Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition for the first six months of life according to the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics.[1][2] Human milk should be the sole source of nutrition for the first six months, however the Canadian Paediatric Society (2013) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (2022) recommended supplementation with Vitamin D.[1][2] Complementary foods are introduced at about six months of age, but breastfeeding should continue.[1][2]
The WHO and UNICEF recommend recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life — meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Infants should be breastfed on demand — that is as often as the child wants, day and night. No bottles, teats or pacifiers should be used. From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years and beyond.[3]
The American Academy of Pediatrics reported that more than 80 percent of American mothers breastfeed, which makes breastfeeding the cultural norm in the United States.[2]
Contents
Benefits of breastfeeding
The Canadian Paediatric Society reported that breastfeeding is associated with "improved cognitive development."[1]
The American Academy of Pediatrics reported that, as compared with formula feeding, breastfeeding reduces sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), infant and neonatal mortality, lower respiratory tract infection, severe or persistent diarrhea, otitis media, asthma, eczema, Crohn's disease, colitis, childhood and adult obesity, diabetes, and leukemia.[2]
Contraindications to breastfeeding
There are certain conditions that contraindicate breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a discussion of contraindications.[2]
Video
Why is breastfeeding important?
Circumcision impairs commencement of breastfeeding
Neonatal circumcision is a medically unnecessary, non-therapeutic, intensely painful surgery that is carried out just at the time when breastfeeding is being commenced. Circumcision causes extreme pain, trauma, and shock, and disturbs feeding behavior.[4] The newborn infant boy is left in a debilitated state in which he may be unable to initiate breastfeeding,[5][6] which frequently results in the substution of formula feeding to the detriment of a boy's health.[7]
Parents are reminded that circumcision has no proven health benefit, produces significant trauma and is not recommended by any medical society in the world, while breastfeeding has numerous health benefits and is recommended world-wide.
External links
(September 1994). Breastfeeding Problems After Circumcision
, La Leche League. Retrieved 9 December 2022.- (August 2020).
Breastfeeding
, Caring for Kids. Retrieved 6 December 2022. - (2022).
Breastfeeding
, healthychildren.org. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
References
- ↑ a b c d
Critch JM. Nutrition for healthy term infants, birth to six months: An overview. Paediatr Child Health. April 2013; 18(4): 206-7. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ↑ a b c d e f Meek JY, Meek L. Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. July 2022; 150(1): e2022057988. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ↑
Breastfeeding
, WHO. Retrieved 8 December 2022. - ↑ American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; Task Force on Pain in Infants, Children, and Adolescents. The Assessment and Management of Acute Pain in Infants, Children, and Adolescents (0793). Pediatrics. September 2002; 108(3): 793-7. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ↑ Lee N. Circumcision and Breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 2000; 16(4): 295. PMID. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ↑ Caplan L. Circumcision and Breastfeeding: A Response to Nikki Lee's Letter. J Hum Lact. 2001; 17(1): 7. PMID. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ↑ Hill G. Breastfeeding must be given priority over circumcision. J Hum Lact. February 2003; 19(1): 21. PMID. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
