Breast milk represents the natural food for infants, and is universally recognized as the optimal feeding choice for every infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterolgy, Hepathology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recognize that feeding at the breast is the advisable way of supporting the natural growth and development of all infants. The health benefits of breastfeeding are particularly relevant under conditions of poor hygiene and low socio-economic status: in these instances receiving own mother’s milk can be a matter of life or death. In developed Countries there is no precise evidence that breastfeeding has a substantial impact on infant mortality, even if it has a certain role in the reduction of gastrointestinal infections and acute otitis media. The promotion and support of breastfeeding must be regarded as one of the fundamental role of the paediatrician. Unfortunately, the commitment of many people involved in the field of child care has not been sufficient in expanding the initiation and, above all, the duration of breastfeeding, which remains still unsatisfactory in many Countries. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is still not a common practice in both developed and developing Countries. Paediatricians, who play a key role on child health, must promote and encourage breastfeeding, taking in due account also mothers’ wishes. Recommendations for the duration of exclusive breastfeeding are still debated. According to the WHO, human milk should represent the exclusive nutrient for full tem infants during the first 6 months of life. This recommendation is not generally fulfilled, because complementary foods are often introduced before the 6th month. However, breastfeeding should be continued through the first year of life and thereafter, as long as possible and wished.

Feeding the Term Infant: Human Milk and Formulas

FANARO, Silvia;VIGI, Vittorio
2012

Abstract

Breast milk represents the natural food for infants, and is universally recognized as the optimal feeding choice for every infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterolgy, Hepathology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recognize that feeding at the breast is the advisable way of supporting the natural growth and development of all infants. The health benefits of breastfeeding are particularly relevant under conditions of poor hygiene and low socio-economic status: in these instances receiving own mother’s milk can be a matter of life or death. In developed Countries there is no precise evidence that breastfeeding has a substantial impact on infant mortality, even if it has a certain role in the reduction of gastrointestinal infections and acute otitis media. The promotion and support of breastfeeding must be regarded as one of the fundamental role of the paediatrician. Unfortunately, the commitment of many people involved in the field of child care has not been sufficient in expanding the initiation and, above all, the duration of breastfeeding, which remains still unsatisfactory in many Countries. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is still not a common practice in both developed and developing Countries. Paediatricians, who play a key role on child health, must promote and encourage breastfeeding, taking in due account also mothers’ wishes. Recommendations for the duration of exclusive breastfeeding are still debated. According to the WHO, human milk should represent the exclusive nutrient for full tem infants during the first 6 months of life. This recommendation is not generally fulfilled, because complementary foods are often introduced before the 6th month. However, breastfeeding should be continued through the first year of life and thereafter, as long as possible and wished.
2012
9788847014046
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/1601866
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