Pediatric Nutrition in Practice

4 Annexes

This text has been written as a quick guide for
families in an affluent country setting in Europe
and is based on information provided to families
compiled by the Committee on Nutrition of the
German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent
Medicine [1] and the German National Consen-
sus Recommendations by the German Young
Families Network [2]. Modifications may be nec-
essary for other settings.

Whether breastfeeding or infant formula is
applied, feeding your baby not only provides nu-
trition but also comprises tender loving care, at-
tention and closeness.

Breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding for
  healthy infants


• Breast milk is easy to digest, always available,
  comes at the right feeding temperature, and
  carries little infectious risk


• The protective components of breast milk help
  to reduce the infant’s risk of infectious diseas-
  es, particularly with respect to diarrhea


• Breastfeeding supports close skin-to-skin con-
  tact between mother and infant
  
  
  • For most babies, full or exclusive breastfeeding
    offers adequate nutrition during the first 4–6
    months of life. However, even a shorter period
    of full or exclusive breastfeeding with addi-
    tional supplemental feeding is worthwhile –
    any breastfeeding is strongly encouraged
  
  
  • The introduction of complementary solid
    foods should not discourage continuated
    breastfeeding. Rather, breastfeeding should
    continue after the introduction of comple-
    mentary feeds. Mother and child decide how
    long to continue breastfeeding
  
  
  
  

Practical Recommendations for

Breastfeeding

Aim at attaching the baby to your breast within

the first hour after birth. Particularly during the

first days after birth, you should ask for help, sup-

port, and practical advice on how to position your

baby. Your child should turn towards you with its

whole body and take not only the nipple but a

larger portion of the breast into its mouth. You

can breastfeed also after a caesarean section – do

not hesitate to ask for support and help.

To promote the normal maturation process of

breast milk, let your baby suckle consecutively on

Koletzko B, et al. (eds): Pediatric Nutrition in Practice. World Rev Nutr Diet. Basel, Karger, 2015, vol 113, pp 316–319
DOI: 10.1159/000375275

4.4 Feeding My Baby – Advice for Families

Berthold Koletzko  Katharina Dokoupil