Breast milk is the best food for your baby for the
first six months of his life. Studies have proved beyond doubt that,
babies who have been breast fed for the first six months of their lives,
stay healthier throughout their lives. It is very important that, you
feed the baby the first milk your breast produces, known as colostrum.
This is rich in antibodies and other substances that protect the baby
from infections and illness. If you have a family history of diabetes,
asthma, eczema etc. formula milk and increase the risk of these diseases
in the baby.
Breast-feeding prevents illnesses like chest infections, ear infections
and diarrhea. Protection for some illness last long after you have
stopped breast-feeding. Feeding the baby breast milk only, will provide
the best protection against infections. Even a combination of breast
milk and formula milk will decrease the risk of infection considerably.
Even mothers benefit from breast-feeding their babies. The cases of
breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis, at a later stage in life
are much less among women who have breast-fed their babies.
If you decide to combine breast-feeding with bottle-feeding then,
bottle-feeding should be introduced only after the baby gets used to
breast- feeding. This will ensure that you have sufficient supply of
breast milk. If you are unsure about whether to breast-feed or
bottle-feed, it is better to start breast-feeding. As if you start
bottle-feeding it is difficult to change to breast-feeding.
Bottle-feeding is more expensive than breast-feeding as well. Here are
some ways to ensure a good milk supply:
