Breast feeding
Breast feeding
Breast feeding (pronunciation: /ˈbrɛst ˌfiːdɪŋ/) is the process of feeding a baby or young infant with milk directly from a woman's breasts, rather than using infant formula from a bottle.
Etymology
The term "breast feeding" is derived from the Old English words "breost" meaning "breast" and "fēdan" meaning "to feed".
Definition
Breast feeding is a natural method of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. It is recommended by many health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, for the first six months of life due to the many health benefits it provides to both the mother and the baby.
Benefits
Breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first six months of life. It is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from illness. Studies have shown that breastfed babies have lower risks of asthma, leukemia, obesity, ear infections, eczema, diarrhea and vomiting, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and type 2 diabetes.
Techniques
There are several techniques for breast feeding, including the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position. Each technique has its own benefits and can be chosen based on the mother's and baby's comfort.
Related Terms
- Lactation: The process of producing breast milk.
- Colostrum: The first form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals immediately following delivery of the newborn.
- Mastitis: Inflammation of the breast, which may result in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. It can also cause flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.
- Weaning: The process of gradually introducing an infant to what will be its adult diet and withdrawing the supply of its mother's milk.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Breast feeding
- Wikipedia's article - Breast feeding
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