Where There Is No Doctor 2011 271
Feeding
(Also see “The Best Diet for Small Children,” p. 120.)
Breast milk is by far the best food for a baby. Babies who nurse on breast milk
are healthier, grow stronger, and are less likely to die. This is why:
• Breast milk has a better balance of what the baby needs than does any other
milk, whether fresh, canned, or powdered.
• Breast milk is clean. When other foods are given, especially by bottle feeding,
it is very hard to keep things clean enough to prevent the baby from getting
diarrhea and other sicknesses.
• The temperature of breast milk is always right.
• Breast milk has things in it (antibodies) that help protect the baby against
certain illnesses, such as diarrhea, measles, and polio.
The mother should give her breast to the baby as soon as he is born. For the
first few days the mother’s breasts usually produce very little milk. This is normal.
She should continue to nurse her baby often—at least every two hours. The baby’s
sucking will help her produce more milk. If the baby seems healthy, gains weight,
and wets her diaper (nappy) regularly, the mother is producing enough milk.
It is best for the baby if the mother gives him only breast milk for the first
6 months. After that, she should continue to breastfeed her baby, but should begin
to give him other nourishing foods also (see p. 122). Mothers with HIV should
stop breastfeeding when the baby is 12 months old if they can give enough other
nutritious foods.
HOW A MOTHER CAN PRODUCE MORE BREAST MILK:
She should...
♦ drink plenty of liquids,
♦ eat as well as possible, especially food with a lot of calcium (like milk
products) and body building foods (see p. 110),
♦ get plenty of sleep and avoid getting very tired or upset,
♦ nurse her baby more often—at least every 2 hours.
BOTTLE-FED BABIES ARE MORE LIKELY
TO GET SICK AND DIE.
BREAST-FED BABIES ARE HEALTHIER.