An estimated 78 million babies, or three in five, are not breastfed within the first hour of life, putting them at higher risk of death and disease. Most of these babies are born in low- and middle-income countries. Not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia, as well as elevated risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and sudden infant death. Poor feeding attitudes include negative experiences of breastfeeding attempts with older children and holding positive attitudes about breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed. Not breastfeeding has been shown to worsen cognitive development, leading to lower IQs and worse academic performance than breastfed babies. Among babies who were normal weight at birth, those who were fed formula (even complimentary) before 6 months were less likely to be walking at 12 months.
Not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity, as well as elevated risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and leukemia. Studies show that children who are not breastfed have an increased risk of Type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as leukemia. Breastfeeding also supports healthy brain development by providing frequent close interaction and attachment between mother and infant. Children who had been breastfed were more outgoing, socially secure, and more advanced on the developmental scales.
In conclusion, not being breastfed can have significant impacts on children’s cognitive, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. Supporting breastfeeding through meaningful investments and programs can help reduce the risk of these issues and improve the overall health of infants.
📹 Is formula feeding OK? 2 doctors weigh in on breastfeeding vs formula
Is formula feeding OK? • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. • There is no …
Does your body change after you stop breastfeeding?
After stopping breastfeeding, your breasts may appear empty and fuller, but the fatty part of the breasts will return over time, taking 6 months to a few years. The changes from pregnancy to milk intake and breastfeeding are significant, causing significant movement and changes in breast size. As a result, your breasts take time to return to their pre-pregnancy size. It’s important to give your breasts a break and be amazed by the transformation they’ve undergone. Remember, your breasts take time to return to their original size and shape.
Does breastfeeding affect brain development?
New research from CU Boulder suggests that breast milk, even partially alongside formula, can positively influence an infant’s gut metabolome, potentially boosting brain development and test scores. The study, published in the journal npj Metabolic Health and Disease, also identifies specific metabolites that manufacturers should consider adding to infant formula to optimize healthy brain development and compounds they should avoid. This research is particularly beneficial for those struggling with exclusively breastfeeding.
How does breastfeeding affect cognitive development?
A longitudinal study of 468 Polish infants found that infants breastfed for over three months had significantly higher IQs. The study, part of the Mothers’ and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) project in Korea, involved 697 infants aged 12, 24, and 36 months. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (K-BSID-II) was used to measure the use and duration of breastfeeding and formula feeding. The relationship between breastfeeding and the mental development index (MDI) score was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.
The results showed a positive correlation between breastfeeding duration and MDI score. After adjusting for covariates, infants who were breastfed for ≥ 9 months had significantly better cognitive development than those who had not been breastfed. This suggests that the longer duration of breastfeeding improves cognitive development in infants.
Are there any side effects when you stop breastfeeding?
Digital influencer Angela Lanter experienced strange symptoms after stopping breastfeeding her daughter MacKenlee two months after the pregnancy. She initially experienced insomnia, night sweats, depression, and anxiety. After testing her hormones, Lanter found that her progesterone and estrogen levels were low. However, after weeks without a full night of sleep, she took an over-the-counter sleep aid and woke up with her first panic attack.
The next day, she visited her primary care physician, who recognized her symptoms, including nervous feelings and weight loss, as delayed post-weaning depression. Lanter’s symptoms were connected to her own wife’s experience of depression.
Does prolonged breastfeeding impaired child growth?
The study found no adverse growth effects from prolonged breastfeeding, but the effect of inadequate supplementation on child growth is stronger for children breastfed for shorter duration. The omitted variable problem was addressed, and all rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. Open access content is licensed under Creative Commons terms.
How does stopping breastfeeding affect a baby?
Breastfeeding is a crucial factor in predicting health outcomes, with infants and mothers at higher risk of various health issues. Major medical organizations recommend 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, with continued breastfeeding through the infant’s first year and beyond. However, breastfeeding rates in the United States fall short of these recommendations, with only 16 of mother-infant dyads achieving the recommended 6 months. Social constraints, such as paid maternity leave and workplace accommodations, also impact breastfeeding duration.
Obesity and depression have been linked to differences in lactation physiology, leading to reduced breastfeeding duration. Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with differences in prolactin levels, onset of lactogensis, and the human milk fat layer transcriptome. In animal models, obesity is associated with poor milk production. Depression and anxiety symptoms may lead to lower oxytocin levels during feeding, and other neuroendocrine mechanisms may link maternal mood disorders with breastfeeding difficulties. Disruption of oxytocin physiology can result in dysregulated stress responses and poor feeding, thus potentially leading to early, undesired weaning.
Why is breastfeeding so important in child development?
Breastfeeding is linked to improved cognitive development at age 5, particularly in preterm children. On average, children breastfed for a few months are 1-6 months ahead of non-breasted children. They are also more likely to have good school performance at age 5 compared to non-breasted children. Breastfed children are less likely to have behavioral problems at age 5 compared to non-breasted children. These findings suggest that breastfeeding has a long-term effect on child development, behavior, and education. The study suggests that breastfeeding is a beneficial practice for children.
Does breastfeeding delay development?
A study conducted in Korea found that children breastfed for over 18 months had a higher odds ratio for delayed development compared to those breastfed for 3-6 months. The study involved 1752 children born between 2008 and 2009 and assessed their cognitive development using various tests. The Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Korean version of Denver II were used to assess early development from 5.
5 to 26. 2 months of age. Language development at 3 years was assessed using Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Tests, and cognitive function at 8 years was assessed using a multifactorial intelligence test.
The results showed that children breastfed for 1 and ≤ 3 months had significantly higher odds ratios for delayed development than those breastfed for 3 and ≤ 6 months. However, no significant differences were found in other rounds of assessments. The study suggests that breastfeeding can potentially improve cognitive development in children.
At what age is breastfeeding no longer beneficial to child?
Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by gradually introducing appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond. Babies show readiness for solids when they show interest in others’ eating. It’s up to the parent and baby to decide when to stop breastfeeding. Breastfeeding for 6 months, then gradually introduce appropriate foods in the second 6 months while continuing breastfeeding. Even short breastfeeding is beneficial.
Does breast milk help brain development?
New research from CU Boulder suggests that breast milk, even partially alongside formula, can positively influence an infant’s gut metabolome, potentially boosting brain development and test scores. The study, published in the journal npj Metabolic Health and Disease, also identifies specific metabolites that manufacturers should consider adding to infant formula to optimize healthy brain development and compounds they should avoid. This research is particularly beneficial for those struggling with exclusively breastfeeding.
How does not being breastfed affect a child?
Breastfeeding is crucial for infant health, as it reduces the risk of infectious diseases, obesity, diabetes, leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In developed countries, health outcomes differ significantly for mothers and infants who formula feed compared to those who breastfeed. Infants face increased infectious morbidity, while mothers face increased risks of premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, retained gestational weight gain, type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, and metabolic syndrome. Obstetricians play a vital role in counseling mothers about the health impact of breastfeeding and ensuring appropriate, evidence-based care for both mothers and infants, starting at birth.
📹 5 Tips for CLUSTER FEEDING | What to Know When BREASTFEEDING A NEWBORN
It’s witching hour, with baby screaming and wanting to eat every hour and nothing seems to be working… DON’T PANIC!
This needs to be more talked about because my mother in law thought the baby wasn’t getting enough milk. She made me give him one bottle of formula 😭😭😭 I was so sad for several days because I only want to nurse. I don’t know if it’s the Latina culture that wants me to give him formula so I can get up and clean but I felt like she made it seem as though it was bad for my baby to want my breast. Thank you for talking about this. I don’t understand why it’s seen as a negative thing when the baby is attached to the breast or to momma.
Wow I needed this article. I gave birth 3 days ago and have been so worried and confused as to why my baby has been wanting the boob nonstop especially at night (every half hour) when everything seems normal. Immediately started crying hearing you explain it and having it sound like exactly what I’m going through. It just gave me the push I needed to keep going
My little dude has been cluster feeding for the past 4 hours 😂 needed this article! Your induction series helped me through labour without pain meds at the end of November and I’m seriously so grateful that you have breastfeeding articles, too! It’s so easy to assume we’re not making enough milk through cluster feeds. Thank you for all you do!
I needed to see this, my little man is one week old and he started doing this a few days ago. I felt like I was losing it, I started crying because of all the things you just explained. I was so and is still doubting myself, I even went as far a getting a formula just in case he needs it. Pumping is like my main goal right now so I can feel at ease knowing he is full and even so I worry about milk production. Thanks for talking about this because there is mom like myself out here having crazy emotional breakdown over this.
I’m a first time mom and was so worried when my baby started cluster feeding. There isn’t much education on this and it confused and worried me at first until I did some research on it realizing my baby is just having a growth spurt! Its exhausting and lots of tears have been shed, but I just always smile and look at my beautiful daughter and say, “Mommy is okay babygirl, I’m just tired and doing my best to take care of you. I love you so much sweet girl.” She smiles everytime and then everything is okay. Your article was also very helpful! And it’s reassuring reading all the comments knowing I’m not alone!
Currently at week 7 and still getting some mornings or evenings of cluster feeds. I really needed this, as the lactation consultant I went to told me that if he’s cluster feeding then it means he’s not getting enough… which has just made me more stressed out (as I’m already doing this whole breastfeeding, followed by bottle, followed by pumping routine). Just hearing that this is a normal thing — and it helps milk supply — is immensely helpful.
My firstborn is 2weeks old and this cluster feeding thing is legit! I had such a hard time my first week that I wanted to give up, but a cheap little manual breast pump saved me! Now he is doing so much better…except for these cluster feedings and irregular sleep times. This was super helpful as you confirmed what another momma told me—they are often going through a growth spurt or just need Momma during this crucial stage of their growth! Thanks so much for affirming and encouraging us as mothers. God bless!
I needed to come read these comments to help myself know I’m not alone. My baby just turned a month yesterday but my hubby is getting sent to Germany in two days and we just moved houses. I was feeling stressed out that the cluster feeding started as I was already feeling scared that I wouldn’t be able to keep myself strong thru this time while trying to keep breastfeeding. Physically and mentally these days have been so tiring but I’m happy to read that baby will come along and this will pass. Wishing all mommas the best of luck with their babies, sending you all love, strength and patience. 💗
How do you differentiate between cluster feeding and comfort feeding? My 4do little seems to be doing both – wanting to be at the boob every half hour but then not being willing to be put down after and fusses until I pick her up again. 3 days with less than 3 hours of sleep – need more than affirmations, what else can be done other than ignoring the baby cries???
Good evening. I have watched your website and it is awesome. It helped me a lot in feeling confident about being a new mom. I have two questions: – how much time is the limit for a newborn to be in a carrier? That is the only time he sleeps during the day because he sleeps like 5 min after every nursing. – we’re in a vicious cycle: I feed him, burp him, let him digest, put him in his bed, he sleeps for 5 min and awakens…. Then the cycle repeats, with occasional diaper change. We tried prolonging/shortening the feeding/changing the bed/putting him in a dark room after a bath and last day feeding, nothing works. We’re beyond exhausted and so is he, he gets fussy, fidgety when nursing, crying all the time, tourna his head only to the left, has digestive issues and looks like he’s constipated while trying to soil the diapers. He managed abundantly to eat and use the diaper but my husband and I are beyond exhausted and the little one is only with us for a month. Help us, please.🙏🙏🙏
Exactly what I was going through this time. I feel like my baby is not getting full with my milk day and night. And I am also getting stiff neck due to breastfeeding for hours. 😭 But I am also happy that my baby is getting plenty of milk from me and I can also see how he grows and gain weight as well as a result of cluster feeding. Thank you so much for always giving us a lot of information!. 😍😘
Bridget you are the best and thank you for everything you do. I’ve been following you since my third trimester and was perusal your articles over and over again during my labor and delivery. Now my baby is here and yesterday I was struggling with cluster feeding and losing my hopes. But like always you came to the rescue with this perfect topic. Cannot thank you enough😃
Hi Bridget, I just wanted to say thank you so much. I used your de stressor breath during labour and it helped me so much. I got the epidural but leading up to that was rough and your breathing technique, TENS machine along with gas n air was so good. I’m still using it during this cluster feeding stressful stage. Thanks again ❤❤❤
I wish I saw this article months ago 😭 My son began cluster feeding as soon as he was born and it was so painful. The mothers in my family made me think he wasn’t getting enough milk so I began supplementing. My supply went down as time went on and I stopped breastfeeding at 3 months. I felt terrible about it and still wished I had went longer with breastfeeding consistently. I guess I’ll just try again for next baby. ☹️
I really wish someone would’ve told me to expect cluster feeding days 3, 4, & 5. I probably would’ve turned down the recommendation to give him formula and just pushed through. I might not have wound up engorged with clogged ducts and in unbearable pain (which led me to need to get a hospital grade pump to fix the problem) because of the decision to give formula on Day 3. Sigh, hindsight is 10/10.
Hi mam thanks for your valuable articles I am following all your articles, it helped me a lot I have two kids with 1st kid I got c section and for 2 nd I got vaginal delivery and it’s because of following all ur articles I am really thankful to you please keep doing articles if possible can you make child development articles and how to interact with them, I am so happy because of you I have a very good birth experience in my life.Thank you so much for everything
Hi Bridget!!! How u doing? Though I have heard so much about baby’s tummy size being small and colostrum being enough to fill them in the 1st week of birth However I have had friends and family mommies tell me that their babies cried a lot in the hospital..is that a sign of cluster feeding? On the contrary Some babies sleep a lot…they suckle for 5mins and then sleep…sometimes impossible to wake them up. What to do in this case?? Thank you
My baby was cluster feeding the first couple of days and at night but now almost a week old and she’s sleeping more like three hours maybe more if I let her but since my breast are full I need her to empty it out and now one of my breast’s is hurting a bit because of not being emptied out on time.. any tips?
This can happen with bottle fed babies either breadt milk or formula. Its happened to me this last 2week basically as you said using the bottle as a soother and on and off all time and small naps between then a big nap later. I breast feed and top up woth formula/pumped milk and it was getting to i felt empty exhausted and irritated to point I cried and cried. My first born never did this she was a good ester and sleeper … so this was new to me. But now I know its normal
My one month old is on day 12 of cluster feeding and he wants to eat most during the morning and evening! Is it normal for babies to cluster feed this long? Most of the articles I’ve read say cluster feeding usually only lasts 2 days… I’m exhausted and keep fantasizing about just giving him formula 😪
I was under the impression that they only cluster feed when milk comes in for just a few days. My babe is almost 2 weeks and seems like she has been clustering for a week now. It was just the other day where she wouldn’t go to sleep for more than an hour or so and wake up to feed and switch sides for hours without a break. Then sleep again for maybe a few hours and repeat. I know she’s getting milk bc I’m leaking am the time and her latch is pretty decent for her age and I hear her swallowing. But yeah, I was getting to the point where I’m shocked how much she’s wanting the breast and tired as heck. And she’ll only fall asleep peacefully if she is right there next to it lol Good luck moms!
I have a premature baby that is now almost 6 weeks old and still in the NICU. I didn’t get to see him for the first five days of his life because he was in isolation. I feel like I’ve missed so much of the newborn phase, and this is our first child. Do you think when we bring him home he might still cluster feed even though he’s older?
Excusively breastfed up until 3months… started supplementing with formula at night😭😭😭 cause baby was sooooo fussy at night wanting to feed, latching on and off while fussing and it was stressing everyone one else cause everyone thinks my breasts arent making enough and that im starving my baby😭😭😭 now i feel like it has affected my supply for sure cause baby isnt stimulating my milk production😭😭😭