Scientists now say the physical effort of sucking milk during breastfeeding may leave babies with stronger lungs as they grow up.
The latest research from the University of Southampton and the College of Veterinary Medicine in Michigan State, USA carried out a 10-year study of 1,445 babies from the Isle of Wight and concluded that children who had been breastfed for at least four months had stronger lung function in later life. One third of the children had been breastfed for at least four months, and on average, these children could blow out more air after taking a deep breath and could blow it out faster. This happened regardless of whether the mother had allergies or asthma related conditions.
Scientists now say this could be because of the effort of sucking during breastfeeding. Recent research by the University of Sunderland also showed there was lower incidence of asthma in children who had been breastfed for six months or more.
Because breastfeeding provides many proven benefits for babies, current advice from the Department of Health is that where possible, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.
However the debate between breast milk and formula has been going on for some time and there is actually no right or wrong choice when it comes to making a decision about how to feed your baby. Whilst the general belief is that breast milk is by far the best nutritional choice for your baby, it's what's best for baby that counts.
There are some circumstances why mums may not be able to breastfeed their baby:- inadequate milk supply, breast infection, surgery, baby's inability to suck or conflict with family or work situation.
The best alternative to breast milk is infant formula which is made specifically to have all the nutrients needed for your baby's development. Babies under one year should not be given cow's milk or sweetened juices.
Benefits of bottle feeding:-
- Formula usually takes much longer to digest so the time gap between feeds is longer
- Anyone can feed the baby with a bottle and may give your partner a chance to ‛bond' with your baby at feeding time
- With bottle feeding you know how much your baby is drinking
- As a mum, it may be more convenient as it frees up your time
- If you breastfeed, you have to be careful what you eat or drink or if you take medication. Mums who bottle feed won't have those restrictions
Downside of bottle feeding:-
- It can be expensive - whereas breast milk is free
- Formula-fed babies may have more problems with gas or constipation and often have firmer bowel movements
- Formula needs to be mixed with the exact amount of water each time and bottles and nipples need to be sterilised properly. The ready-to-feed formulas can get quite expensive
- Breast milk contains antibodies which help protect the baby. These antibodies are not found in formula milk.
- If bottles or teats are not sterilised properly there is a risk of infection to the baby. Formula left in a bottle for over an hour should be thrown away
Do's and Don'ts for bottle fed babies:-
- Never be tempted to ‛prop' a baby up leaving a bottle in its mouth as there is a risk of choking. Use the feeding time to get close to your child.
- It's tempting to use a microwave to heat up bottles - if you do, shake the bottle really well once it comes out of the microwave and shake out a little milk on the inside of your wrist to test the temperature.
- Wash your hands before you make up a feed. It's obvious, but the huge increase in bacterial infections can often be linked to inadequate and infrequent hand-washing before handling food or food stuffs.
- Never feed a baby while she or he is lying down - always feed them in a semi-upright position
- Make sure the teat and neck of the bottle are full of liquid as your baby feeds.
- Don't force her to finish the whole bottle - it's still demand feeding up to around six months
- Burp your baby - saves screaming later!
For more information, these sites are useful:-
www.cow&gate.co.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.aptimil.co.uk
www.phillips.com
www.mothercare.co.uk
