The exceptions to this are a need for vitamin K in the immediate newborn period and vitamin D in
breastfed infants with dark skin or inadequate sunlight exposure.
And while those numbers are promising, it's important to note that racial and economic disparities still exist
among breastfed infants.
Studies have shown that
breastfed infants do better on intelligence and behaviour tests into adulthood than formula - fed babies.
In this episode, we're separating fact from fiction by revealing the most common myths and misconceptions
when breastfeeding infants.
After four to six months formula fed infants are heavier and weigh more than
breastfed infants by up to 1 kg.
Although in the past, new moms who did
n't breastfeed their infants were routinely prescribed medication to prevent lactation, the drugs were found to be unsafe and are no longer used.
Although the incidence of cow's milk protein allergy is very low in
breastfed infants compared to formula - fed infants, it does happen.
Believe it or not, the importance of
breastfeeding infants also comes from the fact that breastfed babies usually don't develop allergies.
For this reason a night waking
breastfed infant tends to require less overall parental input at night than a child who is formula fed.
Chances are, an
older breastfed infant won't consume 8 - 9 ounces during a feed like their formula - fed counterparts.
To reduce infant mortality and ill health, WHO recommends that mothers begin
breastfeeding their infants within one hour of birth — referred to as «early initiation of breastfeeding».
All infants in the hospital are considered
breastfeeding infants unless the mother, after being offered help to breastfeed and after giving birth, specifically states she has no plans to breastfeed.
After generations of bottle - feeding, many families have lost the ability to pass along the wisdom and knowledge of how a normal,
breastfed infant behaves.
It has been estimated to occur in about 0.5 - 1.0 % of exclusively breastfed infants [2].
We
realize breastfed infants need to feed on demand at least 8 - 12 times in a twenty - four hour period to ensure they gain weight and thrive.
For example,
breastfed infants who are not yet receiving solid food often have frequent, loose stools that are considered normal.