by Fiona Mather

Created on: May 17, 2008   Last Updated: October 13, 2009

When a baby is born it will instinctively want to latch on to the breast, this ensures immediate bonding between mother and baby. There is a saying breast is best and this really is the answer to the question. Breast milk is already made up, complete, and is nutritionally perfect for your baby, containing everything your baby needs to grow and develop, therefore, tailored to your baby's needs. Breast milk also has anti-bodies in it that are passed to the baby and are important in helping the baby to develop a strong immune system.

Of course it may not always be possible for some mothers to breast feed, and whatever the reason for this they should not be made to feel that they have in any way failed as a mother. Many babies have been and are being brought up on artificial baby milk and are perfectly healthy.

In the first few days after birth a substance called colostrum is produced and is highly nutritious this will gradually change to breast milk within the first week of birth. Colostrum is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, proteins and antibodies and is very easy to digest, making it the perfect first food for your baby. In fact there is a higher concentration of immune factors in colostrum than in mature breast milk, however, as long as breast feeding continues the baby will continue to receive immunological protection against many different viruses and bacteria.

Some other advantages to breast feeding are -
1)Breast milk is always at the right temperature.
2)Breast milk is always there, no need to worry about carrying equipment around with you, like bottles or formula milk.
3)Breast milk has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrate and proteins, and of course the added advantage of anti-bodies incorporated into it. No need to worry about measuring out the correct amount of formula.
4)It is good for the environment, no excess packaging, no need for sterilizing equipment.

It is important that the mother feels confident and relaxed when breast feeding and that she is not made to feel inferior if she encounters difficulties at first. Breast feeding can be hard to get used to, and during the first days and weeks the mother might be prone to baby blues or the more severe form of post-natal depression. It is essential that the mother is given lots of emotional support from medical staff and from her family. Even if a mother only manages to breast feed her baby for a few days this will be beneficial to the overall health of her child.

Nature gave women breasts for a reason, to feed and nourish babies.

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