I can not continue with breastfeeding, when to go to artificial?
The World Health Organization is clear about the importance of starting breastfeeding immediately after the time the baby is born, and continue with it for at least the following 6 months: "The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding during six months".
In fact, she defends breastfeeding as « the ideal way to provide young children with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development» And he considers that "practically all women can breastfeed, provided they have good information and the support of their family and the health care system" (1).
However, it is true that at certain times and circumstances it can happen that breastfeeding is not possible, making it necessary to change artificial lactation(It becomes the alternative when breastfeeding is not possible, or simply when the mother freely decides not to continue breastfeeding).
Can not you breastfeed your child or do you want to move freely to breastfeeding?
There are many mothers who, during pregnancy, create many expectations, not only in relation to the development and growth of the baby, but regarding breastfeeding, thinking that it will be a wonderful and uncomplicated stage (idealizing it), and then when the time comes they find themselves face to face with some of the usual - and absolutely normal - drawbacks of breastfeeding: the little one does not stick to his chest, the first problems arise in the form of cracks in the nipples, the one known as puerperal mastitis... They also feel tired, lacking energy and courage ...
All this can influence the decision to take the step to artificial lactation, even earlier than expected. For example, the mother had the expectation of continuing with breastfeeding as long as possible (not just a few months), and the first or second month she realizes that it is not possible. It can also be due to mom's illnesses or problems of the mother or child.
If so, and you can not breastfeed your child, you should not feel bad at all. You must be clear that you are not a bad mother because of it. Breastfeeding is really an option, adequate and one hundred percent recommendable, but only you have the ability to breastfeed.
As many experts believe, breastfeeding offers many benefits not only to the baby, but also to the mother: from a nutritional point of view because it provides all those nutrients necessary for its protection and development, because it allows the baby to be very closely united ... But if you need to go to artificial lactation, Choosing a bottle does not mean you can not imitate all the positive aspects of breastfeeding.
For example, you can respect the baby's appetite, the schedules, the duration of the shots and also the volume while trying to maintain the same affective union to your child, transmitting all those feelings that you have and that ultimately are the same as if you were feeding her with your own milk: you look at it, you talk to it, you feel it ...
Does artificial milk provide all the necessary nutrients for the baby?
If you need to go on artificial lactation after a few weeks of breastfeeding, or even from the first moment, you do not have to feel guilty. If you are worried if the formula will be equally nutritious, you should be calm: is a type of milk modified to adapt to the needs of the infant.
Generally it is almost always modified cow's milk, which is nutritionally similar to breast milk. In this way, what is tried is to add the majority of nutrients present in breast milk, which however are not present in cow's milk. And, with this, what is achieved is that the baby gets effects similar to those that the baby has when breastfeeding.
In the market you can find two fundamental types of formula milk depending on the age of the child. The most appropriate is start with the start formula, also known as "type 1", and nutritionally is perfectly adapted to the nutritional needs of the newborn and baby, having a smaller amount of protein and digesting easily. It is recommended until 6 months of age.
The second formula milk is known as continuation milk or "type 2", theoretically recommended from 6 to 18 months. But we say "in theory" because, in fact, as many pediatricians and nutritionists defend, it would be a type of formula that would not be necessary, being the most recommended continue with the milk until 12 months.
Why? Fundamentally because it does not provide any extra benefit except a greater contribution in proteins.However, from 6 months of age, the child begins with complementary feeding and begins to consume meat, cereals, fruits and vegetables, foods that provide protein. Therefore, it would not be so necessary if the baby has adapted perfectly to the rest of the food. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesFeeding the baby
