Posts Tagged ‘Infant’

Advantages of breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best food that a mother can give your child newborn . Not only for its composition, but also the bonding that occurs between a mother and baby during the act of breastfeeding. Because it contains everything the child needs during the first months of life, breast milk protects the baby against many illnesses such as colds , pneumonia , diarrhea , ear infections , urinary infections , and even prevent future as other diseases asthma , allergies , obesity , etc.

However, breast milk is not only good for the small, but for the mother. Women who breastfeed lose weight gained during pregnancy more quickly, and hardly suffer from anemia , hypertension and postpartum depression .

Advantages of breastfeeding
One of the advantages of breastfeeding is that breastfeeding helps the mother lose weight faster, because a lot of energy from fat that has been acquired during pregnancy.

Adding even more benefits, one can say that the milk is organic food. Not manufactured, not packaged or transported, thus avoiding energy waste and environmental pollution. For the family is a big savings. Breast milk is not an expense and above all, is the best way to feed your baby.

For all these reasons and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of the child’s life and continued breastfeeding with adequate complementary foods up to 2 years of age or older.

How much has weighed the baby?

The weight and height of infants says much about their physical development. Since its birth, the baby is weighed and measured and, especially, in the first year of life, weight and measures of growth should be monitored by the pediatrician.

Weight and infant size at birth
Heredity and the time of pregnancy the baby chooses to be born determined, in principle, their weight and height. Thus, the size of the parent influences the child’s weight and height not only at birth, but also in its further development. Regarding the timing of delivery, there is a distinction between those born at term and those who are ahead of 38 weeks of gestation. In other cases, maternal disease that has not allowed to receive enough food during pregnancy or gestational diabetes can also determine the weight and size of baby at birth.

How much has weighed the baby?
It is the most frequent question they answer parents after the birth of your child along with the name chosen for him. Below 2,500 grams, is considered low birth weight in babies born at term, while above 4,000 grams, the weight is assessed as high. The average value is situated between the two measures and around 3,000 grams.

How much should your baby grow and gain weight?
The measurement of weight and height are routine checks to be carried out each visit your doctor. It is important not to obsess about these measures because the peaks of weight gain and growth are not always the same and, during the first year, change each quarter.

Thus, during the first three months, the weight gain between 750 – 900 grams per month. Between the third and sixth month, decreasing and increasing turn around 500 – 600 grams per month. Between the sixth and ninth month, weight gain is less, between 350 – 400 grams per month. And, finally, between the ninth month and year of age, the monthly average is between 250 to 300 grams.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding
The sooner the better. It is important that the child is offered the breast within half an hour after birth . After the first shot, the baby tends to fall asleep a few hours. It is also important not to limit the time of the shots, only the child knows when he is satisfied. During this time, it is recommended that the baby stay with his mother to stimulate the skin to skin contact between them. Thus, the breast can be offered as soon as you notice that the child is willing to suck, and not just for crying. Crying is a late sign of hunger.

Do not forget that a healthy baby does not need more liquid than you get from the milk of his mother, and therefore neither necessary nor advisable to provide water or serum glucose solutions. Before giving “extras” or any food other than breast milk should consult your pediatrician.

Weight and height chart for children

Weight and height chart for children
The tables on the ideal weight and measurements are approximate, an aspect that should be taken into account when weighing and measuring your child. This guidance does not replace the advice of your pediatrician. Still respecting and considering the monthly revisions prescribed by the doctor. He shall give the final say how much the physical condition of your child.

The WHO table
Until April 2006, the growth charts were based on a small child population, the same geographical origin and without distinguishing between breast-fed babies and those fed on formula. Fifteen years ago, the World Health Organization, WHO is aware of this situation and that such tables could be interfering in the health care of infants, he decided to start a much larger study. The target population includes children of various ethnicities and backgrounds, and novelty is that all have been breastfed, which is considered the gold standard in terms of food.