Breast Feeding Help!!
Barry Rosen
Lauri,
Since I'm male, I'm certainly not the expert here but my wife and I
(yes, the two of us) have been very successful.
I am assuming (not always the right thing to do) that your non-breast
feedings are not of expressed breast milk and that are probably one of
the prepared formulas. These differ widely (you'd find it hard to
believe how much) not only in their content but in the quantity of
each of the ingredients. I can not recall the brand name, but there
is at least one which attempts to mimic the ingredient ratios in human
breast milk. If you are interested, I will try to find it for you.
Many of the prepared formulas have various sugars added to them in
some quantity (sucrose, maltose, glucose, etc.) There is much
discussion on this, much of it centered on not only the need but the
quantity and type. There are some groups which feel that there is
some "addicting" to many of the formulas. Understand that there is
also a very strong manufacturer "lobby" out there. Bottom line, the
formulas may "taste" better and create a perceived need for your baby.
Bottle feeding is considered to be "easier" (from the baby's
perspective) than breast feeding which requires more work from the
baby. Some baby's will switch back and forth more easily than others.
Suggestions: Consider investigating other formulae. Consider whether
you would be comfortable in expressing milk for use in a bottle at
times when you do not want to or can't breastfeed. This also opens
some additional opportunity for your husband to participate in feeding
without utilizing formulas. Try to use one of the bottle nipples
which claim to more closely present a contour resembling the human
nipple. There were a few brands that did this but the only one that
comes to mind now is NUK. A book published by LaLeche League called,
"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding," is still one of the best books I
have read on this topic. The organization (whether you belong or not)
is also a very good local support group and can even refer you to
physicians who are supportive and knowledgeable about such things as
taking drugs (medicine) while breastfeeding, etc. The also have a
wealth of information which I know they will eagerly share with you.
As for foods to avoid, I almost hate to touch this one because I am
convinced and now the clinical evidence is mounting rapidly in this
country finally, that little was known about foods, breastfeeding and
sensitizing babies. Immunologists and allergists are just now slowly
beginning to recognize some of these connections.
Chocolate, which you mention, is not only bad for you (I love it) but
it is one of the most sensitizing foods on the market for babies. It
not only can sensitize them to chocolate but also to other things.
Most of the allergists I know ask their patients to remove this from
their diet immediately whether tests show allergies or not. Many of
the foods which we find gas producing should not be eaten because they
can make the nursing baby behave the same way.
Some books written for the lay person which I think you might find
helpful are those written by Doris Rapp, M.D. She is a pediatrician-
allergist that explains many of the newer findings concerning
allergies, how they can present themselves, many of the common
allergins and how early "history" can affect children later. She is
very clear and can produce demonstratable and reproducible results.
Barry
Posted: Wed 19-Mar-1986 14:29 EST
To: RHEA::DECWRL::"net.kids"