men,alt.atheism,alt.sex.wizards