Air Masak & Exclusive Breastfeeding

Assalamualaikum..

Hari ni pja nak berkongsi ilmu dengan bakal mommies or mommies (if belum tahu tentang perkara ni)

Actually masa tengah sibuk-sibuk review blog semua mama-mama hot dekat malaysia ni, pja ada baca entry dari kak lia tentang mak sedara dia tanye, boleh ke kita bagi air masak dekat baby? so pja pun search la pasal topic ni.. sebab teringat dulu mak de gak bual ngan kak na pasal bagi air masak dekat afkar.. Dari pembacaan, termasuk baca dekat susuibu.com..

Ni pja dapat dari kementerian kesihatan tentang efek bila kita bagi air masak dekat baby:

Breastfeeding - Danger of Water

Introduction

Infants who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life grow well and do not need any other foods. Experts on infant feeding recommend that exclusive breastfeeding should be continued for the first 6 months as breast milk provides energy and all the nutrients that an infant needs. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant deaths caused by common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, hastens recovery during illnesses, and helps in child spacing.

During the first 6 months, water supplementation is not necessary for breastfed infants, even in hot climates. Water may also contain contaminants or allergens which will cause danger to infants.

Why is it harmful to give water to breastfed babies before the age of six months?

Giving water to breastfed babies before the age of six months may lead to many consequences that are harmful to them.

• Water fills up the baby with empty calories, resulting in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain). Consumption of even a small amount of water or any other liquids can fill a baby's stomach and reduce his appetite for nutrient-rich breast milk.
• Water interferes with the establishment of mother's milk supply. Babies who get water s are less interested in nursing. If a baby is not nursing as often as he should, the mother's milk will take a longer time to "come in" and this can delay or prevent the mother from establishing an optimum milk supply. In addition, if the water is given to babies in bottles and using teats, the baby will get nipple confusion, whereby he may reject the mother's breast. .
• Water increases the risk of illnesses. Water can be a vehicle for the introduction of pathogens. Infants are at greater risk of exposure to diarrhea causing organisms, especially in environments with poor hygiene and sanitation.
• Water is associated with increased bilirubin levels and the severity of newborn jaundice. Babies who are breastfeeding well do not have much problem with jaundice.
• Water can cause a condition called oral water intoxication. In babies less than 5 weeks old, too much water can dilute the sodium in the baby's bloodstream and this can lead to symptoms like low body temperature, bloating, and seizures.

How do breastfed babies get enough water?

Breast milk is composed of 88% water, and provides all the fluids that a breast feeding baby needs. Healthy newborns enter the world well hydrated and remain so if breastfed exclusively, day and night, frequently and unrestricted. Even in the first few days after birth, before the breast milk "comes in", colostrum is all that is needed to keep the baby well hydrated.

What about infants living in hot, dry climates?

A number of studies done in various locations (both humid and dry) at temperatures ranging from 22 - 41°C (71.6 - 105.8°F) and 9 - 96% relative humidity determined that an exclusively breastfed baby does not need extra water. .If the baby is allowed to nurse according to his needs, he will get all the liquids needed through breast milk.

Should water be given to breastfed babies who have diarrhoea?

In the case of mild diarrhoea, an increased frequency of breastfeeding is recommended. For moderate and severe diarrhea, seek the advice of health workers immediately and at the same time continue to breastfeed.

Should water be given to babies aged six months and older?

At six months of age, complementary foods should be given to babies in addition to breast milk. This is to ensure that the babies' increased nutrient requirements are met.

The types of foods a baby consumes will affect his water needs. Generally, the water requirements of babies aged 6 to 11 months can be fulfilled through breast milk. Additional boiled water can be provided after a meal. Please remember that plain water is a better choice than juices. It is the best drink to satisfy the babies' thirst, and does not have sugar that fruit juices do.

Water should be given to babies using a cup rather than a bottle as babies tend to take too much water from a feeding bottle.

When giving water or any other liquids to babies, caution should be taken to ensure that the water and other liquids do not replace breast milk. Water can also replace or dilute the nutrient content of complementary foods. Reducing the amount of water added to broth and soups could improve its nutrient density and hence, the nutritional status of children in this age group.

Dari pembacaan pja, sekiranya kita exclusive breastfeed anak kita, kita tak perlu bagi dia air masak dekat dia sebelum umur dia 6 bulan, sebab:

i. Dalam susu ibu sendiri ada 80% air yang diperlukan oleh bayi.. (Ingat lagi ada seorang ustaz bagi tahu dalam satu kitab tu menceritakan tentang susu ibu.. anak tak perlukan makanan & minuman lain selain dari ibunya sendiri sebab sebelah kanan dada adalah sumber makanan dan sebelah kiri adalah sumber minuman. oleh itu susukan anak sebelah kanan kemudian berikan dia sebelah kiri pula supaya dia cukup makan dan minumnya) Pja ingat lagi ustaz tu dari kuala selangor, dia ada mention nama kitab tu, tp pja tak ingat.

ii.Dekat usus baby ada satu lapisan yang boleh menghalang dari terkena sebarang jangkitan, if kita bagi baby minum air masak, lapisan itu akan beransur hilang.

iii. Bila kita bagi air masak, air itu akan mengurangkan nutrient dalam susu kita..

iv. Bila bagi air, bayi akan cepat kenyang dan kurang minum susu badan & akan mengurangkan production susu.

So, kalau pembaca ada sebarang tambahan atau komen, jagan malu-malu ye...

Nota Kechil yang mengharap : ada juga terbaca pasal pengalaman mommies yang breastfeed baby dia dok hadapi masalah bila orang tua2 tak kisah la mak sendiri ke, mak mertua ke, mak cik2 ke.. or babysitter sendiri dok bagi jugak baby dia air masak sedangkan dia tak nak bagi air masak kat baby dia.. kalau nak cakap lebih-lebih takut terasa.. lagi malang lagi ade akak tu, husband dia pun marah tak bg air masak kat baby.. kesiannye... Hope orang keliling pja nanti boleh terima if pja tak nak bagi air masak kat baby..

to En. Suami : Once pja start exclusive breastfeed nanti, pja tak nak bagi air masak kat baby tau..tau.. abang pun kene baca, tuntut ilmu same-same ye... InsyaAllah..