Breast and Bottle Feeding Whether the infant is to be breast fed or bottle fed is usually a personal matter to be decided

by the new mother. For the average healthy baby, there are no obstacles to breast feeding if the mother desires it and is able to produce and deliver milk. A few women are unable to produce a sufficient supply of milk and most supplement their output with bottle feedings. In a few cases, babies are allergic to mothers milk, but in such instances the allergen can be identified and removed from the mothers diet. Feeding problems are sometimes fewer and less serious among breastfed babies. The mothers milk contains most of the necessary nutrients and is available when needed at the proper temperature. It also is more likely to be fresh and free of infectious bacteria than bottled milk. The mothers milk during first few days after birth is yellowish in color and rich in proteins and minerals. However, the baby arrives in the world with enough stores of iron in its tissues to last through the first few months of life. Mothers milk generally is more easily digestible in the babys stomach than cows milk, because the curd of mothers milk is fine and more rapidly metabolized. On the other hand, mothers who breast-feed sometime suffer from fissuring or cracking of nipples, mastitis (breast inflammation) or diseases that require temporary or permanent discontinuance of breast feeding. Surveys indicate that more than three-fourths of babies today are bottle fed. Many mothers avoid breast feeding because they feel it is socially unacceptable, that it interferes with employment or social life, that it will affect their physical attractiveness, or because of fear of failure. For mothers who select bottle feeding, the procedure is much simpler of the differences in nutritional values of mothers milk and cows milk have been reduce or eliminated by improved formula development. Equipment for preparing the bottled meals is superior to that used in previous generations. And there is less danger today of bacterial infection from cows milk because of improved dairy sanitation methods. New mothers who choose not to breast-feed are usually given hormones, along with ice packs and analgesics, to relieve any breast discomfort that may appear during the first few days. If the mother wants to breast-feed the baby, plans should be made in advance of delivery. The first feeding can be started as soon after the deliver as is feasible for both mother and child, usually within hours after birth. Although the first breast feeding can be delayed for several days, because of the stimulation of milk secretion immediately after delivery, the first ten days to two weeks are crucial in the establishments of a breast feeding program.( The New Complete Medical Health Encyclopedia, Richard J. Wagman, 1990)

Parents also have the option of bottle feeding their baby with a commercially prepared formula, which is a mixture of milk or milk substitutes and added nutrients. Infant formulas are safe and scientifically balance for nutrition. Different formulas are available for infants with digestive problems on other special health needs. (The Developing Child Understanding Childs and Parenting Fifth Edition, Holly E. Brisbane, 1988) Comparing Breast-feeding and Bottle-Feeding *Breastfeeding Advantages Creates a bond through physical closeness with the mother. Provides some natural immunity against disease. Speeds the return of the mothers uterus to normal size. Causes fewer digestive upsets. Is conveniently available at all times. Babies have fewer allergies. Disadvantages Father is unable to participate in feeding. Mothers breast become enlarge and heavy. Medication of the mother is faking may harm the infant. Some mothers find nursing parental. May be difficult due to work schedule. Anxiety on illness can interfere with ability to produce milk.

*Bottle-feeding Advantages Father can participate feeding. Makes return to work easier. Baby can be fed by anyone, anywhere. Disadvantages Formula can be expensive. Greater chance of allergies. Baby may not be given close physical contact during feeding. (page 156)

Signs of a Healthy Baby

Both appearance and behaviour give does to a babys health: A healthy baby is plump, but not fat. Increases in height and weight are steady. Eyes are bright and clear, alert and interested. Hair is glossy. Skin is velvety and smooth. A healthy baby is generally happy, active, and curious. The baby does not tire easily. Muscular control is appropriate for age. Movement are quick and positive, never listless.

.* Average motor skills Development Birth to Twelve Months. One Month Lifts chin when placed on stomach.

Two Months Lifts chest all above surface when placed on stomach.

Three-Four Months Reaches for objects, but unsteadily. Holds up heads steady. Rolls from side to back or back to side. Has complete head control when sitting on lap. Holds head erect when carried.

Five-Six Months Sit alone briefly. Reaches and grasps successfully, but awkwardly. Turns completely over when laid on back or stomach. Prefers to sit up with support. Uses hands to reach, grasp, crumble, bang, and splash.

Seven-Eight Months Reaches for spoon. Pull self up in play pen.

Sits up steadily. Propels self by arms, knees, or squirming motion-cannot creep or craved. Eats with fingers. Picks up large objects.

Nine-Ten Months Walks when lead. Reaches and manipulates objects as well as danger ones. Stands holding on to furniture on other supports. More skill full with spoon. Creeps on hands and knees.

Eleven-Twelve Months Stands alone May be walking alone. Shower preference for one hand over the other. Holds and drinks from a cup. Fits blocks or boxes inside each other. Picks up several objects using thumb and forefinger.

(page 162-163,192-193) *Emotional Development How Emotions Develop Positive Emotions Delight- beginning at about age two months, babies show delight as a general expression of any positive emotional state. Older babies show a wider range of positive emotions. Elation- by seven or eight months, babies shows the high spirits of elation. Affection- at about nine months, babies begin to feel affections to those who provide security and care. Affection for other children comes later. Negative Emotions Distress- in very young babies, any discomfort or unhappiness is expressed in the same way. Anger- by about four or five months, babies show anger when they dont get their way. Older babies show anger at objects as well as at people.

Disgust- disgust can also be observed at 4-5 months of ages. Babies show their dislike very clearly. Fear- until about age six months, babies do not show fear because they cant recognize these things in situations. Fear of strangers begins at about eight months of age. *Social Development The first days of life. Babies respond to human voices from birth, a calm soothing voice them, a harsh or loud voice will upset them. One Month. Most babies stop crying when lifted on touched. Their face brightens when they see a familiar person, usually a parent. Two Months. Babies begins to smile at people since their eyes can follow moving objects, they especially enjoy watching people more about the room. Three Months. Babies turn their head in response to a voice. They want companionship as well as physical care. Four Months. Babies laugh aloud. They look to other for entertainment. Five Months. Babies interests in family members other than parents are increases. They may cry when left alone in a room. At this age, babies babble to their toys or themselves. Six Months. Babies love company and attention. They delightedly play games like peeka-boo and pat-a-cake. Seven Months. Babies prefer parents and other family members or strangers. Eight Months. Babies are beginning to creep. They prefer to be in a room with other parents should provide a safe environment and encourage babies to explore. Nine and Ten Months. Babies are quite socially advanced. They creep after their parents liked to throw toys and have them pick up so they can throw it again. One year babies are most often friendly and happy. They are also sensitive to the emotions of others. They know how to influence and adjust to others emotions. At one year, babies like to be the center of attention. They like to play games with the family and are usually tolerant of strangers.

*Intellectual Development Birth- 12 months One-Two Months Follows moving objects with eyes. Gain information through senses. Prefers faces to objects. Cries to indicate needs. Can distinguish between families voices.

Three-Four Months

Recognizes caregivers faces. May show fear of strangers Grasps objects that touch hand. Tries to swipe at object interested in own hand and feet. Practices making sounds. Responds when caregiver talks. Smiles and laughs

Five-Six Months Is alert for periods up to two hours. Reaches and grabs of objects. Studies objects carefully. Look for objects that are dropped. Play a peek-a-boo. Recognizes own name. Distinguishes between friendly and angry voices. Indicates pleasure and displeasures with sound.

Seven-Eight Months Imitates the action of others. Understands cause and effects. Remember things that have happened. Smile at self in mirror. Solve simple problems. Recognize some words. Babbling imitates inflections of speech.

Nine-Ten Months Reaches for hidden objects. Handles medium size objects skill fully. Taken objects out of containers and puts there in. Plays pat-a-cake. Responds to some words. May say a few words. Obeys simple commands.

Eleven-Twelve Months Handles objects skill fully.

Likes to look at pictures books. Puts blocks on boxes inside one another. Knows part of babies. Can pick up small objects. Recognizes many words. Speaks some words regularly.