Bozur
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Post by Bozur on Aug 9, 2008 18:46:35 GMT -5
Breast-Feeding: The Stress Buster That Lasts for Years
livescience.com — Breast-feeding offers a host of benefits to both mother and baby, including a stronger immune system for the baby and faster weight loss for mom. There are even some known psychological benefits from breast-feeding, such as a stronger parent-child bond. But British researchers have recently discovered another mental bonus...More… (Health)
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Health Breast-Feeding: The Stress Buster That Lasts for Years
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter posted: 08 August 2008 05:12 pm ET
(HealthDay News) -- Breast-feeding offers a host of benefits to both mother and baby, including a stronger immune system for the baby and faster weight loss for mom. There are even some known psychological benefits from breast-feeding, such as a stronger parent-child bond.
But British researchers have recently discovered another mental bonus -- children who are breast-fed seem to cope with stress and anxiety more effectively when they reach school age.
In a group of almost 9,000 children between the ages of 5 and 10, children who weren't breast-fed and whose parents were getting divorced or separated were 9.4 times more likely to be highly anxious when compared to other children. But, children who were breast-fed as infants whose parents were getting divorced were only 2.2 times as likely to be highly anxious, the study found.
"Breast-feeding is associated with resilience against the psychosocial stress linked with parental divorce/separation," the study's authors concluded in a recent issue of the Archives of Diseases in Childhood.
The authors theorized that the physical contact between mother and child in the first few days of life could help form certain neural and hormonal pathways that affect a person's ability to cope with stress later in life.
Breast-feeding experts have long been aware of the mother-baby bond that occurs during breast-feeding. "There's a lot less verbal communication, but lots of tactile communication and eye contact that promotes positive physiological responses," said Liz Maseth, an outpatient lactation consultant at Akron's Children's Hospital in Ohio.
"Breast-feeding does seem to suppress stress responses in babies, and it does seem that there's a protective effect," she said.
"In terms of the biological possibility, breast milk is pretty amazing stuff, and the tactile interaction that goes along with breast-feeding does have an influence on the development of neurons," explained Judy Hopkinson, an associate professor of pediatrics in the section of nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Hopkinson added that babies who aren't breast-fed may be able to reap similar benefits with lots of holding and touching.
The study authors also suggested that the bond created during breast-feeding might affect the way the child and the mother interact, and that effect might be long-lasting.
Hopkinson pointed out that mothers who are successful at breast-feeding often have a supportive social network, which could also help lessen a child's stress in times of crisis.
Whatever the reason for the association, it was clear that children who had been breast-fed were less stressed.
Both Maseth and Hopkinson said it's very important to try to begin breast-feeding as soon as possible after birth -- no more than one hour. Maseth said this is because the breasts contain glands that release the same scent as amniotic fluid, a scent that babies will recognize.
"For most mothers, breast-feeding doesn't come naturally. If the baby doesn't latch on, it can lead to feelings of failure and concern about whether or not the baby is getting enough milk. Women need lots of encouragement and education," Maseth said.
"Don't give up, though, seek help" she advised, adding that your baby's pediatrician will likely have information on what local breast-feeding resources are available.
"Breast-feeding is something for mothers and babies to enjoy. A time for them to cherish and nurture each other," said Hopkinson. For women who can't breast-feed, she said, that skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby can also help build a similar bond. www.livescience.com/
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Bozur
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Post by Bozur on Aug 9, 2008 18:49:25 GMT -5
BREASTFEEDING KNOW HOW
* How breast milk is made * Tips for making it work * Breast compression * Getting enough milk
How Breast Milk is Made Anatomy of the Breast
Knowing how the breast is made and how it works to produce milk can help you understand the breastfeeding process. The breast actually begins developing in the first few weeks of gestation, before birth. But the mammary gland, the gland that produces milk, does not become fully functional until lactation begins. When a woman's breasts become swollen during pregnancy, this is a sign that the mammary gland is getting ready to work. The breast itself is a gland that is composed of several parts, including glandular tissue, connective tissue, blood, lymph, nerves, and fatty tissue. Fatty tissue is what mostly affects the size of a woman's breast. Breast size does not have an effect on the amount of milk or the quality of milk a woman produces.
Anatomy of the Breast Diagram of a breast, showing Lobe, Areola, Nipple, Milk Duct, and Alveoli Cells.
Preliminary diagram of the milk duct system based on recent research from Hartmann, et. al.
Milk is secreted from the alveoli cells. When the alveoli cells are stimulated by a hormone, they contract and push the milk into the ductules and down into larger milk ducts underneath the nipple and areola. When the baby's gums press on the areola and nipple, milk is squeezed into the baby's mouth. The nipple tissue protrudes and becomes firmer with stimulation, which makes it more flexible and easier for the baby to grasp in the mouth. In the diagram, you can see that each mammary gland forms a lobe in the breast. Each lobe consists of a single branch of alveoli and milk ducts that narrow into an opening in the nipple. Each breast has about seven to ten lobes.
The Role of Hormones
Hormones play a key role in breastfeeding. The increase of estrogen during pregnancy stimulates the ductules to grow. After delivery, estrogen levels drop and remain low in the first several months of breastfeeding. The increase of progesterone during pregnancy also causes the alveoli and lobes to grow. Prolactin, also called the "mothering hormone," is another hormone that is increased during pregnancy and adds to the growth of breast tissue. Prolactin levels also rise during feedings as the nipple is stimulated. As prolactin is released from the brain into the mother's bloodstream during breastfeeding, alveolar cells respond by making milk. Oxytocin is the other hormone that plays a vital role because it is necessary for the let-down, or milk-ejection reflex to occur. It stimulates the alveoli cells to contract so the milk can be pushed down into the ducts. Oxytocin also contracts the muscle of the uterus during and after birth, which helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth. The release of both prolactin and oxytocin may be responsible in part for a mother's intense feeling of needing to be with her baby.
Tips for Making It Work
woman breastfeedingBreastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for you and your baby. It's important not to get frustrated if you are having problems. What works for one mother and baby may not work for another, so just focus on finding a comfortable routine and positions for you and your baby. Here are some tips for making it work:
1. Get an early start. You should start nursing as early as you can after delivery (within an hour or two if it is possible), when your baby is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. At first your breasts contain a kind of milk called colostrum, which is thick and usually yellow or golden in color. Colostrum is gentle to your baby's stomach and helps protect your baby from disease. Your milk supply will increase and the color will change to a bluish-white color during the next few days after your baby's birth.
Click here to find out what will happen with your milk and your baby in the next few weeks.
* How to bring baby to breast * Correct Latch * Breastfeeding Holds
2. Nurse on demand. Newborns need to nurse often. Breastfeed at least every 2 hours and when they show signs of hunger, such as being more alert or active, mouthing (putting hands or fists to mouth and making sucking motion with mouth), or rooting (turning head in search of nipple). Crying is a late sign of hunger. Most newborn babies want to breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
3. Feed your baby only breast milk. Nursing babies don't need water, sugar water or formula. Breastfeed exclusively for about the first six months. Giving other liquids reduces the baby's intake of vitamins from breast milk.
4. Delay artificial nipples (bottle nipples and pacifiers). A newborn needs time to learn how to breastfeed. It is best to wait until the newborn develops a good sucking pattern before giving her or him a pacifier. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle can also confuse some babies when they are first learning how to breastfeed. If, after birth, your baby needs to be taken away from you for a length of time and has to be given formula, ask the nurse to use a syringe or cup when feeding him/her to avoid nipple confusion.
5. Breastfeed your sick baby during and after illness. Oftentimes sick babies will refuse to eat but will continue to breastfeed. Breast milk will give your baby needed nutrients and prevent dehydration.
6. Air dry your nipples. Right after birth, you can air-dry your nipples after each nursing to keep them from cracking. Cracking can lead to infection. If your nipples do crack, coat them with breast milk or a natural moisturizer, such as lanolin, to help them heal. It isn't necessary to use soap on your nipples, and it may remove helpful natural oils that are secreted by the montgomery glands, which are in the areola. Soap can cause drying and cracking and make the nipple more prone to soreness.
7. Watch for infection. Signs of breast infection include fever, irritation, and painful lumps and redness in the breast. You need to see a doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Click here for more information.
8. Promptly treat engorgement. It is normal for your breasts to become larger, heavier, and a little tender when they begin making greater quantities of milk on the 2nd to 6th day after birth. This normal breast fullness may turn into engorgement. When this happens, you should feed the baby often. Your body will, over time, adjust and produce only the amount of milk your baby needs. To relieve engorgement, you can put warm, wet washcloths on your breasts and take warm baths before breastfeeding. If the engorgement is severe, placing ice packs on the breasts between nursings may help. Talk with a lactation consultant if you have problems with breast engorgement. Click here for more information.
9. woman sleeping with baby Eat right and get enough rest. You may be thirstier and have a bigger appetite while you are breastfeeding. Drink enough non-caffeinated beverages to keep from being thirsty. Making milk will use about 500 extra calories a day. Women often try to improve their diets while they are pregnant. Continuing with an improved diet after your baby is born will help you stay healthy. But, even if you don't always eat well, the quality of your milk won't change much. Your body adjusts to make sure your baby's milk supply is protected. Get as much rest as you can. This will help prevent breast infections, which are worsened by fatigue.
If you are on a strict vegetarian diet, you may need to increase your vitamin B12 intake and should talk with your health care provider. Infants breastfed by women on this type of diet can show signs of not getting enough vitamin B12.
Breast Compression
Breast compression is a technique made popular by pediatrician and breastfeeding expert Dr. Jack Newman and helps a baby get more milk at each feeding. Once your baby is latched-on well, breast compression will keep him or her feeding actively for a longer time and to “finish” the first breast offered. This is especially helpful for babies who tend to fall asleep at the breast in the middle of a feeding. Despite what many mothers in the hospital are told, this technique does not raise your risk of getting plugged ducts.
When the baby is drinking milk, you do not need to use any breast compression, but once the baby is no longer drinking and is just nibbling, you can start the technique. See the diagrams below. Click on the "Next" button for a demonstration.
Once your baby has finished the first breast and still wants more milk, you can offer the other breast. Signs that your baby has finished with the first breast are falling asleep at the breast and doing no more opening wide, pausing, then sucking. If the compression does not work at first, it does not mean that you have to switch breasts right away. If your baby comes off the breast by him or herself, you might want to try offering the first breast again to see if he or she will drink more. If not, or if your baby is getting fussy or sleepy because the milk flow is slow, you can change your baby over to the other breast. You can experiment with this technique and do a variation of it that works best for you. Getting Enough Milk
photo of babyMost new mothers are concerned about their babies getting enough milk. In the first few days, when you're in the hospital your baby should stay with you in your room if there are no complications with the delivery or with your baby's health. The baby will be sleepy. Don't expect the baby to wake you up when he or she is hungry. You will have to wake the baby every one to two hours to feed him or her. At first you will be feeding your baby colostrum, your first milk that is precious thick yellowish milk. Even though it looks like only a small amount, this is the only food your baby needs. In the beginning, you can expect your baby to lose some weight. This is very normal and is not from breastfeeding. As long as the baby doesn't lose more than 7 to 10% of his or her birth weight during the first three to five days, he or she is getting enough to eat.
You can tell your baby is getting enough milk by keeping track of the number of wet and dirty diapers. In the first few days, when your milk is low in volume and high in nutrients, your baby will have only 1 or 2 wet diapers a day. After your milk supply has increased, your baby should have 5 to 6 wet diapers and 3 to 4 dirty diapers every day. Consult your pediatrician if you are concerned about your baby's weight gain. You should visit your pediatrician between three to five days after your baby's birth and then again at two weeks of age.
This chart shows the minimum number of diapers for most babies. It is fine if your baby has more.
Baby’s Age
Wet Diapers
Dirty Diapers Color and Texture Day 1 (birth) 1 Thick, tarry and black Day 2 2 Thick, tarry and black Day 3 3 Greenish yellow Day 4 5 - 6 Greenish yellow Day 5 5 - 6 Seedy, watery mustard color Day 6 5 - 6 Seedy, watery mustard color Day 7 5 - 6 Seedy, watery mustard color
After you and your baby go home from the hospital, your baby still needs to eat about every one to two hours and should need several diaper changes. You still may need to wake your baby to feed him or her because babies are usually sleepy for the first month. In the early weeks after birth, you should wake your baby to feed if four hours have passed since the beginning of the feeding. If you are having a hard time waking your baby, you can try undressing or wiping his or her face with a cool washcloth. If your baby falls asleep while breastfeeding, you can try breast compression. As your milk comes in after the baby is born, there will be more and more diaper changes. The baby's stools will become runny, yellowish, and may have little white bumpy "seeds."
Overall, you can feel confident that your baby is getting enough to eat because your breasts will regulate the amount of milk your baby needs. If your baby needs to eat more or more often, your breasts will increase the amount of milk they produce. To keep up your milk supply when you give bottles of expressed breast milk for feedings, pump your milk when your baby gets a bottle of breast milk.
Other signs that your baby is getting enough milk are:
* Steady weight gain, after the first week of age. From birth to three months, typical weight gain is four to eight ounces per week. * Pale yellow urine, not deep yellow or orange. * Sleeping well, yet baby is alert and looks healthy when awake.
Remember that the more often and effectively a baby nurses, the more milk there will be. Breasts produce and supply milk directly in response to the baby's need or demand. Problems
If you are still having problems breastfeeding after following these tips, it is important to talk with your doctor, nurse or a breastfeeding support person such as a peer counselor or lactation consultant. Click here for more information on Coping with Breastfeeding Challenges or Where to Go for Help.
Current as of August 2005 www.womenshealth.gov/
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