Human Milk For Human Babies by Anne Stiller, RNC, IBCLC

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Human Milk For Human Babies
by Anne Stiller, RNC, IBCLC

Human milk is made for human babies: Breastfeeding is the natural continuation of pregnancy. Human babies are meant to receive their mothers' milk immediately after they are born, and for about the first six months of life, mothers' milk is all that babies need to promote normal, healthy growth and development. Breastmilk contains scores, even hundreds of factors that protect the newborn from illness and provide exactly the balance of proteins, healthy fats and sugars, and everything else the baby needs to continue the growth that began in the womb and produced the amazing little human being that he is at birth. A healthy newborn does not need anything other than his mother's milk; in fact, anything else given to the baby will change the perfect balance in his gut (intestinal tract) and will interfere with nature's provision of a perfect system to protect him from all of the bacteria and viruses that are present around him once he leaves the safety of the womb and comes into the world. Because of this, no formula, water or anything else should be given to the baby unless there is a medical reason for it.(AAP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. (Source: aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496). Supplements of water or formula given to the breastfeeding baby also

Author's Biography:

Anne Stiller, RNC, IBCLC is a certified Maternal-Newborn nurse, Certified Lactation Consultant and a writer on topics related to baby care and parenting at http://bellyHood.com, a social networking website for mothers and expecting mothers.

Posted on: June 14,2008

Email: annerstiller@gmail.com
Website: http://www.bellyhood.com