ABC of nutrition. Infant feeding.
Authors: A S Truswell
Journal: BMJ (1985)

Breast or bottle?Advantages of breast feeding * Breast milk is microbiologically clean Infant feeding is the dominant nutritional interest in Third World countries and it gets much attention in Western countries because infants depend on * Breast feeding is natural and may confer others to feed them.Babies cannot eat ordinary adult food or say how they benefits that science doesn't yet know feel after the feed.Though there are still many questions, scientific about knowledge is probably fuller about this age of man than any other.* It provides anti-infective components: lymphocytes, macrophages, immunoglobulins (especially IgA), lactoferrin, lysozyme, complement, andFor the first 4 to 6 months of life the infant should be fed either by breast bifidus factor feeding or on a milk based formula modified to make its composition * The major differences in composition suitable for infants-that is, more like breast milk.The decision which between cows' and human milk have been method to start with should be made well before delivery, and it should be minimised in modern infant formulas but made by the mother.The doctor's role is to give advice to help her make up not all, and some nutrients are known to her mind and then, whichever method she wants to use, to provide support be better absorbed by babies from human and arrange instruction.milk, such as iron and zinc.In Britain the choice is more even than ever before.Breast feeding is .For most women breast feeding is a recommended by the DHSS and all authorities; the organisation of satisfying and enjoyable experience maternity wards, control of advertising, and change of social attitudes all make it easier than it used to be.On the other hand, modern technology * Allergic reactions are less likely makes bottle feeding easy and safe; the newer infant formulas are closer to breast milk in composition and may in some ways have small advantages-* A mother can always change from breast for example, they can be a more reliable source of vitamin K and fluoride.to bottle feeding but not the other way How to manage breast feeding "How is it that poor men's wives, who have no cold fowl or port wine on which to be coshered up, nurse their children without difficulty, whereas the wives of rich men, who eat and drink everything that is good, cannot do so?"ANTHONY TROLLOPE 1847 In Third World countries breast feeding Knowing how to establish breast feeding is no longer instinctive in the In Third World countries breast feedlng women of our complex industrial societies.Some take to it naturally but unquestionably reduces infant mortality but others will not do well without guidance and a sympathetic environment.in affluent countries it iS very difficult for epidemiologists to show a significant * The mother should be adequately nourished during pregnancy.improvement of morbidity when other 0 She should have watched others breast feeding and talked about it.factors are taken into account.Mothers who 0 She needs to involve and consider her husband.There can be sexual breast feed tend to have a higher educational implications in breast feeding.His support (or opposition) will be level and income.important.* The National Childbirth Trust or La Leche League can help to provide instruction and information.* The baby should be put to the breast as soon as possible after delivery.* Frequent suckling stimulates prolactin secretion.Suckling more than six times a day maintains high basal prolactin as well as initiating prolactin surges with feeding.