FNRI Recommends Exclusive Breast-Feeding for the First Six Months

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) recommends to "Breast-feed infants exclusively from birth to 6 months, and then, give appropriate foods while continuing breast-feeding".

The breast milk is the best food for infants since it contains the essential nutrients needed by the newborn. Breast-feeding babies do not need any water, vitamins, or iron, to add to breast milk for the first 6 months. The mother's milk provides all the nutrients and fluid requirements needed by babies to be healthy.
Here are four practical ways to know if the infant is taking enough mother's milk.

	Feeding Indicator - Mothers are encouraged to breast feed the newborn as soon as possible. Babies may start breast-feeding as early as 30 minutes after they are born. During the first two days, the newborn may feed 2-4 times per day. From the third day onwards, the baby may feed 10 or more times per day. From the third week onwards, as the flow of breast milk is established, the number of feedings may become regular, every three to four hours.
	Satisfaction Indicator - Babies usually consume 2-3 ounces of breast milk every feeding for the first few weeks, much more will be consumed later. Some babies nurse for 10 minutes on each breast, while some feed longer. A satisfied infant quickly falls asleep while feeding. If the baby has fallen asleep while feeding, gently break the suction by slipping a finger into the baby's mouth to release the suction. Never pull the baby off the breast without releasing the suction.
	Wetness Indicator - Normally, babies make at least six wet diapers per day with pale yellow urine and make several small bowel movements per day. During the first week of life, infants defecate at least twice per day. Others would move after feeding. As the babies get older, bowel movements may occur less often. Stools of breast-fed babies smell somewhat sweeter than those of formula-fed babies.
	Weight Indicator - FNRI says that, babies should double birth weight at six months of age and triples it at one year. Breast milk is adequate when the baby's weight steadily increases from month to month. FNRI is now adopting the International Reference Standard (IRS) as a reference value to assess the infant growth and development.

For more information on exclusive breastfeeding, you may write or call: Director Corazon VC. Barba, FNRI Building, DOST Compound, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila; email cvcb@fnri.dost.gov.ph; or call (02) 837-2934 or (02) 837-3164; or visit our website at http://ww.fnri.dost.gov.ph.