Is good for both the mother and baby in many ways. Breast milk provides the baby with the ideal nutrition required and also protects the baby from infections. It also strengthens the bond between the mother and child. For the mothers, breastfeeding is a satisfying experience.
About Colostrum: Immediately after delivery, breasts produce a clear, golden-yellow fluid called colostrum. Colostrum is a high concentrate of nutrients and antibodies that is essential for the baby. It has properties that are nutritive, protective and it also stimulates the baby’s digestive system. Breast milk is produced after a few days.
About Breast milk: Breastfeeding is a natural, physiological way of feeding infants and young children. Ideally, mother’s milk is just right for the baby. Formulas made from cow’s milk or soybeans, or even the touted “designer formulas” are only superficially similar. However, close the advertisements state these formulas are to mother’s milk, they can never become a true replacement. Breastfeeding comes naturally to mothers and should be easy and trouble free for most mothers. A good start helps to ensure breastfeeding is a happy experience for both mother and baby.
Breastfeeding Tips:
- Position yourself and the baby comfortably, before you feed the baby. Experiment around and find the best posture that makes both mother and baby comfortable. Remember, breastfeeding is not about a few minutes or a few days
- You can feed baby sitting down or even lying down, whichever suits you best
- When sitting down to feed your baby, prop yourself on a few soft pillows
- Successful breastfeeding is when ‘latching’ is successfully. Allow you baby to latch on to your breast and feed
- Sometimes, you may need to stroke baby’s cheek, to help him latch on. Stroking baby’s cheek makes him turn his head towards you and open his mouth. When baby has opened his mouth wide enough, put the nipple to the roof of his mouth. The moment your baby feels something in his mouth, he will grab the nipple and the areola around
- Baby’s are primed to suck and the moment the nipple is in his mouth, your baby will feed
- While feeding baby, sit back and relax
- You can hum a tune or even talk to bay, a good way to bond
- Take your prenatal vitamins
Getting help: Many new moms may find it difficult to breastfeed initially. Never hesitate to get help. You can ask the healthcare professionals at the hospital to help you. An older woman, your own mom, or aunt, or a friend who has been through motherhood and breastfeeding will be of great help. Remember, once you get the hang of it, breastfeeding becomes extremely easy.
How much is enough for my baby? Let you baby drink as much as he can. Babies know when to stop. They drink till they feel full and may fall asleep.
How many feeds does my baby require in a day? In the first few weeks after birth, your baby may require you to feed him every few hours. This is because breast milk is the only nutrition for your baby. As time goes, baby will have longer feeds spaced at longer intervals. Never hesitate to feed your baby as often as you can.
Points for a feeding mother:
- Never neglect health: Feeding mothers need to maintain good health. The best logic is to eat well, stay relaxed and sleep adequately
- Eat nutritious food: A nutritious, well balanced diet loaded with vitamins is recommended for feeding moms
- Rest well: Mother’s require a good quota of rest. Do find ways to get enough rest during the breastfeeding days
- Sleep when your baby sleeps: That’s a good way to get adequate rest, while enjoying enough energy to play with your baby when he wakes up
