Practical Home Care

Author: Du Ping, Li Jing, Wu Chengxiang / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
1. Infant Feeding
The neonatal period refers to the time from 28 days after birth to 1 year of age. This period is the fastest stage of growth and development for children, with an average increase of 50% in height, 200% in weight, 30% in head circumference, the eruption of milk teeth, the ability to sit, crawl, and begin to walk and talk. Therefore, sufficient nutrition is needed to ensure normal growth and development and to prevent malnutrition, rickets, anemia, and other conditions. However, at this stage, the digestive and absorption functions are not yet fully developed, and the immune system is weak. Improper feeding can easily lead to digestive disorders and malnutrition.
[Breastfeeding] Breast milk is the most suitable food for infants. Human milk includes colostrum (milk produced before birth and in the first 4 days after birth), transitional milk (milk produced from 5 to 10 days after birth), mature milk (milk produced from the 11th day to 9 months after birth), and late milk (milk produced after 10 months after birth). Colostrum is grayish-yellow and rich in immunoglobulins. Transitional milk has a higher fat content while gradually decreasing in protein and minerals. Late milk has lower nutritional components. Generally, what is referred to as human milk is mature milk.
(1) Advantages of Breastfeeding
1. Breast milk has high nutritional value. Under normal circumstances, breast milk contains complete nutrients, with appropriate proportions and relatively stable concentrations of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. For example:
① Although the total protein content in breast milk is relatively low, it has more albumin and less casein, so the curds formed in the stomach are small and easy to digest and absorb.
② Breast milk contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, providing abundant essential fatty acids. The fat globules are small, and it contains more lipase, which is beneficial for digestion and absorption.
③ Breast milk has a high lactose content, with a predominance of type B lactose, which promotes the growth of intestinal lactobacilli.
④ Breast milk contains more trace elements such as zinc, copper, and iodine, especially in colostrum. Although the iron content is the same as that in cow's milk, its absorption rate is five times higher.
⑤ Breast milk has an appropriate calcium-phosphorus ratio, making it easy to absorb.
⑥ Breast milk contains more digestive enzymes, such as amylase and lactase, which aid in food digestion.
⑦ Amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and taurine in breast milk are beneficial for the development of the infant's nervous system, making the child smarter.
2. Breast milk enhances the infant's immune system.
① Breast milk contains secretory immunoglobulin A, particularly abundant in colostrum. It is not affected by the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, is not digested, and can bind to pathogens and allergens in the intestines, preventing them from invading the intestinal mucosa. Thus, it has anti-allergic and anti-infective effects.
② Breast milk contains a high amount of lactoferrin, which can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, providing anti-infective effects.
③ Other factors, such as bifidus factor, can promote the growth of lactobacilli, inhibit Escherichia coli, and reduce intestinal infections. Additionally, there are lysozyme, catalase, staphylococcal inhibitor, and complement. These factors play a role in preventing intestinal infections in infants.
3. Infants rarely have allergic reactions when consuming their mother's milk.
4. Breastfeeding is more convenient and economical than artificial feeding. Breast milk is almost a sterile food, free from the risk of infection or spoilage due to improper storage. Moreover, its secretion increases with the growth of the infant, and its temperature and suckling speed are also more suitable.
5. During breastfeeding, there is more skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant. The mother's words, touch, kisses, and body warmth, especially eye contact between mother and infant, make the infant feel maternal love and strengthen the mother-child bond. Sensory stimuli such as vision, hearing, and touch can stimulate the development of the infant's perception, which is the earliest form of intellectual development for newborns. Additionally, mothers can take this opportunity to closely observe subtle changes in the infant.
6. Breastfeeding immediately after childbirth can stimulate uterine contractions, accelerate postpartum recovery, and reduce the risk of breast cancer in mothers.
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