Some get scared of breastfeeding as they feel that it may be painful. Available are some nipcare ointments, which
help in easy nursing. These can be applied from early eighth month of pregnancy.
What is the right position for feeding? How often
should one feed? What is the right diet while feeding? How to express breast
milk? Let's find out!
Advantages of breastfeeding: When
it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk. Breast-fed
infants have lower rates of ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and
other medical problems than bottle-fed babies. Human milk contains just the
right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human
digestion, brain development, and growth.
More info on this can be found
here
If you are still skeptical, here
are 101 reasons to breastfeed.
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The small amount of colostrum
(the sticky yellow fluid that comes out of the breast before the milk “comes
in”) is perfect for his newborn system to digest, and provides important
antibodies. Colostrum is often called “baby’s first vaccine”.
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Newborn babies should nurse at
least eight times in 24 hours.
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Usually newborns nurse 10-12
times or more.
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Nursing often is the best way to
increase the milk supply.
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A mother’s breast is the best
pacifier for the baby when she is hungry, tired, bored, lonely and
scared.
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The food a mom eats gives
different flavours to the milk.
Positioning: It is usually recommended by doctors to sit and feed the baby. When we lay down and feed, there
is a chance that the milk may cause problems in the lungs of the baby. Taking a
back support while nursing gives comfort to the back bone. Interesting videos
about postioning can be viewed here. http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_video.html
How often: Usually babies feed at
least 8-12 times per day. They should be fed with a gap of 1.5 to 2hrs. Also
feeding them on demand is a good idea. Keep your finger near their lips. If they
start sucking it, it is a sign that they are hungry.
Diet while
breastfeeding: The amount of milk a mother produces also depends
largely on the quality of food. Food rich in carbohydrates like bread, fibre
cakes, wholegrain cereals, rice and pasta should be taken. Garlic is very good
for milk production. Atleast 600ml of milk is advised to be taken daily. Fluid
is very essential for adequate milk supply. Plenty of water (8 glasses per day)
should be taken. Also it is good if one glass of water is taken after each feed.
Click here for a sample meal plan http://au.health.yahoo.com/041101/25/1v0d.html
Contrary to this, some latest research also says that
mother’s diet has nothing to do with the quantity of milk. The best way to keep
up with sufficient quantity of milk is to nurse
frequently.
Expressing breast milk: Breastmilk can be
expressed or pumped and stored by refrigerating. This facility is a boon for
mothers who want to get back to work, but yet would like to give their best to their babies.
The following points should be noted:
Use sterilized bottles for storing
breastmilk. Never store milk from a bottle from which the baby has
drunk.
Freeze the milk if it is not being used immediately in the coldest
section of your freezer.
Never microwave breastmilk. Bring it to room temperature by keeping the
bottle in warm water.
Above all, do not feel guilty if
you are unable to breastfeed because of lack of milk. A mother's bond with the
child always will remain the same.
The best articles about breast
feeding can be read at
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/
