From about 28th week, your gynecologist may recommend you to monitor fetus movement as a way to a
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Breast milk is the best gift a mother can give to her baby. It is the ideal food for the baby for the first six months of life, as it has the perfect combination of nutrients, minerals, and antibodies for the growth and development of the baby. The best part is that breastfeeding means that your baby will have the supply of perfect food, at the perfect temperature, whenever they demand it, free of cost.
WHO recommends Exclusive Breastfeeding should be initiated within half an hour of birth and continued for the first six months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and promotes normal child growth and development.
It is the first vaccination for the baby, as breastfed babies are less likely to develop infections because of the protective factors found in it. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of allergies in the baby along with a lower risk of diabetes, obesity and heart diseases in later life. Breastfeeding also ensures better mental development of the baby.
Further, breast milk is eco-friendly, most hygienic and have immense economic benefits.
Benefits for mother:
Breastfeeding is most beneficial for baby, mother, and society but it requires its own warm chain support, in the form of proper guidance and support to the new lactating mothers, by breaking the myths and detrimental practices in the name of modernization.
Breastfeeding is a skill that can be easily mastered. It requires little effort by the mother along with her determination to breastfeed her baby and once established it is the most convenient and effective way of feeding. The first thick yellow milk is called colostrum and is rich in proteins and antibodies. The earlier breastfeeding is initiated, it is more successfully established.
Proper positioning and attachment of the baby during breastfeeding is the most important factor in determining effective breastfeeding. Most of the problems are associated with improper attachment (latching). If the baby is well attached to the breast, the problems like sore nipples are less likely and the baby gets satisfied easily.
Signs of correct positioning:
Signs of correct attachment:
The confidence of the mother and a good attachment of the baby is the key to successful breastfeeding and a satisfied baby.
Different positions of breastfeeding:
When to begin and how often to feed:
Breastfeeding should be started within 1/2 to 1 hour of birth and first feed should always be breast milk (colostrum) Some babies are satiated in 5-10 min while some take longer. However, if breastfeeding lasts for more than half an hour or is shorter than 14 min there must be some problem. By the first week of life, most babies develop a pattern of 8-12 feeds in 24 hour.
Is the baby feeding enough:
The reliable signs of the baby getting enough milk are:-
Further, the key things a mother should ensure that the baby is feeding at least 8 times a day, the baby is alert and contented and passing stools normally. Tips to improve the breast milk supply of the mother:
Managing the problems of breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding, once established properly, is a wonderful experience both for the mother and the baby. But mothers face many problems during breastfeeding which may lead to stoppage of breastfeeding. Most of these problems are preventable or treatable.Timely assessment and counseling by a lactation consultant and boosting the mother’s confidence can easily rectify the issue:-
Mothers who feel they do not have enough milk production are advised to take lactational consultancy and support.
Preparing mothers for breastfeeding during the antenatal period
If a mother is properly informed and counseled about breastfeeding and its advantages in the antenatal period, the success rate of breastfeeding increases. Antenatal lactational counselling enhances the mother’s confidence and ensures early initiation of effective breastfeeding.
Mothers diet
A breastfeeding mother should get the right amount of calories to feed herself and her baby as both will take nutrients and calories from it.
References:
https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/exclusive_breastfeeding/en/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/problems-breastfeeding/
Breast milk is an ideal food for the neonates due to its following benefits:
Breastfeeding a baby requires appropriate positioning and attachment technique.
Once the breastfeeding is initiated the sucking of the baby can be noticed.
Bottle feeding is harmful and may hamper breastfeeding. Almost all mothers can produce enough milk for one or even two babies, provided the baby latches effectively and feed on demand.
But if you still feel the baby is not getting enough you first take lactational counselling as the disadvantages of top feeding are huge.
Reasons for less breast milk production can be:
Following ways can boost breast milk production:
Hyperlink to the “Mother’s diet during lactation” section
The baby should only be given breast milk for the first 6 months and weaning should start gradually along with breastfeeding from 6month onwards. Breastfeeding should be continued at least until 2 years of age of the baby. It can be stopped thereafter with a slow and gradual increase in complementary food.
A baby may take some amount of air along with breastfeeding. This may settle as gas bubbles in the stomach and causes discomfort and a feeling of fullness to the baby.
So, it is necessary for the baby to burp out this air after a feeding session. A baby can be made to burp by keeping the baby in the following positions and doing the mentioned maneuvers
Hold your baby firmly against your shoulder and rub her back with the holding her lower body with the other.
Place your baby across your lap with tummy-down and her stomach on one of your legs and head on the other. Hold the baby securely and rub her back.
A baby may take some amount of air along with breastfeeding. This may settle as gas bubbles in the stomach and causes discomfort and a feeling of fullness to the baby.
So, it is necessary for the baby to burp out this air after a feeding session. A baby can be made to burp by keeping the baby in the following positions and doing the mentioned maneuvers
Breast size has no link with breastfeeding. The fat in the woman's breasts determines its size. But this is not at all related to the quantity of her breast milk. So, there is nothing to worry about breastfeeding even if you have small breasts.
It is absolutely normal to have excess milk production in your breasts that can cause milk overflow. It can last until a few days after the pregnancy and resolves on its own.
However, if it continues and causes inadequate feeding of the baby, the mother should use breast pumps to take out excess milk or feed the baby completely until the breast becomes empty.
A breast pump is used to pump milk from the breasts so that it can be stored to feed the baby when required Like in cases of latching problems, office going mother, feeding in public places or feeding of twin babies.
As your maternity leaves are winding up, you might be struck with a thought that you’ve been breastfeeding your little one several times a day and you want to ensure breast milk benefit after you return from work.
Here are some tips for breast milk storage: -