DOCTORS SAY BREAST MILK IS BEST FOR BABIES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 12, 1993                   TAG: 9304100214
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By LINELL SMITH THE BALTIMORE SUN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
DOCTORS SAY BREAST MILK IS BEST FOR BABIES
Breastfeeding advocates underline the psychological benefits of breastfeeding as uniting mother and child in a symbiotic relationship. There are immediate physical benefits as well:
For human babies, human milk is simply the best possible food. According to "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5," a book by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the major ingredients of breast milk are sugar, easily digestible protein and fat - all balanced to suit the baby. In addition, minerals, vitamins and enzymes may aid the digestive process. (Although formulas can approximate the combination of nutrients, they cannot provide enzymes, antibodies and other valuable ingredients.)
"Babies that are breastfed are less susceptible to various infections - gastroenteritis is probably the first one - many of the stomach viruses and also possibly respiratory illnesses and ear infections," says pediatrician John Boscia, assistant chairman of the department of pediatrics at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. "They have a decreased incidence of food allergies as well.
Other pluses are: the skin-to-skin contact, which is soothing to the baby, and the feeding activity, which offers an opportunity for closeness between mother and child. Also, some studies suggest that breastfeeding can decrease the chance of infantile obesity and perhaps increase IQs.
There are also physical benefits to the mother, according to obstetrician Frank Witter, co-director of the Breastfeeding Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital:
The uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy shape more quickly, reducing postpartum bleeding.
Because breastfeeding requires an average of 500 extra calories a day, mothers return to their pre-pregnant weights more quickly.
Positive feelings from nurturing an infant increase a new mother's self-confidence.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB