Childhood and the first year of the life of the child is considered a unique period for the development and growth. The mother plays an important role during this period.

Breast Feeding for the health of the mother and the child

One of the decisions that should be taken by the parents regarding their children is how to feed their children. Although taking this decision is personal, however, before taking the decision we should know some facts that will help in taking the right decision.

No doubt that breast-feeding is the best start for the infant and a protection for him and his mother. Despite the technological developments, the ideal composition of the mother’s milk could not be matched.

• The composition of the mother’s milk

Colostrum
The colostrum is characterized by having a unique composition, as it satisfies the nutritional requirements of the child in the first days of his life, and protects him against the infections.

The mother’s milk contains colostrum (which is the milk, which is secreted during the last days of pregnancy and continues for 2 – 4 days after the delivery). Although the amount of this milk is small, but it is enough for the requirements of the child during the first days after his birth.

The colostrum contains compounds that provides immunity against bacteria. So, it protects the child from the bacterial infections such as haemophilis influenza, Pneumonia, Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria. It also contains antiviral compounds, which protects the child from the viral infections such as the respiratory system infection and polio and other diseases.

The nutritional elements
The mother’s milk is the complete diet for the infant, as it contains all nutrients that are needed for the child’s development

The mother’s milk contains more than 100 types of the nutritional elements which satisfy the needs of the child and in amounts that suit his age and the different developmental phases. The most important elements are as follows:

Iron: although the mother’s milk has less amounts of iron, but it is readily absorbed, in contrary to the iron in the feeding formulae, which is difficult to absorb and causes a lot of digestive problems and stomach upsetting.

Proteins: the mother’s milk contains the ideal protein composition that plays an important role in the development and growth of the brain. These proteins are easily digested and absorbed, on contrary to the proteins that are found in the feeding formulae, which the studies have shown that they have direct relationship with the allergies of the respiratory system and the skin and the diabetes.

Fats: the fats are available in a balanced fashion in the mother’s milk, and they consist of a series of fatty acids that include the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. They play an important role in the development of the brain of the infant, and provide the required energy for his growth. If we understand that 80% of the child’s brain grows during the first two years, we will appreciate the Sacred Holy instruction by Allah to breast feed the child for two years.

Sugars: the mother’s milk contains an ideal composition of lactose and in amounts which are proportional to the building of the basic fats for the development of the child’s brain and essential for the digestive principles. The cow’s milk lacks the suitable amounts of these sugars.

Vitamins: the mother’s milk contains suitable amounts of vitamin D which is essential for absorbing calcium and phosphates which protect the child from many diseases such as osteomalacia.

Water: the mother’s milk contains suitable amounts of water which is enough for the needs of the infant and save him from drinking water even in the hot weather.

Immunity compounds:
No doubt that the children who are breast-fed are healthier, as the mother’s milk contains immunity compounds which positive effects appear on the short and long-term periods

The mother’s milk contains a number of immunity compounds that are important in protecting the child against the diseases and which help in the development of the immune system of the child. Also, it contains many factors which help in encouraging the beneficial bacteria, which protects the child against E. coli. The immunity increases with introducing complementary foods. When depending on the feeding formulae, the immunity effect of the mother’s milk decreases.

The variation of the basic composition of the mother’s milk even in the same feeding, from one feeding to the other, and from one day to the other, to suits the needs of the development of the infant

The colostrum is the milk that is secreted during the first days after the delivery, followed by the transitional milk which is secreted in the firth day of delivery till the second week. After that the mature milk is secreted.

The composition of the mother’s milk during lactation differs, as the foremilk will be rich in proteins, lactose, vitamins, minerals, and water which is needed to quench the thirst of the infant and to activate the secretions of the stomach. The following milk, which is secreted in the last third of the lactation, contains more concentration of the nutrients and fats to make the child feels full.

Mother’s milk is the best in its purity, its temperature, balanced flow, and its continued availability

The advantages of the breast-feeding for the child

• The breast-feeding satisfies the needs of the child during the first 4 –6 months of his life.
• Breast-feeding protects the child from the contagious diseases and allergies.
• Breast-feeding helps in completing the social, emotional, and psychological development of the child.
• The mother’s milk contains many growth factors which help in the development of the organs and tissues of the child.
• Breast-feeding strengthens the bond between the child and the mother.

The advantages of breast-feeding for the mother

• Protects the mother against breast cancer.
• The mother will have a hormonal balance that saves the woman against early disturbances of early menopause.
• Breast-feeding consumes about 800 calorie daily. This helps in regaining the elegance of the woman.
• Breast-feeding regulates births, as the ovulation starts after 115 days for the breast feeders and 50 days for the non-breast feeders. This could help the mother to regulate the pregnancies when she breast-feeds the child without any feeding formulae.
• Breast-feeding helps the uterus to return to its normal condition.

So breast-feeding is the way to satisfy the right of the child to obtain the suitable and adequate food and attain the best health standards and it helps the woman to obtain her rights of being healthy through reducing the risks of breast and uterus cancer

Are you ready for breast-feeding?
To start breast-feeding, you should be prepared since the pregnancy through the following:

• Medical examination during the pregnancy.
• Proper nutrition during the pregnancy and lactation periods, through increasing the vegetables, fruits, and meats and reducing the sugars, fats, starch.
• Examine the nipples during the pregnancy and treat the abnormal nipples so that they may not hinder the breast-feeding.
• Sports’ exercising during the pregnancy helps in having normal delivery and prevents the complications during the delivery. This facilitates the breast-feeding later.
• You should make spouse share your feelings & thoughts during the pregnancy, delivery and breast-feeding.

How to continue in breast-feeding:

• Directly after the delivery, start breast-feeding during one hour.
• The colostrum is the small amount of milk during the first days after the delivery, and this all the child needs during this period.
• Breast-feed your child every two hours in the beginning and as required when the milk flow becomes regular.
• Be beside your child 24-hours daily.
• Make sure not to give your child any food or drink except the mother’s milk.
• The bodily and eye contact between you and your child helps in secretion of the milk.
• Choose the comfortable position to breast-feed your child and make sure that your child is in the proper position during breast-feeding.
• You should depend on breast-feeding only and not to introduce any feeding formulae or other fluids during the first few months.
• Repeated breast-feeding as required helps in secretion the milk.
• Breast-feeding at night helps in secretion of the milk.
• Avoid giving your child any soothers or toys as they distract your child from breast-feeding.
• Remember that more intake of fluids and the healthy & balanced diet, adequate rest, sports, suitable clothing during breast-feeding helps in the continued supply of the milk.
• Your trust in your ability to breast-feed your child guarantees natural and successful breast-feeding.
• The support by your spouse and his understanding will have a big role in helping you to start and continue breast-feeding.

The advantages of breast-feeding for the mother

Protects the mother against breast cancer.

• The mother will have a hormonal balance that saves the woman against early disturbances of early menopause.
• Breast-feeding consumes about 800 calorie daily. This helps in regaining the elegance of the woman.
• Breast-feeding regulates births, as the ovulation starts after 115 days for the breast feeders and 50 days for the non-breast feeders. This could help the mother to regulate the pregnancies when she breast-feeds the child without any feeding formulae.
• Breast-feeding helps the uterus to return to its normal condition.

So breast-feeding is the way to satisfy the right of the child to obtain the suitable and adequate food and attain the best health standards and it helps the woman to obtain her rights of being healthy through reducing the risks of breast and uterus cancer

Are you ready for breast-feeding?
To start breast-feeding, you should be prepared since the pregnancy through the following:

• Medical examination during the pregnancy.
• Proper nutrition during the pregnancy and lactation periods, through increasing the vegetables, fruits, and meats and reducing the sugars, fats, starch.
• Examine the nipples during the pregnancy and treat the abnormal nipples so that they may not hinder the breast-feeding.
• Sports’ exercising during the pregnancy helps in having normal delivery and prevents the complications during the delivery. This facilitates the breast-feeding later.
• You should make spouse share your feelings & thoughts during the pregnancy, delivery and breast-feeding.

How to continue in breast-feeding:

• Directly after the delivery, start breast-feeding during one hour.
• The colostrum is the small amount of milk during the first days after the delivery, and this all the child needs during this period.
• Breast-feed your child every two hours in the beginning and as required when the milk flow becomes regular.
• Be beside your child 24-hours daily.
• Make sure not to give your child any food or drink except the mother’s milk.
• The bodily and eye contact between you and your child helps in secretion of the milk.
• Choose the comfortable position to breast-feed your child and make sure that your child is in the proper position during breast-feeding.
• You should depend on breast-feeding only and not to introduce any feeding formulae or other fluids during the first few months.
• Repeated breast-feeding as required helps in secretion the milk.
• Breast-feeding at night helps in secretion of the milk.
• Avoid giving your child any soothers or toys as they distract your child from breast-feeding.
• Remember that more intake of fluids and the healthy & balanced diet, adequate rest, sports, suitable clothing during breast-feeding helps in the continued supply of the milk.
• Your trust in your ability to breast-feed your child guarantees natural and successful breast-feeding.
• The support by your spouse and his understanding will have a big role in helping you to start and continue breast-feeding.

The proper breast-feeding positions
The proper breast-feeding position for the child on his mother’s chest is an important factor in the success of the breast-feeding.

• Start breast-feeding: the mother has to be in a comfortable position and she may use a cushion.
• The position of the child on the breast: the child should be positioned facing the breast.

When the breast touches the cheek of the infant, it rounds and the infant opens his mouth. You should ensure that the nipple and the dark circle inside the mouth of the infant.

After the child feeds, put the tip of your clean finger at the angle of the child’s mouth gently, burp your child after each feeding or when you shift between the breasts. This is done by lifting him in a standing position and leaning him on your shoulder.

• Feed the child from both breasts alternatively.
• Avoid cleaning the nipple with soap as it causes dryness and cracking of the nipples. Let the last drop of milk dry on the nipple, as this will prevent its cracking.

There are a number of positions for the mother while breast-feeding. The mother should choose the suitable position, which comforts her.

The hugging position

• Support your child at the breast level, if the child is small in size, you may support him by a cushion and lifting him. If the child in big in size, he could support himself.
• Put the head of the child on your hand in such a way that his head stabilizes in the hand and your arm supports the body of the child.

The reverse hugging position

• Support the head of the child with the left hand and support the back of the child with your arm.
• Hold the right breast with the right hand.
• You may use a cushion if necessary.

Holding the ball position

• Put the child on a cushion, the mouth of the child should be at the level of the breast.
• Put the child on the breast.
• You need the help of the other hand to hold the breast.

Lying down position

• If the size of the breast is big, you may put the head of the child near to the arm curve.
• You may put the child beside you in the lying-down position.
• Feed the child from the breast that touches the bed.

The working mother and the breast-feeding
If you are working, you could continue breast-feeding after you come from work. This could be done through the following:

• Give your child your “squeezed” breast milk during your absence.
• It is possible to keep the breast milk fresh for 24 hours, if it is put in a sterile and closed container in the refrigerator.
• You should give the “squeezed” milk by the spoon.
• While at work, make sure to squeeze your breasts to increase the output of the milk.
• Increase the feedings during your presence at home, and continue breast-feeding during the night.

To increase the output of the breast-milk

• Secrete the milk by squeezing by hand or by the pump.
• The mother has to rest and should use warm cloth on the breast and massage the breast before squeezing the milk.
• Press on the dark circle at different places and try to empty the contents completely from the milk.

Breast-feeding problems
What are the breast-feeding problems and how to avoid them?
Hurting nipple

• Continue breast-feeding normally.
• Ensure that the nipple and part of the black circle are inserted inside the mouth of your child while feeding.

Congestion of the breast

• Use warm cloths.
• Increase the feeding frequency to 10 – 12 daily.
• Squeeze the breast by hand or by the pump.
• Do not give your child any feeding formulae.

The cracking of the nipples

• Treat the cracking of the nipples, which is resulting from the molds while ensuring treating the child from the mouth molds.
• Continue normal breast-feeding as secretion of milk helps in treating the cracking of the nipples.
• Aerate the nipples: leave the last drop of milk to dry on the nipple as this will prevent its cracking.
• If the nipple is still hurting, use the artificial nipple.

The inverted or flat nipple
Get the nipple out and rub it with milk and use the artificial nipple.

Inflammation of the breast

• Temperature reducers, tranquilizers, and antibiotics that are prescribed by the physician do not affect your child.
• Continue breast-feeding.
• Squeezing the breast by pump.
• Warm cloths.

Phases of development & growth of the fetus

Being healthy and feeling active, give your baby better life. Pregnancy is an entertaining experience as your baby’s body change and grows daily.

The third month
Your stomach & breast increase in size. Your child swims in the amniotic fluid. In this month, the sexual parts of your baby are formed. The eye lids grow and the lips are formed and the muscles & joints grow and your baby starts moving. The liver grows as well as the intestine. The weight of the child becomes about 28 gm (1 ounce) and his height 8-cm (3inch). His head & limbs could be differentiated by the ultra-sound scanning.

The fourth months
The liver & kidneys of your child start functioning. His weight becomes about 114 gm (1/4 pound) and his height 15 cm (8 inch). The doctor could hear his heart beat by means of a special instrument. It is recommended to wear comfortable cloths starting from this phase.

The fifth month
Your stomach continues to grow and your baby starts kicking at the first of the month. The nails appear on the tips of the fingers and his teeth start to form. The weight of the baby becomes 227 GM (1/2 pound) & his height is 25 cm (10 inch).

The six month
Continuation of growth of the size of your stomach and the increase in the movement of your baby. In this month, the brain grows and the eyebrows appear & the ears enlarge and the neck rises. His weight becomes 680 GM (11/2 pound) & his height is 12 inches.

The seventh month
In this month, the senses of your baby start (He sees, feels light & tastes strong flavors) and he sucks his finger. His weight becomes 1.130 gm (2 pounds) his height 38-cm (15 inches). Your baby has a chance to live if an early birth occurs in this month.

The eighth month
The movement of your baby becomes very strong, and it could be observed from outside. His weight becomes 1.812 gm (4 pounds) & his height 42-cm (16.5 inches).

The ninth month
The soft hair covering the face of your baby disappears. His head starts to move towards the bottom before 4 weeks of the birth if this is the first pregnancy. If there were previous deliveries, interference will happen only at the delivery time. His weight becomes 2.7 kg (6-7 pounds) & his height 50-cm (29 inches).

Desired weight increase during pregnancy:
Your weight will increase during the pregnancy gradually:

• The first 3 months: 1-2 kg.
• The last six months: according to your weight before the pregnancy. If your weight is suitable for your height, the increase will be about 11 kg. If your weight before pregnancy is less than the normal weight, the increase will be 13 kg. If you are suffering from obesity before pregnancy, the increase should be between 6-10 kg.

The Health problems & the Symptoms associated with the pregnancy

Morning sickness
This is the feeling of nausea. This usually takes place during the first months of pregnancy, especially in the morning. You could get aid of this sickness by doing the following:

• Take small amounts of food frequently. This means that there should always be an amount of food in the stomach. The pregnant woman may take some crackers before ¼ hour from getting off the bed in the morning. During the day many small meals could be taken instead of 3 meals, and should be low in fat.
• Avoid the drinks, which contain caffeine such as tea, coffee & soft drinks.
• Take water between the meals & not during them.
• Reduce eating fried foods.

Heart burn
This takes place during the late months as a result of the increase of the size of the fetus which increases the pressure on the stomach. The problem is increased by unorganized meal timings and excessive use of fats. To avoid such symptoms, you should decrease drinking tea, coffee, soft drinks and fatty food & reduce the foods that produce gases such as onions, cabbage, and cauliflower and take frequent & small meals and practice some daily sport exercises.

Constipation
Usually the pregnant woman suffers from constipation during the last months of the pregnancy that results from the relaxation of the muscles of the stomach, especially during the last period of the pregnancy when the fetus grows & develops. The best way to get rid of this problem is to take increased amounts of water & take high fiber-foods such as fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, brown bread, and practicing light sport exercises.

Pregnancy diabetes
The pregnant woman should undergo regular testing to regulate the rate of sugar in urine. If there is sugar in the urine, low sugar & low starch diet regime should be used.

Anemia
This happens as a result of the volume of blood during pregnancy. Its symptoms are divided in two parts:

• Early signs
  - Feeling fatigued.
  - Quick fatigue.
  - Lightening of the head & feeling dizzy.
  - Paleness
  - Feeling unconscious.

• Advanced symptoms
  - Difficulty in breathing
  - Quick heart beats
  - Chest pain.

You can avoid having deficiency in iron during the pregnancy by taking iron–rich foods such as pulses, red meats, organ meats, spinach, dried fruits such as raisins & apricots. To increase the capability of iron absorption, you should follow that by taking a source vitamin C that is found in Citruses such as oranges, lemons, mandarin & Kiwi.

Preparatory lessons before the Delivery
What is the importance of the preparatory lessons before the delivery?
The preparatory lessons are important because they are related to your health and the health of your fetus. These lessons include the following:

Nutrition
Taking care about the nutrition during the pregnancy helps you pass the pregnancy period without any problems or complications. This depends greatly on the type of food you are taking.

Make sure to take various nutritious foods that are rich in proteins, calcium, iron & vitamins

There are recommendations to increase the nutritional elements for the pregnant woman, because you need additional amounts of these elements:

Proteins
Take protein-rich foods of animal & plant sources, because during the pregnancy you and your fetus need additional amounts, in order to develop the fetus body tissues. The most important sources of the proteins are the fat-free meats, fish, poultry, milk & dairy products such as cheeses. This is in addition to the eggs & pulses (lentils, broad beans, and chickpeas). These are also rich in fiber.

Calcium
Take the foods that contain calcium to maintain the health of your bones & teeth and to build the skeleton of the fetus. It is noteworthy to mention that the requirement increases for the 25 years woman who needs to consume large amounts of calcium. The most important sources are Milk & dairy products, eggs, sesame, and broccoli.

Iron
Take the foods that contain iron, as there is an increased need during this period. It is important to cover the increase in the volume of blood and to have an adequate reserve to supply the baby till he is 3-6 month old. The important sources are: leafy green vegetables, meats, especially the organ’s meat (kidneys, liver etc).

Daily nutritional requirements for the pregnant woman

• 2-3 cups of milk.
• 120 gm of meat, poultry, or fish at dinner & supper.
• 1 egg.
• 4slices of brown bread.
• 4 spoons of cooked rice.
• 2fruits.
• 3 spoons of oil.
• 6 spoons of sugar
• 1cup of juice.
• Cooked vegetables & salad.

·         Proper Nutrition during pregnancy helps you to breast feed your baby naturally after delivery and your slogan should be proper nutrition.

The Health problems & the Symptoms associated with the pregnancy

Morning sickness
This is the feeling of nausea. This usually takes place during the first months of pregnancy, especially in the morning. You could get aid of this sickness by doing the following:

·         Take small amounts of food frequently. This means that there should always be an amount of food in the stomach. The pregnant woman may take some crackers before ¼ hour from getting off the bed in the morning. During the day many small meals could be taken instead of 3 meals, and should be low in fat.

·         Avoid the drinks, which contain caffeine such as tea, coffee & soft drinks.

·         Take water between the meals & not during them.

·         Reduce eating fried foods.

Heart burn
This takes place during the late months as a result of the increase of the size of the fetus which increases the pressure on the stomach. The problem is increased by unorganized meal timings and excessive use of fats. To avoid such symptoms, you should decrease drinking tea, coffee, soft drinks and fatty food & reduce the foods that produce gases such as onions, cabbage, and cauliflower and take frequent & small meals and practice some daily sport exercises.

Constipation
Usually the pregnant woman suffers from constipation during the last months of the pregnancy that results from the relaxation of the muscles of the stomach, especially during the last period of the pregnancy when the fetus grows & develops. The best way to get rid of this problem is to take increased amounts of water & take high fiber-foods such as fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, brown bread, and practicing light sport exercises.

Pregnancy diabetes
The pregnant woman should undergo regular testing to regulate the rate of sugar in urine. If there is sugar in the urine, low sugar & low starch diet regime should be used.

Anemia
This happens as a result of the volume of blood during pregnancy. Its symptoms are divided in two parts:

·         Early signs
- Feeling fatigued.
- Quick fatigue.
- Lightening of the head & feeling dizzy.
- Paleness
- Feeling unconscious.

·         Advanced symptoms
- Difficulty in breathing
- Quick heart beats
- Chest pain.

You can avoid having deficiency in iron during the pregnancy by taking iron–rich foods such as pulses, red meats, organ meats, spinach, dried fruits such as raisins & apricots. To increase the capability of iron absorption, you should follow that by taking a source vitamin C that is found in Citruses such as oranges, lemons, mandarin & Kiwi.

Preparatory lessons before the Delivery
What is the importance of the preparatory lessons before the delivery?
The preparatory lessons are important because they are related to your health and the health of your fetus. These lessons include the following:

Nutrition
Taking care about the nutrition during the pregnancy helps you pass the pregnancy period without any problems or complications. This depends greatly on the type of food you are taking.

Make sure to take various nutritious foods that are rich in proteins, calcium, iron & vitamins

There are recommendations to increase the nutritional elements for the pregnant woman, because you need additional amounts of these elements:

Proteins
Take protein-rich foods of animal & plant sources, because during the pregnancy you and your fetus need additional amounts, in order to develop the fetus body tissues. The most important sources of the proteins are the fat-free meats, fish, poultry, milk & dairy products such as cheeses. This is in addition to the eggs & pulses (lentils, broad beans, and chickpeas). These are also rich in fiber.

Calcium
Take the foods that contain calcium to maintain the health of your bones & teeth and to build the skeleton of the fetus. It is noteworthy to mention that the requirement increases for the 25 years woman who needs to consume large amounts of calcium. The most important sources are Milk & dairy products, eggs, sesame, and broccoli.

Iron
Take the foods that contain iron, as there is an increased need during this period. It is important to cover the increase in the volume of blood and to have an adequate reserve to supply the baby till he is 3-6 month old. The important sources are: leafy green vegetables, meats, especially the organ’s meat (kidneys, liver etc).

Daily nutritional requirements for the pregnant woman

·         2-3 cups of milk.

·         120 gm of meat, poultry, or fish at dinner & supper.

·         1 egg.

·         4slices of brown bread.

·         4 spoons of cooked rice.

·         2fruits.

·         3 spoons of oil.

·         6 spoons of sugar

·         1cup of juice.

·        Cooked vegetables & salad.

·        Proper Nutrition during pregnancy helps you to breast feed your baby naturally after delivery and your slogan should be proper nutrition