Feeding your newborn

How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition decision you will make for your child. Take a closer look at these guidelines for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding so you can make an informed decision.

Breast or Bottle? The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and other professional groups concerned with the care of newborns advocate breastfeeding as best for your baby.

Specifically, the AAP recommends that babies be breastfeed exclusively for about the first 6 months. Following the introduction of solid foods, breastfeeding should continue through the first year of life and beyond, if desired.

Breastfeeding may not be possible or preferable for all women. Deciding to breastfeed or bottle-feed a baby is usually based on the mother's comfort level with breastfeeding as well as her lifestyle, but breastfeeding may not be recommended for some mothers and babies.

If you have any questions about whether to breastfeed your child, talk to your paediatrician.

Remember, your baby's nutritional and emotional needs will be met whether you choose to breastfeed or formula-feed.

Breastfeeding Advantages

Breastfeeding your newborn has many advantages. Perhaps most important, breast milk is the perfect food for a human baby's digestive system. It contains the vitamins and minerals that a newborn requires, and all of its components - lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat - are easily digested by a newborn's immature system. Commercial formulas try to imitate breast milk, and come close, but the exact composition cannot be duplicated.

Also, breast milk contains antibodies that help protect infants from a wide variety of infectious diseases, including diarrhoea. Studies suggest that breastfed babies are less likely to develop certain medical problems, including diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies.

Breastfeeding may also decrease the chances that the child will become overweight or obese.Breastfeeding is great for moms, too. It burns calories and helps shrink the uterus, so nursing moms get back into shape quicker. Breastfeeding may also protect mom from breast and ovarian cancer.

Some moms find breastfeeding easier and quicker than formula-feeding; it needs no preparation, and you don't run out of breast milk in the middle of the night. Also, breastfeeding costs little.

Nursing mothers do need to eat more and may want to buy nursing bras and pads, a breast pump, or other equipment. But these expenses are generally less than the cost of formula.

Breastfeeding meets a variety of emotional needs for both moms and babies - the skin-to-skin contact can enhance the emotional connection, and providing complete nourishment can help a new mother feel confident in her ability to care for her newborn.

Formula-feeding Advantages

Commercially prepared infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. Bottle-feeding can offer more freedom and flexibility for the mother, and it makes it easier to know how much the baby is getting.

Because babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk, a baby who is getting formula may need fewer feedings than one who breastfeeds.

Formula-feeding also can make it easier to feed the baby in public, and allows the father and other family members to help feed the baby, which can enhance bonding.

Limitations of Breastfeeding

With all the good things known about breastfeeding, why doesn't every mother choose to breastfeed?

Breastfeeding requires a substantial commitment from a mother. Some mothers feel tied down by the constant demands of a nursing newborn.

Since breast milk is easily digested, breastfed babies tend to eat more often than babies who are fed formula. This means mom may find herself in demand as frequently as every 2 or 3 hours in the first few weeks. This can be tiring, but it's not long before babies feed less frequently and sleep longer at night.

Some new mothers need to get back to work outside the home or separate from their babies from time to time for other reasons. Some of these moms opt for formula-feeding so other caregivers can give the baby a bottle. Mothers who want to continue breastfeeding can use a breast pump to collect breast milk to be given in a bottle so their babies still get its benefits even when mom isn't available to breastfeed.

Other family members (dads most of all) may want to share in this most fundamental of baby care routines and participate in feeding the baby.

When mom is breastfeeding, dad or siblings may want to stay close by.

Helping mom get comfortable, or providing a burp cloth when needed, will let them be part of the experience. Once breastfeeding is established, other family members can help out by giving the baby pumped breast milk in a bottle when mom needs a break.

Sometimes a woman may feel embarrassed or apprehensive about the prospect of breastfeeding. These feelings usually disappear once a successful breastfeeding process is set. It's often helpful to seek advice and perspective from those who've gone through the experience.

Most hospitals and birthing centres can provide in-depth instruction on breastfeeding techniques to new mothers. Your paediatrician, nurse practitioner, or nurse can answer questions or put you in touch with a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding support group.

In some cases, a mother's health may interfere with her ability to breastfeed. For example, mothers undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and moms who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) should not breastfeed.

If you have a medical condition or take any medications regularly, or if you or your baby get sick, talk to your doctor about whether it's alright to breastfeed. If you have to stop nursing temporarily, it's important to continue to pump breast milk to maintain milk production.

In some situations, it may not possible to breastfeed, such as when a baby is sick or born prematurely. Mothers should speak to their baby's doctor about expressing and storing milk. Even if the infant cannot breastfeed, breast milk may be given via a feeding tube or bottle.

Sometimes mothers who have inverted nipples may have difficulty breastfeeding, but with the help of a lactation consultant this usually can be overcome. Likewise, women who have had plastic surgery on their breasts should be able to successfully breastfeed. Be sure to speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Avoid using pacifiers or bottles until after the first month of life.

Introducing them before breastfeeding is known to cause "nipple confusion," and can lead to an infant giving up the breast.

Formula-feeding

Just as breastfeeding has its unique demands, so does bottle-feeding.

Bottle-feeding can require a great deal of organization and preparation, especially if you want to take your baby out. Also, formula costs can be considerable.

It's important to make sure that you have enough formula on hand, and bottles that are clean and ready to be used. Here are a few key guidelines for formula feeding:

Be sure to carefully follow directions on the label when preparing formula.

Bottles left out of the refrigerator longer than one hour and any formula left in the bottle that a baby doesn't finish should be discarded.Prepared bottles of formula should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours and should be carefully warmed just before feeding.

A bottle of formula (or breast milk) should not be warmed in a microwave. The bottle can heat unevenly and leave "hot spots" that can burn a baby's mouth. Your newborn should be nursing eight to 12 times per day during about the first month. In the beginning, mothers may want to try nursing 10 to 15 minutes on each breast, then vary the time as necessary.

Once your milk supply is established, breastfeeding should be "on demand" (when your baby is hungry), which is generally every 1 to 3 hours.

As newborns get older, they'll need to nurse less frequently - some may feed every hour and a half, whereas others may go 2 or 3 hours between feedings. For babies who are getting formula, they'll likely take about 2 to 3 ounces every 2 to 4 hours. Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding.

Call your baby's doctor if you need to awaken your newborn frequently or continually urge your baby to suck.

Most experts suggest you nurse or feed your baby whenever he or she seems hungry. Signs that babies are hungry include: moving their heads from side to side opening their mouths sticking out their tongues placing their hands and fists to their mouths puckering their lips as if to suck nuzzling again their mothers' breasts showing the rooting reflex (when a baby moves its mouth in the direction of something that's stroking or touching its cheek)

A rigid feeding schedule is not necessary; you and your baby will eventually establish your unique feeding pattern. Babies know (and will let their parents know) when they're hungry and when they've had enough.

Watch for signs that your baby is full (slow, uninterested sucking; turning away from the breast or bottle) and stop the feeding once these signs appear.

- KidsHealth.org

Make your home safe for your child

by Nilma Dole

Accidents are a dramatic cause of injury in children, said Dr. Kalyani Guruge, the President of the College of Paeditricians and Consultants at the General Hospital, Colombo and the Lady Ridgeway Teaching Hospital. "Often people relate accidents to traffic and motor accidents but a majority of accidents takes place at home. In fact, there have been cases that have led to death," said the doctor.

Dr. Kalyani Guruge

Even though many think the home is a safe place, what they don't realise is that the hazards that can cause a child. "The main cause of accidents is general negligence of safety at home," she said.

Dr. Guruge added, "Poisoning is the fifth most common cause of fatal injury in children around the world with the average child whose age is less than 2 years can fall prey to household products and children over 2 years have the risk of consuming medicines that often look like sweets to them.

The doctor also mentioned that they themselves do not determine what hazards are there at home.

"In case of burns, mothers often start putting hot water in the children's bath tub first and then add cold water which is dangerous to a child," said Dr. Guruge. Another such hazard is leaving pots and pans within easy reach of the child on a burning stove. Make sure you add cold water before hot water and remember when you keep anything hot unattended, warned the doctor.

Dr.Guruge highlighted that cords, wires or anything with a chain or string attached should be kept away from the child.

"Certain high hazards in the lower class homes are kerosene burns which attribute to many cases of child injury," said Dr.Guruge. She said that those days in the middle and upper middle class houses, the only poison they had was soap. "Of course, children never eat soap but nowadays all products come in nice shapes and nice flavours so the child is tempted.

In fact we had a case of a child swallowing banana face wash." In the case of poisoning, Dr. Guruge said, "Do not ask the child to vomit if you suspect a case of poisoning. Rush him/her immediately to the nearest hospital or doctor." The doctor said that if any poison is brought up to the throat, the chances of fatalities is more since the poison can affect the windpipe.

Chemicals and all medicines should be kept away from children including toys and little things which can make the child swallow it. "Choking, foreign body inhalation and ingestion is also a common injury when it comes to children" said Dr.Guruge.

According to world statistics, about 10 children die as a result of falls every year - some from windows and balconies and the remainder usually from stairs. "Make sure you keep the floors dry and children going to the bathroom or kitchen should be supervised because accidents are likely to occur in these places" said Dr.Guruge.

Redesign your home to make it safe for your child and be wary of the signs of hazards. Accidents can't be completely avoided and children should know about the dangers in the world but its occurrence could be prevented.

To prevent accident to children, adults should pay more attention to home safety. They should also clear any hidden "hazards" at home and teach children about safety.

If accidents happen, stay calm and call for help immediately. "When you go to the doctor, get ready with an explanation about everything the child has done to which may have caused the injury, bring the drugs or poison labels if they have ingested anything and make sure the child also explains what they did to cause the injury" said Dr.Guruge who will participate in the Medicare 2010 exhibition to be held at the BMICH in March.

Give children safe toys	Safety gate prevents child fatalities

Aitken Spence Exhibitions and Conventions will host the national health exhibition with other medical professionals to focus on the local health sector.

Prevention of burns:

1. For adults, never hold a hot drink/food and a child at the same time

2. Ensure milk, cangee or other foodstuff is at a reasonable temperature before feeding

3. Ensure proper fence or door is installed at the entrance of kitchen. Such must be closed at all times. Instruct children not to go into the kitchen

4. All hot objects including an iron or containers with hot matter must not be placed near the margin of a table. Avoid using tablecloth. Matches and lighters should be placed out of reach of children

5. Instruct children not to wander around when adults are preparing for a meal

6. Install proper cover to sockets

7. Warn children never to play with fire.

Regular coffee consumption can reduce risk of prostate cancer

by Madeline Ellis

Leading up to the American Revolution in December 1773, the Boston Tea Party was the historical event that began to transform America into a coffee drinking nation. Today the U.S. is responsible for more than a third of worldwide coffee consumption at 400 million cups every day.

Over the years, thousands of studies have been done examining coffee's impact on health and, for the most part, their results are as pleasing as the aroma of that freshly brewed cup of java.

"Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful," says Dr. Tomas DePaulis, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies. "For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good." Coffee not only perks up energy and helps sharpen the mind, it has been shown to lessen the severity of a heart attack or stroke and protect against certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and gallstones.

There's also evidence that coffee may help stop a headache, boost mood and even prevent cavities. And a study presented this week at the Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research conference in Houston, Texas shows that men who drink coffee on a regular basis have an added benefit-a significantly decreased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.

The study, by researchers from the Channing Laboratory at the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, was based on an analysis of information from the Health Professionals' Follow-Up Study, which included data on the coffee-drinking habits of about 50,000 men from 1986 to 2006. During that time- frame, 4,975 of the men developed prostate cancer, 846 cases being life-threatening because they had spread beyond the prostate gland or were growing aggressively.

The review showed a clear relationship between the amount of coffee consumed and prostate cancer risk. The men who drank the most coffee (six or more cups per day) were nearly 60 percent less likely to develop advanced prostate cancer and 19 percent less likely to develop any form of prostate cancer than men who drank no coffee.

Some of coffee's reported benefits are a direct result of its high caffeine content. An eight ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 85 mg, which is about three and a half times more than the same serving of tea or cola or one ounce of chocolate. But the researchers say the fact that the same risk reduction was seen regardless of whether the man drank regular or decaffeinated coffee suggests it isn't the caffeine but rather coffee's influence on insulin and hormone levels that caused the positive effect on prostate cancer risk.

"Coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism, as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer," said lead author Dr. Kathryn M. Wilson, a research fellow in epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Wilson said though more work is needed before any firm conclusion can be drawn about the relationship between coffee and prostate cancer, the results of this study are encouraging. "Very few lifestyle factors have been consistently associated with prostate cancer risk, especially with risk of aggressive disease, so it would be exciting if this association is confirmed in other studies," Wilson said.

"While it is too early to recommend increasing coffee intake based on this study alone, our results do suggest there is no reason to stop drinking coffee out of any concern about prostate cancer."

Also presented at the conference was a study into the effects of physical activity on prostate cancer survival by another Harvard School of Public Health researcher, Stacey A. Kenfield.

It showed that prostate cancer patients who participated in vigorous physical activity, such as jogging, biking, swimming or playing tennis, for an average of three or more hours per week had a 35 percent lower death rate than those who exercised less frequently or not at all. For those who walked regularly (four or more hours per week), overall mortality rates were 23 percent lower than men who walked for less than 20 minutes per week.

Kenfield says that while it's already known that physical activity reduces overall mortality, this is the first study to focus on the effect of exercise on prostate cancer survival.

-Healthnews