Protected: Health Tip: Bonding With Your Infant

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

The Facts on Moms and #Breast-feeding (INFOGRAPHICS)

Happy weekend everyone!

Infographics are fun and they’re becoming more and more popular this year especially, so when I see one that’s as interesting as the one below I get excited and must share.

Source:LiveScience

OTHER USEFUL FACTS FROM THE INFOGRAPHIC–
Less than one-quarter of babies in the U.S. are still being breast-fed 12 months after birth, according to a 2011 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nutrition branch. In sharp contrast, a survey of 79 countries by The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that more than half of the children were still breast-feeding at 2 years.

Multiple studies show that breast-feeding is beneficial for both mother and infant. Breast milk reduces allergies, colds, infections and other health problems. It also boosts the baby’s immune system, protecting them from illnesses.

Breast-fed babies have lower rates of ear infections, eczema, diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infections, sudden infant death syndrome, obesity, leukemia and childhood diabetes.

Mothers who breast-feed have lower rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by breast-feeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age, and continued breast-feeding as long as mother and baby chose to do so. However, most mothers in the U.S. do not breast-feed the recommended six months, which researchers theorize may contribute to more health issues in the future.

Breastfeeding is so important in brain health and development for babies. I will say though that I actually thought I would only breastfeed Arianna for 6 months at most. But the bonding experience I get with her and the incredible feeling of being her food source is so empowering and fulfilling as a mother. And now  I can’t imagine not breast-feeding my LO for that extra 6 months until she turns 1 year old.

When did you stop breast-feeding your LO?

XoG

Baby First Year: Bottle Feeding

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “breastfeeding infants for up to 6 months versus 4 months actually help to decrease risk of respiratory tract infection.”  So when I was pregnant, I knew Arianna would be breastfed. Breastfeeding is such a bonding experience between mother and child that not doing was not an option. What I was not expecting to happen was my LO not taking a bottle. I was a little take aback by how much she rejected the bottle. I had always assume that all babies, including mine, eat from the bottle with little or no issues at all. Apparently, I was wrong and Arianna is showing me she is definitely the boss around here!

I tried Gerber Good Start Protect…

… I tried Enfamil, she didn’t like this either, so …

I tried Similac Advance

After trying all three formulas with no success, I started to look at other factors. So I tried nipples from different brands– Playtex, to Gerber, to Avent and bottles from Playtex Ventaire baby bottle system, and the first years Breastflow system bottles, which is supposed to be “perfect for breastfed babies!” I’ve also tried mixing breast milk with formula (I mixed 1oz of breast milk and 1oz of formula). None of these work. I will regroup and write a follow-up post to let you know if I am successful at bottle feeding.

How did you get your LO to take to bottle feeding?