Breastfeed or Bottle-Feed Your Baby

Keep in mind, your baby is growing almost by the minute. Every day new components of your child's body¡ªher skeletal structure, her sinuses, and more¡ªare being developed and refined. Good food and nutrition are more important now than ever, and nothing is healthier than mother's milk. This is said not to make you feel guilty if you can't breast-feed (and there are a few occasions in which a mother simply isn't able to breast-feed), but merely to state the facts. Numerous studies have shown that the nutritional and relational benefits of breast-feeding are overwhelming, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk for at least the first year of life.

For the first six months or so of a baby's life, you really have only two choices: breast milk or formula. While it takes several weeks of nursing for a mother's milk to completely develop, the most amazing thing about it is that your milk will actually adapt to your child's needs. That's right! In God's miraculous way, the fat content of your breast milk undergoes subtle changes, not only as the baby grows, but also during an individual time of nursing. No scientist can completely mimic this effect. .

Breast-feeding has been shown to help with allergies, infections, and weight control. It is a natural stimulant for your baby's digestive system. As a bonus, if you have a limited income, there is no more economical way to feed your child. Unless your doctor informs you otherwise, there is no need for any kind of supplements during the first six months of your baby's life.

Breast-feeding can seem terribly difficult to the first-time mother. Just about every new mom breaks down into tears, saying, "I thought this was supposed to be easy. Natural. Why won't it work for me?" But hang in there¡ªit will. It may take a few days for your child to learn how to "latch on," and yes, your baby will need to suck for several days before your milk comes in, although he'll get his share of colostrum. Colostrum is the thicker, darker milk produced by your breasts in the first three days or so of nursing. It's low in fat, high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies, and contains a higher concentration of immune factors than your mature milk will. La Leche League International describes it as "a natural and 100% safe vaccine" against later diseases and infections. It will probably take a little longer for your sensitive nipples to adapt to the constant tugging of a hungry baby's mouth. So expect early difficulty instead of being surprised by it. And realize that what you're going through is nearly universal but the benefits are more than worth the early struggle.