BREASTMILK

Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for infants' health, growth, immunity and development.
-- Healthy People 2010, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

One of the most important concerns for working moms today is how to feed their infants. Many health experts agree that breastfeeding is the ideal way, for optimum nutrition. Specifically, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months and then breastfed with complementary foods for at least twelve months.
Studies have demonstrated over the years that breastfeeding has many benefits both for the baby as well as the mother.

Benefits for the infants :

• Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

• A baby is at lower risk for the following health problems: ear infections, stomach viruses, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, respiratory infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma, obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, allergies, colic, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and some gastrointestinal diseases.
• Decreased risk of tooth decay. Children have fewer cavities if they are breastfed as infants.
• Promotes healthy growth. Breastfeeding promotes the development of the facial structure, improves speech, straightens teeth, and strengthens vision.
• Internal development. By internal, I mean emotionally and spiritually; a baby who is breastfed develops more strongly in these areas.
• Acquired antibodies. Breast milk contains antibodies (that come from the mother) that baby’s benefit from. If the baby doesn’t have those antibodies, they are more susceptible to certain infections and diseases.
• Colostrum benefits. Colostrum is the first milk that a woman produces when breastfeeding; it coats the gastrointestinal tract, providing a shield against some bacteria. Colostrum also acts as a natural laxative so it can help clear the baby’s intestines of bacteria and other things.
• Easier to digest. For most babies, the proteins in breast milk are easier to digest than formula, which comes from cow’s milk.
• Entering the real world peacefully. Breastfeeding provides a nice transition to an infant as they are entering a whole new world.

Benefits of breastfeeding for the mothers:

• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
• Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding delays the return of normal ovulation and menstrual cycles.
• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.
• Breastfeeding makes your life easier. It saves time and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!
• A mother can give her baby immediate satisfaction by providing her breast milk when her baby is hungry.
• Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.
•  Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.
• Breastfeeding mothers may have increased self-confidence and feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants

Method to ensure feeding Pump it at work- In order to feed your baby your fresh milk you can visit the day care center in your lunch time and feed them there. If this is not possible then you can pump your milk at work and save that in a bottle. You can always save the breast pumped milk for a day.You can send that to your baby’s day care center and ensure his feeding.
Planning for feeding schedule- if milk feeding in day care centre is not possible then plan your timing as soon as you reach home after work. You can feed your baby once you get back home and the other time before leaving your home for work.

Why pumping?

Pumping is the best way to get rid of stale milk. Moreover this process also helps in the circulation of the milk through your body so that you can produce more milk. The massage also helps in stimulating your breast help in more milk to spurt out. Many times your nipples get clogged and also ache while passing the milk. Pumping maintain the flow of your milk and its also prevent the clogging of your nipple so that your baby can enjoy your milk and get the nourishment which he requires.