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Breast Feeding

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Submitted By vero123
Words 1712
Pages 7
Viola Ngandu
WOST-B399. November, 20th 2011
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the most precious gift a mother can give her baby. Breast feeding is natural and healthier for the baby. The bond the mother and child get when they breast feed is amazing. Breast milk helps the infant with their health, their bone structure, and their immunity. Breast milk contains growth factors and antibodies which help the baby grow and protect the baby from illness such as ear infections, allergies, diarrhea, and other serious illnesses. The first milk which comes from a mother is yellowish in color, and it is called colostrum; it has antibodies that protect the baby from infections. The antibodies found in breast milk cannot be found in formula. Breast milk comes in three different types; colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk. Colostrum (0 to 5 days after birth) is high in protein, low in fat; it also helps the baby’s bowels to move early and often. Transitional (5 to 10 days) is the amount of sugar, fat and calories increases. Mature milk (after 10 days it is produced) is high in protein, fat and calories. The white milk comes later after a few days and its temperature and texture is just right for the baby. Breast milk is easier to digest for the baby than the cow milk. Breastfeeding is a great method for feeding the baby and it offers many benefits for both the mother and the baby. It is cost effective to breast feed, offers convenience, and it has many emotional and physical benefits. Breastfeeding is the first relationship an infant will have with the mother. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended exclusively breastfeeding the infant for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health (WHO).
According to BioMed Central Publishes (BMC) “the reasons for low prevalence of EBF(Exclusively breastfeeding)

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