By: Humayun Mujahid

The feeding of an infant with breast milk directly from human breasts is called breastfeeding.  A woman’s breasts have milk glands in them which get triggered when she is pregnant and the process of producing milk is set in motion. Babies have sucking ability which makes it possible for them to suck and swallow milk. Human breast-milk has been considered the healthiest form of milk for human babies. Unless the mother is taking certain drugs or is infected with tuberculosis or HIV, she’s advised by experts to prefer breastfeeding her child as it promotes health and that too inexpensively. Artificial feeding has been discouraged on serious grounds as it causes deaths from diarrhea in infants. The length of breastfeeding could be debatable a sector but there is no controversy on its significance.

It’s been recommended that babies should be breast-fed for at least 12 months, and afterwards for as long as the mom the baby mutually desire. You would hear many notions about period of breast-feeding from around, but the fact of the matter is no fixed rules could be set up as to when to stop breast-feeding. Generally and broadly speaking a baby needs breast milk for the first year of life, and then as long as desired after that.  For those touchy and overly fashionable women it’s vital to be aware of the benefits of breast-feeding. They must know that breast-milk is simply irreplaceable as it contains antibodies that can’t be engineered. It’s been observed that breast-fed babies turn out to be stronger than formula-fed babies and also they get fewer colds and sinus and ear infections. Experts on the subject have pointed out that this breast-fed lot also has less diarrhea and constipation. The chance of having allergies too is almost rare in its case.  Breastfeeding is, therefore, the most natural and beneficial acts a mother does for her baby.  It’s a symbol of protection of an infant at birth and a guaranteed medicine against a number of childhood diseases. The advantages are, in fact, incalculable.

Nevertheless, there is increasing tendency towards being deceived by the idea of using formula as its perfect replacement. And hence mother’s milk is often thought of as unnecessary.  Many ignorant and naive mothers are erroneously led to believe that formula can give all what’s contained in a mother’s milk.  They must not be oblivious of the fact that breast-milk is nature’s formula and is hence the one and only source for ensuring quality of life for infants, from childhood to adult life. It’s now a proven fact that its properties cannot be duplicated. It’s an amazing, natural occurrence that has remained in practice since the origin of life as a way to feed babies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both have recommended mother’s milk and have warned seriously against artificial feeding.

We have, quite painstakingly, sorted out a few major benefits of breastfeeding, hoping that young mothers will both be enlightened and feel inspired by them.

Benefits your child receives from breastfeeding

* Breast-milk has the most complete mix of nutrients & antibodies.
* Its composition ensures the infant’s individual growth on solid grounds.
* Incidences of vomiting and diarrhea are just rare if the child is being mother-fed.
* Breast-milk reduces the risk of  constipation and other stomach upsets
* Childhood diabetes is also prevented.
* Decreased risk of respiratory problem , pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections and blood poisoning
* It’s a sure protection against ear infections.
* It protects the child from allergies.
* No fear of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)! Statistics have revealed that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.
* Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)
* Facial structure development is promoted.
* Speech and vision are enhanced.
*  Breastfed infants develop higher IQ’s, and have improved brain and nervous system development.
* Nursing reduces risk of heart disease later in life.
* Breast-milk increases bone density.
* It also plays an important role in the emotional development of babies.
* Such babies enjoy better emotional relationship with their mothers.
* Risk of childhood obesity is also reduced

Source: humayunmujahid.com

2. The highest number of surviving children from a single birth is seven. Worldwide, there are currently three sets of surviving septuplets: one in Iowa, U.S.; one in Washington, D.C., U.S.; and one in Saudi Arabia.

3. Fewer than 10% of babies are born on their exact due date, 50% are born within one week of the due date, and 90% are born within two weeks of the date.  
 
4. Pregnant women at a healthy weight should eat an extra 300 calories per day. This amount is roughly equivalent to a serving of yogurt and half of a bagel.

5. While not all pregnant women will crave pickles and ice cream specifically, pregnancy cravings are rooted in the body’s extra need for minerals and comfort-inducing serotonin.

6. Despite several rumors to the contrary, microwave ovens do not pose a threat to an unborn fetus.

7. During pregnancy, a woman is more likely to experience bleeding gums and nosebleeds due to hormonal changes that increase blood flow to the mouth and nose.

8. Milk production and lactation can actually begin as early as the second trimester in some women.

9. Carrying a baby “high” or “low” is dependent on a woman’s body type and is not a reliable predictor of the baby’s gender.

10. Approximately 70% of expectant mothers report experiencing some symptoms of morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy.

11. Pregnant women usually experience a heightened sense of smell beginning late in the first trimester. Some experts call this the body’s way of protecting a pregnant women from foods that are unsafe for the fetus.

12. Many women experience thicker and shinier hair during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and consumption of extra vitamins. New hair volume gained during pregnancy typically begins to fall out after three months post partum.

13. While the feet do not actually get longer or wider during pregnancy, most women do gain up to half a shoe size, due to increased fluid volume in the foot.
 
14. In the United States, one of every ten births involves a teen mother. 

15. Three-quarters of a million teens between 15 and 19 become pregnant each year.

16. Very few teens who become mothers plan on doing so.

17. Out of all teen pregnancies, 82% are unintended. Teen pregnancy accounts for 20% of all unplanned pregnancies annually.

18. Two-thirds of teen pregnancies occur among teens 18-19 years old.

19. Teen mothers account for 11% of all births in the US.5. Out of all teen pregnancies, 57% end in birth.
Another 14% end in miscarriage.

20. Nearly a third of pregnant teenagers choose abortion.

21. Out of all teenage pregnancies, 29% are terminated by abortion.

22. Black teens have the highest teen pregnancy rate.

23. For young women age 15-19, black teens are most likely to become pregnant (134 per 1,000 women). Slightly lower rates occur among Hispanics (131 per 1,000) followed by non-Hispanic whites (48 per 1,000).8. Teens who become pregnant are less likely to attend college.

24. Although teenage mothers today are more likely to finish high school or earn their GEDs than in the past, pregnant teens are less likely to attend college than teens who do not become pregnant.

25. US teen pregnancy rates are higher than those of other developed countries. US rates are twice as high as in England and Wales or Canada, and eight times as high as in the Netherlands or Japan.

26. Teen pregnancy rates declined between 1991 and 2005 but are on the rise again.

27. The teen pregnancy rate reached an all-time high in 1990 with an estimated 116.9 per thousand and an all-time high birth rate of 61.8 births per thousand in 1991.

28. By 2002, the pregnancy rate had dropped to 75.4 per thousand – a decline of 36%. However, a December 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control shows a 3% increase in teenage pregnancy from 2005 to 2006.

29. Each year in the United States, there are approximately six million pregnancies. This means that at any one time, about 4% of women in the U.S. are pregnant.

30. Only 25% of couples actively trying to conceive will experience pregnancy within the woman’s first cycle. However, 90% of couples will achieve pregnancy within the first 12 months of actively trying.

31. Approximately 10% of pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Many miscarriages often occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

32. Each year, 1.2 million women in the U.S. choose to end their pregnancies through early termination.  
 
33.About 3% of all pregnant women will give birth to twins. This rate is an increase of nearly 60% since the early 1980s. However, 17% of pregnant women over 45 will give birth to twins.

34. Nigeria has the highest twinning rate in the world at around 4.5%. Some experts attribute this number to the large consumption of yams in Nigeria.

35. Just under 500,000 babies are born each year in the U.S. to teenage mothers.

36. After delivery, approximately 13% of U.S. women are diagnosed with post-partum depression.

37. The average size of a full-term baby in the U.S. is 8 pounds. This is an increase from an average size of 6 pounds 30 years ago.

38. The largest surviving baby ever born weighed 14 pounds, 13 ounces and was nearly 23 inches in length.

39. Less than 1% of women in the United States choose to deliver their babies at home, while 30% of Dutch women opt for home births.

40. Approximately one in three babies in the United States is now delivered by cesarean section. The number of cesarean sections in the U.S. has risen nearly 46% since 1996.

-more facts on (Facts about Pregnancy)