Mother’s milk is the best for the newborn even if the young one is ill or premature. If the mother cannot feed her baby, the milk can be pumped out and fed to infants, better with fortification.

Feeding breast milk to the infants shall start as early as possible, preferably within 30 min after birth. The young one should always be in the company of the mother unless and until the circumstances warrant otherwise.

The young one should be nursed 10 – 12 times in day or until the child feels comfortable with the fill up. Usually, 10 – 15 minutes feeding on each breast is sufficient to cause satiety in the newborn.

Milk supplements such as water, glucose, milk formula, pacifiers etc. should be strictly avoided before breast feeding is established. Unless the medical situation requires the use of supplements, the new born can be solely taken care with the breast milk alone during the first six months.

The newborn after discharge should be checked for its weight especially after 3 – 5 days. The infant is also assessed for jaundice, proper hydration and voiding pattern appropriate for the age. A minimum of six urinations and three to four faecal voiding are considered satisfactory.

When the new born has to be put on supplements, it should be postponed to at least 6 months after birth. The first six months period is considered crucial and the child should exclusively receive breast milk. If at all the situation warrants for supplements, the young one should not be fed with cow milk but with iron fortified infant milk formula. It is always better to breast feed the infant continuously for the first six months, along with supplements after sixth month up to one year. Thereafter it is left to the discretion of the mother to breast feed her child.

By scrupulously adopting the above said package of practices, it is indeed possible to have a hale and healthy young one who would definitely act as the pillar of the next generation.

BREAST MILK FEEDING - BEST MILK FEEDING