Explained: Why babies must only be breastfed for 6 months | Explained News,The Indian Express

Doctors say breastfeeding should start as soon as possible, preferably within one hour of birth, and babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months.

In recently published guidelines on nutrition, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences recommended that newborns be given a mixture of ghee and honey, a paste of gold, and several herbs some of which contain psychoactive ingredients. The guidelines recommend just honey and butter with some herbs on the first day of birth, ghee with herbs on the second day, and colostrum (mother’s first milk) with ghee and honey only on the third day of birth.

Several doctors have called out these guidelines for contradicting the proven benefits of breastfeeding. Some have noted that feeding newborns honey could lead to a rare but serious infection called botulism.

When should breastfeeding start?

Doctors say breastfeeding should start as soon as possible, preferably within one hour of birth, and babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months. “It is important that babies start breastfeeding soon after birth; the colostrum is rich in antibodies and protects them from infections. In fact, honey, sugar, salt, nuts, and cow’s milk should not be given to a child until age 1,” said Dr Nitin Verma, director, Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital.

He said consuming honey before that age is linked to botulism, poisoning caused by a bacterial infection that leads to weakness of the muscles of the eye, face, mouth, and throat, which can spread to the torso and legs as well. Although spores of the bacterium are widely present in the environment, contaminated honey is one of the reasons for infant botulism. The World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Mayo Clinic all recommend against honey being given to children below age 1.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-babies-must-only-be-breastfed-for-6-months-7966401/

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