Get Well Soon: Multiple benefits in breastfeeding babies

I have heard that mustard oil is the best for deep fried foods, especially for diabetics. Is it true? - Vijay S, Alapakkam 

For all those diabetics and those with hypertension or high cholesterol, the standard advice from doctors has always been ‘avoid oily food’. And this holds good, whether you are using mustard, coconut, sunflower or olive oil.  Irrespective of one being a diabetic or not, always restrict  your oil consumption to three or four spoons a day. This includes occasional indulgence in deep-fried products. For a diabetic, it is not just important to monitor the consumption of sugar, but also the calorie count, which increases with deep-fried food. - Dr RP Rajesh, Consultant Diabetologist, Dr Mehta’s Hospitals.

My daughter is three months old and she has been only breastfed all these months. When is the best time to stop breastfeeding? My friends say I can continue until the baby is two years. What are the benefits? - N Vanitha, Perumbakkam

Babies must be exclusively breastfed till they are six months. Beyond that, while there are other food supplements in the baby’s diet, breast milk is a must till at least a year. Breast milk or mother’s milk is abundant with antibodies and nutrients. The milk offers a protective shield for the baby and strengthens the immune system. Mother’s milk and it is easily digestible. There are studies that have found several other benefits of mother’s milk. There is scientific evidence that mother’s milk can protect the baby from diarrhoea and ear infections. - Dr Anitha Arockiasamy, President, Indian Home Healthcare