The Archives of General Psychiatry just published results from the largest randomized trial ever conducted in the area of human lactation. The aim of the study compared IQ scores and academic ratings in reading, writing, mathematics and other subjects in children who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and to 12 months of age. Their results showed that those children who met the breastfeeding criteria had higher IQ’s than those children who did not.

The study encompassed over 17,000 children followed over a 9 year time span. Compared to control groups the breastfeeding group had higher means on all measurements of IQ and teacher ratings. The verbal IQ was 7.5 points higher, the performance IQ was 2.9 points higher and the full scale IQ was 6 points higher. The authors state that “these results provide strong evidence that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding improves children’s cognition development.”

In our office I encounter the question all the time of when to introduce solid foods. Every time I answer 6 months, someone tells me their “other” doctor told them that they could start at 4 months. In my previous newsletters I’ve sent out studies showing that if we introduce solid foods before the age of 6 months the incidence of food allergies rise. It is at six months, and not before, that the nutritional demands of a newborn child change so that solid foods needs to be introduced. It is also the time that the intestines have properly formed the barrier lining and all the required digestive enzymes are present. This study just adds to my pile that again backs up the notion that when possible please exclusively breast feed your child until 6 months of age. This study did look at exclusive breastfeeding for shorter periods but found no positive correlation. Again, exclusively breastfeed when possible (there are always exceptions, so just try your best) until 6 months of age, and do not wean your child from breast milk until 12 months of age.

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Mothers have been breastfeeding their young since the beginning of time. Generally speaking, breastfeeding goes well. Sometimes though, breastfeeding mom run into issues. One of the most common problems is low breast milk supply.

With all the pressures that moms have on them in this day and age, it’s not surprising that they don’t have all day to devote to strictly breastfeeding. At the same time, this can hurt their milk supply. To make breast milk, you have to breastfeed or pump often.

Present day moms have all types of resources available to them including modern day medicines and breast pumps. In the past though, breastfeeding moms didn’t have these things. Yet they managed to breastfeed successfully. I’m sure that they had many of the same issues we did. Somehow though they were able to make enough breastmilk without using modern day medicine.

Fenugreek seeds is one of the most well-known products to use when experiencing low breast milk supply. And our ancestors knew just how well herbs such as these worked. Fenugreek seeds have been used traditionally to increase breast milk supply, and they are still recomended and used to this day because of how well it works. Even wet nurses in the past were known to use these herbs to increase milk supply due to having to breastfeed more than one baby.

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Breast milk is the only source of collecting nutrients, vitamins and proteins.
One of the most essential part of post natal care is breast feeding.
When given at a regular basis, babies will have proper nourishment.
Since breast milk does not contain fats, carbohydrates and other chemical components so they are easily digested by children.
The process of post natal care should be done with perfection.
Regular breast milk diet in a babies food routine has been found to enhance its natural growth. A small child becomes very happy when he gets natural milk from a mothers breast as he craves for it. The child takes the milk happily.It is light food and it is also the main source of getting pure natural ingredients and different types of vitamins plus proteins.

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Breast feeding plays a major role in increasing the mother child relationship besides helping in the natural and total development of the body. It looks in to the child’s proper physical and mental up gradation. This is why mothers are advised to give breast milk to their babies. Children are not able to eat solid food as the teeth are not developed during postnatal period. This is the reason why breast milk stands to be the best source of nutrition for him. Mother’s breast milk is the only best alternative of nourishing babies.

Preventive Measures

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