Dear Readers,

F.C. from Hope Road, Kingston 6, is 24 years old and a soon-to-be mother. She is a busy person and is trying to make some important decisions about the care of her expected baby.

She asks LIFELINE if breast feeding gives a significant advantage to the baby. The research she has done shows that the formulas available are very nourishing and very similar to breast milk and she has to weigh the issue of breastfeeding against her need to return to work and earn a living. She is self-employed.

To breastfeed or to give a baby formula has often been a source of feeling 'good' about a commitment to the baby versus feeling 'guilty' about not mothering the infant enough. The slogan 'the breast is best' is still relevant, all things being equal. However, in this difficult world, the issues are not so clear cut. While breastfeeding is important for the newborn, so is the provision of shelter and clothing. The decision is really a very personal one to make. Whichever method is chosen, feeding time is often the time when mother and infant are closest both physically and emotionally. From the point of view of building a relationship, feeding time is when affection and a special caring is conveyed from mother to infant. It is an expression of love and helps the infant feels secure. These times shared with the baby help to develop his/her personality. This deep link at feeding time is present whether the baby is breastfed or bottle fed.

Breastfeeding does offer some advantages. Breast milk fed directly from the breast is always 'fresh' and babies are not allergic to breast milk, although they can react to some food kind which the mother ingested as a part of her diet. Usually, whatever food kind the baby is allergic to can be eliminated from the mothers diet while nursing.

Breast milk also offers temporary immunity from several diseases to the infant while the mother breastfeeds. This is a real gift from mother to child. Human milk also remains the most digestible of all milk available to babies. Sucking on the breast nipple requires the expenditure of more energy then suckling on a nipple bottle and this activity is excellent for the development of baby's teeth and jaw.

Breastfeeding causes the mothers womb to contract which hastens its shrinkage and return to pre-pregnancy size.

Women who fully breastfeed often experience a delay in the resumption of their menstrual cycle and so breastfeeding also acts as a form of birth control (this is not infallible).

Bottle security

The baby does gain from the warmth and closeness of the mother's body during breastfeeding, but this experience of security and a sense of well-being also occurs from loving handling during bottle feeding. Again, if the mother eats a well-balanced diet, the baby will receive milk rich in vitamins and proteins.

Some mothers worry that they cannot provide enough breast milk but unless the mother is in poor health, over tired or stressed out, the baby will very quickly get enough breast milk. There is no harm to the baby if for a few days the milk supply is a bit less than ideal. Be calm, rest, drink fluids and put the baby to the breast!

Many women combine breast and bottle feedings regularly which allows the mother more freedom to do other activities while allowing the baby to still obtain the 'pluses' from breastfeeding.

Breast milk can also be expressed with the help of a breast pump and left refrigerated for the baby's use. Expressed breast milk can be used refrigerated for nearly 24 hours and if frozen, can be used for nearly two weeks (although it looks a bit darker).

Never refreeze milk or use 'leftover' milk from a previous feed for more than a few hours.

The advantage of bottle formula feeds are that the mother can plan more activities into her life as other individuals, for example the father can assist with this vital part of baby care. Again, this is good for emotional bonding between another key person in the baby's life, his/her father. Formula feeds these days imitate breast milk very closely, so then nutritionally, the baby does not experience any lack at all.

Write Lifeline

P.O. Box 1731

Kingston 8