Feeding is essential for the development of the new-born baby, but she also plays a role in the appearance of some diseases at the child and of the adult. And the ideal nutrition is the exclusive breast-feeding until 6 months, from which the only 15 % newborn babies benefit. The Academy of medicine issued impellent recommendations in the feeding, of which a lengthening of postnatal leave for the women who choose to nurse.

An inimitable milk

The Academy of medicine recommends the breast-feeding in first intention at the newborn baby then the new-born baby. This feeding must be exclusive for 6 months, otherwise at the very least for 4 months.

To encourage the women to make this choice, the Academy goes to the point of offering in the authorities to lengthen leave post motherhood in 4 or 6 months for the women who make the choice to put their child in the breast.

It is necessary to say that the feeding in France is little spread. Currently in France, only 15 % new-born babies are exclusively nursed until 6 months, against for example 80 % in Nordic countries.

Why is the exclusive feeding during 6 months recommended?

The beneficial effects of the breast-feeding are very broad and meet at the child’s, at the future adult and also at the mother.

Besides development and besides growth, feeding confers a protection against the digestive and respiratory infections. An exclusive feeding for at least 4 months would also have a preventive effect on allergies. The maternal milk also contributes to tell future obesity, diabetes of type 1 at the child and cardiovascular diseases at the adult.

At the mother, feeding makes easier the return of layers, weight loss, diminishes the risk of breast cancer and of ovary and favours the harmony of relation mother-child, what helps to tell the maltreatment.

When feeding is impossible or refused

Recommendations were also formulated in case of impossibility of feeding.

- Use only expressions for new-born baby based on cow’s milk norms of which are governed by French and European regulations. These must be given until the age of 1 year.

- The whole cow’s milk (UHT) or half deprived of fat must never be used before the age of 1 year (it is too rich in proteins, iron and in essential fatty acids).

- Milk hypoallergenic or expressions of soya ‘does not have their place in the feeding of the normal new-born baby’ definite the Academy. The first do not bring nutritional advantage in comparison with classical expressions for new-born baby, while seconds do not give protective effect in relation to allergy in the proteins of the cow’s milk or of infections.

- Finally, food diversification must start only after the age of 5 past months.

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