Breast milk is the most wonderful food product that Nature herself has created. The composition of breast milk is perfectly balanced for all the first 4-6 months of the baby’s life with nutrients. Breast milk is always ready to eat. It has an optimum temperature, it does not need to be cooked, it does not contain bacteria. Breast milk cannot deteriorate, even if the mother has not fed the baby for several days. During feeding, emotional intimacy is established between mother and child, which persists for many years, the child not only satisfies the feeling of hunger, but also calms down (due to the act of sucking itself, as well as the metabolism of breast milk in the child’s body, substances are released that soothe the child and improve sleep).
Mother’s milk is the most valuable and indispensable food product for children in the first months of life, ideally suited for a child. Researchers at the laboratory of chronobiology and chronomedicine of the Al-Farabi KazNU studied the composition of breast milk and determined that the composition of milk varies depending on the age of mothers, on the lactation period, on the region of residence, on the tradition of nutrition. It consists of: the most suitable proteins for the child (serum albumin and globulins) and fats (polyunsaturated fatty acids, medium chain triglycerides) in the required amounts; enough vitamins; iron, which is almost completely absorbed from the intestine; plenty of water, even in hot climates; the required amount of salts of calcium, phosphate, other vital trace elements (selenium, copper, zinc, molybdenum, magnesium, manganese); special enzymes – lipase, lactase and others. Breaking down the main ingredients of milk; substance bifidus – a factor that contributes to the growth and development of normal intestinal microflora, inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria; protein lactoferrin binds iron, also preventing the growth of pathogenic microflora, which need iron for growth; Taurine is essential for building fiber in the eye and brain tissue; carnitine is a fat-like substance that promotes fat metabolism in the cells and tissues of a growing organism; living blood cells (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes) that kill bacteria; antibodies (immunoglobulins) to many common infections.
For feeding children the first months of life recommended free feeding mode. The child himself determines the frequency of attachment to the chest. This mode leads to an increase in milk production, contributes to the prevention of lactostasis, mastitis in women.
A newborn baby can “require” 8 to 12 or more times to be applied to the breast, the duration of feeding can be from 15 to 25 minutes, but it is necessary to know that in the first 2-3 minutes the child sucks from 40 to 50 percent of the milk he needs, in the next 4-5 minutes 70-80 percent.
Scientists of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University several recommendations on the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child:
– Breastfeeding saves a child’s life.
– Breast-feeding-means of the first immunization and immune protection of the child.
– Breastfeeding protects the child from common diseases.
– Breast-feeding is the most complete and optimal nutrition.
– Breast-feeding is the key to the optimal development of the physical and intellectual potential of the child.
– Breastfeeding strengthens the relationship between mother and child.
– Breastfeeding protects the mother from premature unwanted pregnancy.
– Breastfeeding saves the life of the mother, protects her from diseases.
– Breast-feeding is important to stop bleeding after childbirth and accelerate the departure of the placenta.
– Breast-feeding in the involution of reproductive organs after childbirth.