Breast Feeding Week falls between 1st and 7th August

Celebrating Breast Feeding Week
The breast feeding week will be celebrated from 1st t to 7th August, 2009 in more than 120 countries. World organizations like World Health Organization WHO, UNICEF etc in alliance with various government and non government organizations across the globe will apply concerted effort to create and sustain an environment that encourages breast feeding for children up to 2 years of age.
The week every year commemorates the declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding : Offers Protection to Babies
Medically it has been proven that mother's milk is complete nutrition for the baby for first 6 months and the child needs to be exclusively breastfed during this period of time without any outside supplements like milk from source other than mother, formula, food, drink or even water. The baby should be breastfed immediately after birth preferably within 1/2 to 1 hour of birth so that colostrum- the first yellowish liquid in mother's- should necessarily go into the baby's system.

The First Milk Colostrum and its Significance
Colostrum is yellowish or creamy in color and is high in protein, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and immunoglobulins. Colostrum feeding is necessary for health of the baby as it contains immunoglobulins which are actually antibodies that provide immunity providing protection against a wide variety of bacterial and viral illnesses. High concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells, present in colostrum have the ability to destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Also, the baby's suckling reflex is most active in the first few hours which can make the whole process easier for the mother as well as baby.

Transitional & Mature milk
Transitional milk occurs after colostrum and lasts for approximately two weeks. The transitional milk includes high levels of fat, lactose, water-soluble vitamins with more calories than the colostrum. Mature milk is the final milk that is produced 90% of which is water. It helps the child remain well hydrated. The other 10% constitutes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats which supply energy for the body's s growth.

Validated Facts on Advantage of of Breast Feeding
Several studies validate the fact that mother's milk induces an infant's immune system to mature more quickly than in a child fed artificially as is observed in breast-fed babies in whom there is higher production of antibodies in response to immunization. Also, certain hormones in milk such as cortisol and Epidermal Growth Factor, Nerve growth Factor, etc act to close up the leaky mucosal lining of the newborn, making it relatively impenetrable to to unwanted pathogens and other potentially harmful agents.

The Disadvantages of Formula
As compared to mother's milk the formula and other artificial milk exposes the infant to infections. Also, the infant is put at increased risk of some chronic diseases. When cow's milk breaks down, the curd that forms is hard for human babies to digest. Breast milk, on the other hand, forms more whey than curd, and the curd is softer and more easily digested. The breastfed babies often have fewer digestive troubles than bottle-fed babies because fats in formula aren't as well absorbed, and is the reason why bottle-fed babies have more unpleasant smelling bowel movements. Along with this, abstaining from breast feeding puts a woman at increased risk of anemia, breast and ovarian cancer.

Breast Feeding Tips

The new mother should start breast feeding as soon as possible after birth. Avoid artificial nipples with out setting a limit on the length or frequency of breastfeeding. Feed the baby as and when she feels hungry. Intake of fluids or a glass of water at the start of every feeding session will ensure enough fluids in the mother's body. Use of pillows to support the baby while feeding will ease posture pains and avoidance of tight fitting inner wear on the chest will allow easy healing of sore nipples. The mother should consult a doctor or lactation consultant if the pain during breast feeding persists beyond the first few feeds.

Treat Obesity with Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is not a Minor Health Issue, Shortens Lifespan
A recent study conducted by researchers from Oxford University's Clinical Trial Service Unit, concludes that obesity shortens a person's lifespan by 10 years and is comparable to effect of a life time spent smoking.

What is Obesity?
In the simplest of terms, obesity is defined as presence of body fat, far in excess of requirements of the body. Obesity is not just a cosmetic issue of bad appearance. It increases risk of diseases and health problems, the most common and well known among which are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Determining Obesity through Body Mass Index
Doctors use the ratio of height and weight — called the body mass index (BMI) — to determine obesity. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese. Extreme or severe or morbid obesity is aid to occur when the BMI is 40 or more. A BMI between 18.5 to 24.9 falls within the normal body weight range, 25.0 to 29.9 is the range for overweights and between 30 to 40 is the range for obese.

Symptoms Associated with Obesity
Obesity in itself is a visible symptom of bad health. However, obesity too brings along with it a subset of symptom . Obesity has several symptoms like snoring, sleeping too much or difficulty in sleeping, pain in neck or joints, excessive sweating, feeling hot with inability to exert, lethargy and fatigue depression etc.

Reasons for Obesity
Lack of physical activity, high calorie unhealthy diets, genetic predisposition, family history etc. are some the common factors that lead to obesity. Certain medical conditions like Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary, under activity etc. also lead to weight gain and thus obesity in the long run.

Bariatric Surgery Solution for Obesity
Following a healthy diet with lots of greens and fruits along with frequent water intake and regular exercise, serve to keep one healthy. However, in case of extreme obesity medical help is required. Bariatric surgery is a gastrointestinal operation that cause therapeutic weight loss. Shalby has a team of experts in bariatric surgery who combine their skills and experience to help patient's obesity problem. Bariatric Surgery is an effective alternative to treat severe obesity.