Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life to foster good short-term and long-term health. It also promotes a bond between mother and child, and facilitates the proper development of a child’s immune system.(Please refer to he post on the
importance of exclusive breastfeeding).
Breast-milk, Cow's Milk And Infant Formulas
The proteins contained in breast milk are of a higher biological value
wherein they contain all essential amino acids, necessary for the baby’s development.
Moreover,the protein content varies to meet baby’s demands. And compared to cow’s milk, it has lower amounts of the serum protein -casein that is usually difficult for the infant to digest.
It also contain anti-bodies that confer immune protection for the child. Certain immune factors such as cytokines, lysozymes that are found in breast milk serve important functions in fostering the proper gut microbial development, which in turn
promotes the child’s food tolerance. can be easily digested while providing
Human milk has about 90 lactose and minute amounts of glucose and galactose, and has a fat content of about 7 g/100 ml. Lactose promotes mineral
absorption including that of calcium.
Also, the lactoferrin in cow’ milk impedes iron absorption,while iron is readily found in breast milk, and whereas the levels of other vitamins and minerals can var depending on maternal nutrient intake i.e. Vitamin A and , by improving the nutrient intake of these fluctuating nutrients or prescribed supplementation -from a qualified nutritionists, a child obtains all the nutrients in required amounts for the six months it is exclusively breast-fed. Essentially , breast-milk contains adequate nutrients
Yes, there are women who may prefer the use of infant formulas
over breastfeeding because most formulas are manufactured to contain similar nutrients as those in breast-milk ; however, these formulas do not contain
the anti-bodies contained in breast milk that help the child to fight against disease.
That said, there are situations when a woman cannot breastfeed (refer to post on the contraindications for breastfeeding)
and infant formulas recommended- then guidance should be sough from a specialized medical staff.
Risk Of Not Exclusively Breastfeeding For The First 6 months
Exclusive breastfeeding contributes a central function in the development of an infant’s immune system. In comparison with breast-fed infants, infants fed on formulas are at increased risk of morbidity during the first 12 months. As mentioned, the bio-active factors contained in breast milk promote the growth of gut microbiota which favour gut colonization among breast-fed babies. The immunoglobulins provide important immune functions and aid in fighting infection. Formula-fed infants are also at an increased risk of infections such as rotavirus and diarrhoea that may result from the poor handling of feeding equipment.They are also at higher risk of malnutrition which may present as under-nutrition when the child is under-fed or obesity when the child is overfed.