Motherhood holds a special place in the life of women. Just after you have gone through the toughest process of giving birth to a life, you are faced with a new task – breastfeeding. While it comes naturally to most women, some of us do struggle initially. With breast comes the unique problems of engorged breasts, cracked nipples and erratic sleep schedule.
Benefits of breastfeeding we all know but just a recap for you.
Benefits for mother –
- breastfeeding helps in weight loss as it requires – 500 to 700 extra calories per day
- It secretes oxytocin hormone which helps reduce the uterus size to pre-pregnancy size and reduces bleeding after delivery.
- It lowers the risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
- It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Advantages for the baby-
- breast milk is the perfect mix of antibodies, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats and protein.
- It reduces the risk of asthma, obesity, type 1diabetes, respiratory disease, acute otitis media, SIDS, gastrointestinal infections.
- Has been linked to high IQ in children who are breastfed.
Postures for breastfeeding
The best position for you is the one where you and your baby are both comfortable. If you or your baby are uncomfortable, it will feel like a tiring job. Some common positions for breastfeeding your baby:
- Cradle position- Rest the side of your baby’s head at the angle of your elbow with their whole body facing you. Position your baby’s belly against your body. With free arm can wrap support your baby’s head and neck
- Football position- Support your baby’s back with a forearm to hold your baby like a football, supporting the head and neck in your palm. It’s also a good position if you’re recovering from a cesarean birth and need to protect your belly from the pressure or weight of your baby.
- Side-lying position– This position is great for night feedings in bed and if you’re recovering from an episiotomy. Use pillows under your head and Then snuggle close to your baby and use your free hand to lift your breast and nipple into your baby’s mouth
- Laid-back position- This position, also called biological nurturing, is meant to tap into the natural breastfeeding instincts you and your baby have. Lean back, but not flat, on a couch or bed to support your head and shoulders. Hold your baby so your entire fronts touch and help your baby latch on if they need it.
The common questions we face and answers to them :
- How much and how often?
As we know we should start as soon as possible and it is meant to be demand feeding. initially, it should be every 2-3 hours and by 2 months can be increased to 3-4 hours and by 6 months most babies feed every 4-5 hours. Let your baby eat until they are satisfied. This may be for about 15 to 20 minutes at each breast. Try to have your baby nurse from both breasts at each feeding. Make sure your baby finishes one breast before starting the other. If you are not sure he or she got enough milk, offer your other breast to see if your baby latches on again.
One primary concern of new mothers is that they are not producing milk, or enough of it, to nurture their little one. This shouldn’t be a cause for worry, as it takes three to five days for new mothers to start producing breast milk. And, for some women, it may even take longer. At first, your breasts will produce a thick, sticky liquid called the colostrum, which is high in nutrition and essential for the baby. However, colostrum is only produced in small quantities. At birth baby’s stomach size is very small, so colostrum is enough.
- How to know that breast milk is enough for your baby?
If baby Acts satisfied after each feeding and is gaining weight consistently after the first 3 to 7 days after birth. Also has about 6 to 8 wet diapers a day, and has about 2 to 5 or more stools a day. Stools can be 8- 10 times, after every feed or once in two days too. this means you both have worked very well and now you can relax and maintain the good work.
- How to increase breast milk?
Breast milk has high water content and requires high-calorie intake, so increase liquids in all forms including milk plus eat a balanced diet. As stress can affect lactation, ask for help from your partner or family if you feel overwhelmed.
- Special supplements during breastfeeding?
You need extra calcium besides calories so increase dairy products in your diet like milk, curd, buttermilk. If you don’t eat meat or dairy, you can get calcium from foods such as broccoli, sesame seeds, tofu, and kale. keep taking your prenatal vitamins, iron and calcium supplements.
- Why babies are hungry for breast milk earlier and formula-fed infants seem to be contended for long?
Breast milk is easy to digest than formula milk, So the baby gets hungry earlier than formula milk fed. I always compare breast milk to porridge – easy to digest and formula to chole batura(u will understand if you love Indian food )
- What can I do if my nipples get sore?
It’s easier to prevent sore nipples than it is to treat them. The main cause of sore nipples is when your baby doesn’t latch on the right way.
- To take your baby off your breast, release the suction by putting your finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth between the gums. Switch breasts and try to breastfeed again.
- Offer your baby the less sore of your two nipples first. Your baby’s sucking may be less forceful after the first few minutes.
- Change positions and Let your nipples air dry between feedings
- Wash your nipples daily with warm water. Don’t use soap or lotion that may contain alcohol. This can dry out your skin.
- Rub lanolin on your nipples to help soothe them.
- Avoid bra pads lined with plastic. Change bra pads between feedings to keep your nipples dry.
- Rub the hindmilk after feeding .it has healing power and no risk to the baby.
Closeup of infant girl nursing on mother’s breast.
- Engorged breast – what to do?
Breast engorgement means your breasts are painfully overfull of milk. This usually occurs when a mother makes more milk than her baby uses. Your breasts become firm and swollen, which can make it hard for your baby to breastfeed. Engorged breasts can be treated at home.
- soften your breasts before feedings by applying a warm compress for a couple of minutes before you breastfeed. Or use your handsor use a pump to let out (express) a small amount of milk from both breasts.
- Try to breastfeed more often. Pump your breasts if your baby won’t breastfeed. Take care to empty your breasts each time.
- If your breasts still feel uncomfortable after nursing, try a cold compress to reduce swelling. You can use a frozen wet towel, a cold pack, or a bag of frozen vegetables like lettuce or cabbage leaf placed in your bra. Apply it to your breasts for 15 minutes at a time every hour as needed. To prevent damage to your skin, place a thin cloth between your breast and the cold pack.
- Consult your doctor if the pain is still not relieved or you have a fever.
- What if I work or need to go out?
Breastfeed your baby before you leave for work, and every 3-4 hours at work (or however often you would normally feed your baby). You can pump the milk and keep the milk refrigerated and give it to the baby in your absence. It keeps for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. After work, breastfeed your baby as you normally would.
- What should I avoid while breastfeeding?
Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol. Don’t have more than a couple of cups of coffee, tea, soda, or other caffeine each day. Don’t have more than one alcoholic drink each day. Avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol less than 2 hours before feeding.
Some medicines can get into your milk. This includes over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions, such as antidepressants and birth control medicines. Don’t take anything without talking to your doctor first. Smoking also is bad for breastfeeding. If possible, avoid using bottles or pacifiers after birth. This can confuse your baby and make breastfeeding harder.
- Formula feed – when to give?
Some medical conditions of mother or baby like very low birthweight can make it necessary to formula feed the baby. Formula milk cannot replicate the benefits of breastfeeding but they are as near as possible.
- Do not feel inadequate, you and your doctor have decided what’s best for your baby, so relax you still have a lot to do when your formula feeds your baby.
- learn the exact proportion of formula and water. Maintain the ratio and follow the schedule advised.
Make sure you sterilise bottles and teats until your baby is at least 12 months old. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling sterilised bottles and teats.
Whether you breastfeed or formula feed burping or breaking wind is essential. Your baby may take short breaks during a feed and may sometimes need to burp.
When your baby has had enough milk, hold them upright and gently rub or pat their back to bring up any wind.
Breastfeed exclusively till six months of age and till one year at least and two years maximum. Once you overcome these challenges, you can now enjoy this wonderful bond and soon you can move on to weaning at six months of age.