Breast milk - the miracle liquid

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

Breast milk, the human milk for humans, is the most miraculous fluid that the nature has ever given to the mankind. A drop of breast milk mixed with mothers love will not only make the baby full but it will guard against many childhood diseases. Babies who are breast fed at least for six months will be more active and have a higher IQ level in later. The most important factor is that the consistent breastfeeding of a baby results in good health and is a strong factor in preventing infant death.

This is not magic but it is purely the nutritional values in the breast milk that bring long term benefits for a child. While more babies are starving and dying without access to proper nutrition in developing countries, according to health experts, the single most cost effective method to bring down the infant mortality in developing countries is promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

It is revealed that infant mortality can be brought down by 13 percent by promoting exclusive breastfeeding. The World Health Organization recommended exclusive breastfeeding for six months in 2002.

In Sri Lanka, breast feeding is inherited through generations and it is an accepted practice in the Sri Lankan culture. The national infant feeding policy guidelines in Sri Lanka have recommended six months exclusive breastfeeding since 2005. Estimated current exclusive breastfeeding rate for six months duration is 58 percent according to the Sri Lanka report card on breastfeeding published by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN).

Sri Lanka, with a long history of breastfeeding, can be proud once again as the country has been listed as one of the nations with high rate of breastfeeding. According to UNICEF, Sri Lanka has recorded a high rate for mothers' breastfeeding their babies during the first six months of the baby's life. In line with the World Breastfeeding Week, the country has taken several initiatives led by the Ministry of Health and supported by UNICEF which has also served to increase the country's rate of exclusive breastfeeding from 50 percent to 75 percent from 2000 to 2007. It can reduce the number of deaths caused by acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea, and builds a bond between the mother and child."

UNICEF says that recent scientific studies have found that education and support for mothers significantly extends the number of months that mothers breastfeed, and is especially helpful in promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.

Cow's milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it.

Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier.

Breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.

A breast-fed baby's digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful organisms.

Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in the infant.

Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself.

Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development as well. It's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth.

The baby at the breast also can control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.

Nursing may have psychological benefits for the infant as well, creating an early attachment between mother and child. At birth, infants see only 12 to 15 inches, the distance between a nursing baby and its mother's face.

Studies have found that infants as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mother's milk.

When nursing pads soaked with breast milk are placed in their cribs, they turn their faces toward the one that smells familiar.Many psychologists believe the nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there's skin-to-skin contact during feeding.

Parents of bottle-fed babies may be tempted to prop bottles in the baby's mouth, with no human contact during feeding. But a nursing mother must cuddle her infant closely many times during the day.

Nursing becomes more than a way to feed a baby; it's a source of warmth and comfort.

Courtesy :www.fda.gov

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Tips for breast-feeding

It's helpful for a woman who wants to breast-feed to learn as much about it as possible before delivery, while she is not exhausted from caring for an infant around-the-clock.

tGet an early start: Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, when an infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the mother won't be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease.

tProper positioning: The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. A nurse, midwife, or other knowledgeable person can help her find a comfortable nursing position.

tNurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.

tNo supplements: Nursing babies don't need sugar, water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will produce.

tDelay artificial nipples: It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breast-feed.

tAir dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the mother's very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.

tWatch for infection: Symptoms of breast infection include fever and painful lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.

tExpect engorgement: A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this engorgement, she should feed the baby frequently and on demand until her body adjusts and produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the mother can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and take warm baths to relieve the pain.

Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue.

Processed meat a common cause of cancer

By Dr D. P. Atukorale

The American Institute for Cancer Research and World Cancer Research Fund released the most comprehensive review ever compiled on nutrition and cancer risk in 2007. According to World Cancer Research Fund there is a strong link between processed meats like hot dogs and bacon and colorectal cancer.

No amount of processed meat is considered safe. Processed meats should be avoided completely.

The term "processed meats" - means those that are typically prepared or preserved by smoking, curing or salting or by the addition of preservatives.

This includes ham, bacon, pastrami and salami as well hot dogs and sausages to which nitrites or nitrates have been added. Hamburgers and minced meats may be included as well, depending on processing.

The reports conclusion was based on 44 case control studies (in which diets of individuals with cancer were compared with those of individuals who did not have cancer but who were similar in other respects) and 14 cohort studies (in which diets of individuals were assessed before cancer onset, and the individuals were followed over time to track diet patterns and cancer risk).

The risk of colorectal cancer increases on average by 21 percent for every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily.

Why does it cause cancer?

A 50 gram serving is about the size of a typical hot dog. Some studies have also linked processed meat to cancer of esophagus, lung, stomach and prostate, but evidence is more limited than for colorectal cancer.

From a scientific standpoint, the situation is very much like tobacco and lung cancer.

There are hundreds of chemicals in tobacco smoke, but we still don't know which chemicals cause the lung cancer.

Processed meats contain fat, especially saturated fat as well as plenty of cholesterol and salt. The nitrites that are often used as preservatives or as a colouring or as a flavouring agent can produce N-nitroso compounds, which are suspected carcinogens. In addition, meats cooked at high temperatures may contain carcinogens, including heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Heme iron is also plentiful in red and processed meats. Heme promotes the production of carcinogens and its iron content also leads to production of free radicals.

Despite the scientific consensus that these foods should never be eaten, let alone fed to children, they are still widely consumed. On average, Americans consume about 32 pounds of processed pork products each year. Bacon is routine breakfast fare for many Americans and British and processed meats grace the top of pizzas everywhere.

The National Cancer Institute predicts that in 2008, 108070 individuals will develop colon cancer, 40 740 will develop rectal cancer and 49,960 will die from these conditions in 2008. Colo-rectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in USA.

In most of the developed countries in the world vegetarian options are abundant. More than 16 percent of American and adolescents are overweight. Lifetime cancer risk in USA is now one in three for women and one in two for men.

According to journal of National Cancer Institute 2006 August, one ounce of processed meat per day raises the risk of stomach cancer by 15 to 38 per cent.

Who invented hot dog?

Many hot dog historians credit (or blame) German immigrants pushing food carts in New York City Bowery during the 1860s. One German butcher looking for a simple way to make hot sandwiches in a confined space, came up with the idea of placing a sausage in a roll and he went on to open the first Coney Island hot dog stand.

According to German Chancellor late Otto Van Bismark, "there are two things you don't want to see being made: sausage and legislation".