Breastfeeding: Complete nutrition for the baby, medicine for the mother

 Breastfeeding: Complete nutrition for the baby, medicine for the mother

A new mother cannot express in words the feeling of the child clinging to her mother's chest after a long wait of nine months. With that, the new mother's journey begins. A mother's first responsibility is to breastfeed her baby.

Because the newborn baby is completely dependent on mother's milk until he is 6 months old. Therefore, doctors say that new mothers should know everything related to breastfeeding.

Dr. Obstetrician and Gynecologist working at Vatsalya IVF Center. Upma Basnet says, 'From the day of birth to 6 months, all the nutrients a child needs are found in mother's milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is very important for children during this period.

Between 6 and 12 months, half of the nutrients a baby needs comes from breast milk and half from other solid foods.

Even after this, children from one year to two years of age should be breastfed because one-third of the nutrients they need are available from mother's milk.

Three stages of breastfeeding

Dr. According to Basnet, after giving birth, the mother produces milk in three stages: colostrum secretion, transitional milk and mature milk.

- Colostrum is secreted two to five days after birth. It contains many antibodies like cholesterol, nucleoside and immunoglobulin, which can protect the child from any infection.

- Transitional milk is released between the second and fifth day after birth until the second week. During this time, the mother feels full and hot breasts. The milk gradually turns blue or white in color.

- Mature milk starts coming from the second or third week. The amount of fat in this milk changes.

The difference between colostrum and mature milk is that colostrum milk is yellow in color compared to normal milk.

Mother's milk is 80 percent water while solid food is 12 percent. It also contains two percent carbohydrates and protein. She also says that it also contains all the necessary micronutrients in prescribed amounts, which help the child's digestion process.

Therefore, no food other than mother's milk is provided to the newborn for the first 6 months after birth.

"If you breastfeed properly when you are hungry, you don't have to give water to the baby," said Dr. Basnet says.

Breastfeeding for how long?

Gynecologist Dr. Isan Children's and Women's Hospital. According to Mala Shrestha, breastfeeding for two years from birth is very healthy for the child. Working women keep milk in the refrigerator and give it to their children when they are hungry.

But do not feed cold milk directly from the refrigerator. Wait until the milk reaches normal temperature. Shrestha says that the milk should be fed only when it is normal. "It is not wrong to store milk and feed it to children later, but in this process, there is a possibility that the nutrients in the milk will be reduced," she says, "Cold milk is also harmful for the health of the child."

Therefore, he suggests that mothers should prioritize their children over work until they reach the age of one year.

Why is breastfeeding important for babies?

Dr. According to Mala, mother's milk provides nutrients and antioxidants to the baby for six months.

"Mother's milk protects the child from long-term, short-term or any type of infection and problem," she says.

A strong bond between mother and child

During breastfeeding, there is a kind of tight bond between mother and child. This bond is very important for the development of children. Shrestha says.

During this period, the child feels safe with the mother. He says that this bond helps the child's physical and mental development to a great extent. But now most of the mothers are facing the problem of low milk production.

According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2022, only 56 percent of pregnant women were breastfeeding. That is, out of 100 people, only 56 mothers breastfeed their babies for 6 months after birth.

Some people are forced to resort to lactogen instead of taking their doo. With the introduction of some modernity, new mothers resort to formula milk and lactogen due to the mistaken understanding that formula milk is more nutritious and better than their own milk.

Such products fulfill the food needs of the child. But not as safe and powerful as mother's milk. Basnet says.

What to do if there is no milk?

Only 'formula milk' is made as an alternative to this. Formula milk is produced based on the nutrients found in mother's milk. Formula milk is prepared according to certain standards by combining the amount of protein, vitamins, minerals and fat in mother's milk.

It gives nourishment to the baby. Your own mother's milk does not contribute to the formation of antibodies. Although it is a good option if the milk does not come, if the milk continues to come, it is better to feed the mother's milk than such products. Basnet says.

When taking formula milk, it should be taken with high liquid protein. Mother's milk contains 70 percent liquid protein, which plays a role in the physical development of the baby and prevents constipation, she says.

Why is milk produced less?

Health conditions can also make a difference in breast milk production. If the mother is healthy, well-rested, calm and well-nourished, the milk provides all the nutrients. The production is also in the same proportion. But if the mother has problems such as stress, hormone imbalance, thyroid, low milk production, Dr. Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist. Basnet says.

Stress causes hormonal imbalance, which affects milk production. Apart from this, low milk production of the mother can also be caused by the group of cells in the breast, hypothyroidism, underweight, she says, "Fat is necessary to increase the quality and quantity of mother's milk." Even if there is less fat, protein and liquid in the diet, less milk is produced.

Some women believe that according to the size of the breast, the milk is more or less. In other words, there is a widespread misconception that if the size of the breast is large, more milk will be produced and if the size is small, the milk will be less. Breast size has nothing to do with mother's milk production. Basnet says.

She says that breastfeeding is not only like elixir for the baby, but also works as a medicine because it is beneficial for the health of the mother.

What are the benefits?

- If the baby sucks the mother's milk immediately after birth, the placenta will come out quickly.

- Bleeding in childbirth is reduced.

- Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to normal.

- If he is suckled from his mother's milk immediately after birth, it helps him to get more milk from the breast.

- Sucking milk immediately and often reduces the problem of breast swelling.

- Breast milk can be fed anytime and anywhere.

- Intimacy between mother and child increases.

- It works as a contraceptive if there is no return of menstruation and effective full breastfeeding for the first 6 months after childbirth.

- The risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer in the mother is reduced.

- Reduces the unnecessary weight of the mother.

How to breastfeed

- The mother should always breastfeed the baby while sitting in a comfortable position. While keeping the baby in your arms, you should feed it by placing one hand on the head so as to balance the body well.

- You should not breastfeed the baby while sleeping. It makes the child uncomfortable to eat.

- After breastfeeding, the baby should be placed on the shoulder and lightly touched on the back for some time.

What kind of food does the mother eat?

Obstetrics and gynecology expert Dr. should give preference to foods rich in protein and fat. Basnet says. Lactating women should take protein foods three times a day.

90% of protein can be obtained from plants and 10% from fish. A pregnant mother should eat different types of food every day (grains, legumes, green vegetables, vegetables and fruits, fish, meat). Pregnant women should not do hard work and should stay away from smoking and alcohol.

Anxiety in the breastfeeding mother

Dr. According to Basnet, some superstitions are rooted in some of them when they become mothers for the first time.

"Many people have the illusion that if the baby is fed milk, the breast will sag and the shape will look bad. Because of this concern, they are afraid of getting pregnant," she says. "It's not breastfeeding, but age and heredity that are responsible for loose breasts."

A mother needs proper sleep

If the child does not sleep at night, the mother can also cause sleep problems. Thapa says.

Good sleep is a basic need for mothers. If there is a problem related to sleep, it affects the mother both physically and mentally. It causes problems related to depression, Dr. Basnet says.

You can sleep and rest while the baby is sleeping or someone else is taking care of it. During this time, you may feel tired as you have to rest at home. To make good use of this time, one can focus on activities that are of interest to please the mind.

Junk food is poison

 Junk food is poison

If 'junk food' is not true, can children be allowed to lick biscuits at birth? Is it absurd that mother's milk is the best food for babies? If you argue that there is no such thing as good or bad food, then you can say that there is no best food either!

Is it right to call Pratik Joshiji's food 'junk'? After reading the article, I couldn't help but write something. Anyone who googles what is 'junk food' will know. Similarly, Joshiji's statement that "there is no legal definition of junk food or junk food" was also not right for me.

Junk food is food that contains a lot of sugar, salt, and calories, (especially to increase the taste), but it either does not contain the nutrients required by the body or is very low. In another language, it is also called ultra-processed food.

Robert Lustig is an American pediatrician. After treating obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure in American children for 20 years, he realized that this is not the only way to treat diseases. It should be prevented. That was proper food.

After this, he studied law and became a lawyer to fight against the companies that make 'junk food'. In many books, Robert Lustig has described in detail how the habit of eating "junk food" of the American people has created many problems.

Dr. If you look at Robert Lustig on YouTube, you will know how he is raising public awareness against food that is full of many chemicals that do not contain sugar, salt, or fiber, i.e., ``fat food''. So, if the word 'junk food' can be used in America, Europe, India, why not in Nepal?

Similarly, to the author's question, 'Is it correct to distinguish food as good and bad?', I say that food is good and bad. Stale, wormy, rotten food full of many chemicals, salted and sugary food can't be called 'bad' food? This word is also used in English or Hindi.

Yes, the nature of food can be different according to people's lifestyle, work, place. "High calorie foods may be suitable for athletes," says the author. It is, but it should be a meal with healthy calories. Foods made with too many 'unhealthy fats, high sugar and salt calories', 'flour products' are not good for athletes.

Telling players that ``it happens when they use junk food in moderation'' is like saying that ``it happens even if children are given cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs in moderation''. I thought that's what parents are doing now.

What I experienced from the author's article is that ``Patru Khana'' is a word used by people who call themselves nutritionists and have only superficial knowledge about food, but for thousands of years, our ancestors have gained knowledge about food and used it in their daily lives. Does their knowledge have any importance?

Our forefathers used many cultural practices regarding this, that both mind and brain are healthy when we eat healthy food according to the season. That is why we eat satu and sorbet on Akshaya Tritiya, dahi-chiura on Asar 15, khichdi, ghee and chaku on January 1.

Our forefathers used to say - 'Jai Khae Anna, Bains Hoe Mind' 'Pet Safa To Har Rog Dafa!' We use thousands of proverbs and sayings about healthy food in our daily life. If it is not true that Patru Khana means 'junk food', can children be allowed to lick biscuits right after they are born? Is it absurd that mother's milk is the best food for babies? Because if you argue that there is no such thing as good or bad food, then you can say that there is no best food either!

Yes, 'junk food' should be viewed in a negative light. In any case, it cannot be thought that 'Patru Khana' can benefit the body. The word 'Patru Khana' itself means 'bad food'. Even in the US, voices are being raised against the companies that make such paper meals.

I will write something about the data available in the US and the studies done in the books written by the journalists there after a lot of study on how 'junk food' has worsened the health of the American people. You can see about these books on the website. It can also be heard on YouTube.

Joshiji's sentence that 'food is just food, food has no moral value' is wrong. Food is not only food, it is also connected with culture, religion and lifestyle. Before a human being is born, the fetus in the mother's stomach also needs healthy food.

If the mother eats bad, unhealthy food and the mother is malnourished and anemic, the baby is also born weak. That is why it is said that pregnant women should eat healthy food. Food also has a moral value. After eating, the baby is given a healthy bed and blanket. Even if you give him 'noodles and potato chips', who would say that they contain calories?

When the author writes that the choice of food does not make you a good or bad person, I say that it does not make you good or bad, that is, but the choice of food will determine whether or not your health will be good or not (high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, many problems that come with obesity) and forgetfulness. It can also confirm things.

One wonders how an enlightened nutritionist like Joshiji could say that burgers, pizzas and phapar and millet roti can be put in the same category. Is eating millet bread, curd, mashed potatoes, chickpeas and khichdi and eating noodle chips the same thing?

My biggest concern is that feeding a malnourished child with noodles and biscuits is enough calories. It is very wrong and unnatural to say that. Would pediatricians and public health experts support such a thing?

Why did the author not consider that because of the ignorance of the Nepalese, how many poor people gave 'Patru food' to children, and they became victims of malnutrition! I would like to have a public discussion on this matter with the author and people who have similar views. Joshiji is ready!

Responding to the fact that the root cause of many diseases in the body is an unhealthy stomach, junk food and unhealthy food. In his book 'Metabolic' Lusting mentions how food companies, drug companies and junk food deprive us of being healthy.

After reading many scientific researches in this book written in simple English language, I thought it appropriate to bring forward the facts written in it to the masses.

Maybe some of the facts written in it have already been said by public health experts, but in this book, Dr. Lusting has written in a very interesting way through his experience. He himself is a pediatric and diabetes expert. He says, 'Drugs given for chronic diseases do not cure the disease, they only cure the symptoms.'

"Chronic diseases should not be cured by medicine but by food."

The habit of eating junk food is like alcohol.

"Food companies, big pharmaceutical companies and governments that ignore public health are in the same place."

This book, written keeping in mind the background of America, is very important for countries like Nepal and India. This book of more than 400 pages is a source book. It cannot be read at once, it should be read from time to time.

While reading a book, we experience how the things written in it are compatible with us. "If we don't change the style of food, no matter how much hospitals, tools and medicine are developed, many health diseases will not decrease", it is said in many places in the book.

Dr. Lusting writes, "In America, 62 percent of the food available in large stores is junk food." There are many colors mixed in them and we are gradually getting poisoned by such foods. Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty deposits in the liver, cancer, amnesia etc. are not transmitted by such food. One way to solve such problems is for the community and individuals to eat food prepared in a natural way as much as possible. It will help us to fight epidemics like Covid by increasing our disease fighting power. He has written in his book - "Doctors and other health workers do not talk about nutrition."

Dr. Lusting first studied science, graduated. And studied medicine. He became a pediatrician. He then worked on the problem of childhood obesity in America. As a hormone expert, while solving children's problems, he experienced - 'There are many problems that cannot be solved by medicine alone. Children's obesity and thyroid problems cannot be solved only with the knowledge studied in college.' And he started treatment in a new way.

While working, he experienced how sugar, other sugary substances, junk food cause problems in the liver, it increases the chances of cancer and dementia. It was based on real research and not just his own experience. That is why he clearly said, ``You should eat this kind of food which keeps the liver healthy and relaxes the stomach. Eating like this is considered to be a real meal.

Owners of various types of junk food and food factories hide the fact that commercial food is unhealthy. All foods are naturally healthy. In order to preserve the food for a long time by extracting the cheap fibrous material (outer skin) from the same food, the leafy food is extracted from the factory by mixing many chemicals. After eating food prepared in this way, our liver becomes unhealthy. If there is no fibrous material, there is a possibility of stomach upset and infection. (Page 8)

While writing this book, he has mentioned 1,54 sources, mentioning all those sources in the book makes the size of the book more expensive, so all those sources have been added to his website.

In spite of having the best doctors, many hospitals, modern laboratories for surgery, etc. in America, are the American people healthy?' In fact, among other highly developed countries, America has more diabetes problems than any other country. Similarly, America is in the top 5 countries with dementia, cancer and heart disease. The reason for all this is food and lifestyle.

In one place of his book, he has written - "During the covid epidemic, Dr. Fauci did a very good job. But I am angry with him about one thing. He never spoke about the importance of food in fighting the infection of covid. If he had spoken about this, there would have been a very positive impact on the community.

Can anxiety become a mental illness?

 Can anxiety become a mental illness?

Atyas means to panic and rush. The reason for panic varies from person to person. Some people have a habit of rushing. Some people have to do everything quickly from a young age, if they are doing one thing, when will that work be done and then the next one will be done, it is difficult to wait for their turn even when talking, even if they have to wait for a long time somewhere, they become impatient. This is called panic habit.

This anxiety habit is not a disease. If the nature is already anxious, then it can be improved through behavior change and counseling.

If any person panics, something may be bothering him. Let's say, the problem of thinking. A person with a delusional problem feels as if others are thinking bad about you, plotting, etc. In such a case, the person often tries to get away from the person who interrupted him.

Patients with anxiety disorders and mania are often hyperactive. So he tries to do more work in less time. As a result, a person who is doing a job is worried about when that job will be finished. A person with a fear problem is afraid that something bad will happen to me if I can't do it. Even though the person knows that it is only fear, it seems that when he cannot control himself, he becomes more afraid, anxious and agitated.

Similarly, a person with a problem of depression, a person with weak morale, if he is able to do something well or if he is not able to do something, he is tormented by pain and worry that something bad will happen to me and seems to hurry more than necessary.

Another problem seen in our society is 'obsessive compulsive disorder'. Although he knows that some wrong thought is coming to his mind, he cannot control it. When you try to control it, the heart beats, it becomes difficult to breathe, it is fast, and it seems that what is not right and what is not enough.

After doing something, there is a feeling of inferiority that you have done it in vain and if you are not able to do that work, there is a problem of anxiety. Anxiety problems are usually a symptom of all mental illnesses. Anxiety is a disease of fear if there is a problem of panic for no reason. But in any problem, because it is difficult internally, it seems that they are afraid when they are not able to present their problem well.

Even though the mind knows that there is no need to be afraid, if there is a problem of fear and anxiety without any reason, it is an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can be seen in any mental illness. A person with arousal problem has a problem of anxiety due to overstimulation of the mind and body. A person suffering from depression has a very low morale, which makes him panic over the smallest things, whether something went wrong or not.

Even the habit of panic can turn into a disease later

Some people may have a habit of being nervous, but whether they are nervous or not, everyone experiences stress. Just because he has a habit of panicking, it does not necessarily mean that he does everything in a hurry.

For example, there are four members in a family. Three of them do not panic at all and one person has a tendency to panic. If there is some problem in the family, three people solve the problem as easily as possible. It is very difficult for an anxious person to find a solution.

People with anxiety are more likely to develop mental health problems due to stress than others. People with panic disorder are more likely to suffer from fear and anxiety disorders.

Who has more problems with rushing?

In children under 10 years of age, the problem of panic and haste does not appear much. In children above 10 years of age, the problem of panic and rushing may be seen.

Due to the pressure of studies and work, if there is no one to listen to them at home, such children have the problem of rushing, panicking, and acting out.

Compared to the previous generation, today's children seem to be more attracted to mobile phones. They watch Tik Tok and Reel more on mobile, which are very short-lived, even in that short time, many things are included. As a result, the child gets used to seeing a lot of things in a short time. When watching a reel, they scroll in 5 to 10 seconds, which makes it difficult for them to watch even a three-minute video. It is difficult for a person who watches a three-minute reel to watch a 30-minute video.

Because things change faster than before, when one thing is not well understood and immediately attracted to another thing, it seems that children can't focus on something, can't pay attention, can't divide their attention.

Treatment and prevention

Having a habit of panic does not mean that everyone has mental illness. By saying that you have a habit of panic, you cannot change the character and personality of a person today or tomorrow. Another problem may arise when you think that you will change your personality. As long as the anxiety problem has not affected work, relationships and daily life, then there is no need to worry about the disease. But when this habit causes me to get irritable, get angry, affect relationships, have problems with memory and sleep, then I should be aware that I have a mental illness and I should go to the hospital and seek the advice of a doctor.

If it is not possible to make an offering to a doctor, they can do daily physical and mental exercises, meditation. How the body and mind feel when not panicking and how it feels when panicky and how to control it If you think about what can be done, there is less chance that the habit of anxiety will turn into a disease.

Can high blood pressure be controlled by diet?

 Can high blood pressure be controlled by diet?

There are various reasons behind high blood pressure. Like, hereditary, kidney and heart problems, stress etc. Along with that, the main responsible food is also considered in this.

The World Health Organization has also recommended the 'Dash Diet' diet plan to control high blood pressure. Which suggests how high blood pressure can be controlled with the help of diet.

The Dash Diet recommends eating whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, as they are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.

Recently, doctors also say that the problem of high blood pressure has increased due to diet. There are some foods that we eat, which increase blood pressure. But the problem can be controlled if the quantity and balance is eaten. You should eat in such a way that you get nutrition and not disorder. In this case, diet plays an important role in increasing and controlling high blood pressure.

These foods play a role in increasing blood pressure

Magnesium deficiency increases the risk of high blood pressure. As soon as there is a lack of magnesium, an increase in calcium increases the blood pressure by narrowing the blood vessels.

If more salt is used, the sodium present in it increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Generally speaking, the more sodium in the blood, the more water it draws into the blood vessels.

It increases blood pressure and then increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Excessively greasy, fried food can also cause obesity and high blood pressure. Alcohol, cigarettes, packaged foods also increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Obesity can also be a cause of high blood pressure. Obesity is an increase in body fat, when body fat increases, it narrows the blood vessels. When the veins are narrowed, it becomes difficult for the heart to work. As a result, blood pressure may increase.

Foods that control high blood pressure

Since potassium reduces the effect of sodium, you should eat more potassium-rich fruits and vegetables. Milk, curd and mohi contain calcium which helps in controlling blood pressure. Do not skip the salt. Many people eat vegetables without salt after high blood pressure, which is wrong. People with high blood pressure also need salt, so salt should be eaten but its quantity should be reduced.

Blood pressure can be controlled by consuming foods rich in magnesium which causes blood pressure problems due to lack of magnesium. We get magnesium through food. Bananas, broccoli, beans, cashews, almonds, avocados, fish, walnuts, green vegetables, legumes, parsley seeds, soybeans, sesame seeds, and tofu are the main sources of magnesium.

Bitter foods like green tea and bitter gourd also help in controlling blood pressure. Bitter foods contain potassium and magnesium. Potassium removes sodium from the body through water as urine. By reducing the amount of blood in the body, it reduces the pressure on the artery walls. The effect of which is only for some time. Similarly, magnesium makes blood vessels flexible and wide and lowers blood pressure. But before eating, you should consult a doctor.

If the doctor has advised you to take medicine, you should take it regularly. Blood pressure can be brought under control by staying away from alcohol and smoking, controlling anger, incorporating yoga and meditation into your daily routine, staying busy, walking, not letting stress dominate you, and making a regular schedule of meals.