Breast Feeding

  Tips for Successful Breastfeeding

Breast feeding the baby soon after delivery is a must. Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced by the mother is most important for the baby as it is rich in nutrients. Breast fed babies are more healthy and they seldom fall sick. Here are some tips for successful breastfeeding.

10 Tips for successful breastfeeding

1. You should begin breastfeeding your baby an hour after delivery.


2. Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced by the mother in the first 3 days, is very healthy for the child.


3. The baby does not need anything other than breast milk for the first 4-6 months of life.  Breast milk provides adequate nutrition and immunity for the baby.


4. A baby who has only breast milk (no additional water), and urinates a minimum of 6 times in 24 hours is getting enough breast milk.


5. There is no need to worry about frequent watery motions in an exclusively breastfed baby, as long as the baby is active and passes urine adequately.


6. Your baby should be free to breastfeed whenever and for as long as she chooses. More suckling means more breast milk. Demand feeding alleviates breast engorgement and breast infection.


7. It is important that the baby not only get foremilk (rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and proteins, that also helps quench the baby's thirst), but also get hind milk (rich in fat and calories). Therefore, you should allow the baby to keep suckling from one side until he leaves the breast on his own, so that he gets enough hindmilk.


8. Try to avoid bottle-feeding entirely. It is not necessary at all.


9. Bottle-feeding may be a direct cause for breastfeeding failure.


10. If the baby cannot tolerate bottle-feeding or artificial feeding, it can lead to a serious illness.

Knowing the basics of breastfeeding
Positioning:
The baby should be unwrapped before being put to the breast.  This will allow her the freedom to feel her mother's body, especially her warm breasts.  She must be positioned such that she is in a semi-upright position with her stomach touching your stomach, her lower shoulder touching you, and her upper shoulder close to your breast. 
Latching on:
She must take the entire nipple (the dark areola) in her mouth.  If she is still very young and has a small mouth, it is more important that her lips cover the lower part of the areola than the upper part of the areola.  It is her lower jaw that will do all the suckling. 
Timing and Frequency of Feeds:
She must be allowed to feed as often and as long as she wants (including during the night).  This will ensure that she gets enough hindmilk, and also a feeling of security. 
Ban on Feeding Bottles:
Although you may have got many feeding bottles as gifts, it is important that you never use them.  The use of feeding bottles could cause nipple confusion and result in breastfeeding failure.

Water and Other Liquids in addition to Breast milk

Mothers are in always in a dilemma whether to give water and other liquids to the baby or not. They think that a baby needs water, but this is not so .For 4-5 months baby’s food should only be mothers milk and nothing else, not even water. Read here to dispel some of the myths surrounding baby’s diet in the initial months.

Should the baby be given water in addition to breast milk

While the mother is exclusively breastfeeding her baby, there is no need for water even on a very hot day.   This is because the first part of the mother's milk is watery, precisely to help quench the baby's thirst.  If the baby starts quenching his thirst with water, he is likely to suckle less, and thereby reduce the mother's milk flow.    n  Frequent urination(at least 6 times in a 24 hour period) in an exclusively breastfed baby indicates that he is getting enough fluids from the mother.
 

Should water or other liquids be given on a very hot day

Even in hot climates, breast milk contains sufficient water for a young baby's needs.  Additional water or sugary drinks are not needed to quench the baby's thirst. Since gripe water may contain alcohol, it is not advisable.
 

When should water be introduced

In a breastfed baby, if the baby is passing urine at least 6-7 times in a 24-hour period, and the color of the urine is not yellow, then there is no need to start water.  This is true even if solids have been introduced in the baby's diet.  The reason for delaying the introduction of water is that many infections and diseases are spread through water.  However, as the baby starts having less and less of breast milk, water should be introduced.  Water should be boiled and cooled, and can be given in a small glass; bottle is not required at any age.
 

Is breast milk the only food on the menu for 4-6 month old babies

From birth up to the age of four to six months, breast milk provides all the nutrition that a baby requires. There is no substitute for mother's milk. Cow's milk, milk powder solutions and cereal gruels cannot approach the nutritional value of breast milk.  Some doctors tend to prescribe fruit juice or soup from the age of 6 weeks.  This is not desirable. In the first four months of life, foods other than breast milk may not be tolerated by the baby, and may even be harmful.

 

Advantages of Long Term Breastfeeding

Long term breastfeeding or extended breastfeeding has lot of advantages. Generally, baby is on breastfeed for 6 months. Keeping baby on breastfeed for long term provides lot of health benefits. Read on to know more about the benefits of long term breastfeeding and points to be considered for keeping baby on long term breastfeed.

Many new mothers have one question in their mind and they are confused whether long term breastfeeding is good for the child or not. Long term breastfeeding means nursing your child even after he or she has completed one year of age. In many countries it is common and unquestionable to feed a child over one year. There are many benefits of long term breastfeeding and it is not only for the child but also for the nursing mother.

Duration of nursing of a child depends on the family and cultural traditions. Previously mothers used to breast feed their children to four or five years of age and that was considered normal also. However, today there are many limitations and most probably it is the decision of the mother whether she wants to feed her child after one year of age or not.

Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding

Have a quick look at the advantages of breastfeeding baby for longer time.

• Extended breastfeeding reduces risk of allergies, asthma, obesity and some types of cancer in the child.

• Breastfeeding makes the child healthier, stronger and at the same time smarter too.

• It helps in absorption of nutrients and supports brain growth.

• It helps boost up the immune system of the baby and keeps the mother healthy too.

• The child gets complete nutrition and antibodies that are helpful for the normal growth, immunity and energy.

• It soothes the child when he needs emotional support from his mother or gets hurt.

• When the child is sick or unwell, breastfeeding gives comfort and relief to the child.

• Helps the child to become more self confident and independent in future.

• Improves eyesight, dental health, gives better hearing and provides better digestive system throughout life.

• Breastfeeding helps the mother cover the blood loss during pregnancy and also helps in the shrinking of the uterus.

• It helps strengthen the bonding between the mother and the child.

• Breastfeeding also help women to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Should You Go for Long Term Breastfeeding?

If you are a mother of an infant and you are unable to decide whether you should go for extended breastfeeding or not, you should rethink and see whether it is right for you or not. Remember, it is completely your decision and if you find that everything is right and it is working with you and your child, you should continue with it.

Many doctors believe that long term breastfeeding is like an investment for the future of your child. Also, it depends on the comfort level of the mother and the child in addition to the health and emotional benefits for the child. There are other factors that contribute and support the decision of whether or not you should continue breastfeeding your child after he completes one year.

Take into Account

Here are some points which will help you to decide if you should consider long term breastfeeding.

• The physical health of your child

• Your health

• Emotional need of the child

• Your emotional need

• Emotional need of your partner

• Your stress level

• Economic and social circumstances

Go through the benefits and advantages of long term breastfeeding and take into account the points. These will help you take the right decision. Remember, it completely depends on you and your child and the final decision is definitely yours. The only problem that a mother faces is to wean an older child and it is a very difficult task.

How to Stop Breastfeeding

Weaning a child is not easy as the child may feel cranky. Weaning should be done gradually. This gradual reduction of feeds will also prevent engorged breasts thus reducing the discomfort to the mother. Weaning should not be done by compromising on the health of the baby.

Are there any considerations for weaning my baby

There are three things you should consider while weaning your child off breastfeeding: (a) your child's immunity (health); (b) managing your milk supply; and (c) emotional impact, if any, on the child.

 

Should my baby's health be a consideration for weaning

If your child is at high risk for eczema or asthma, you should plan to exclusively breastfeed your child until at least 6 months. If your child falls sick very easily, you may want to delay weaning your child off breast milk. Breast milk is nutritious, easily digested, and appetizing; your child may refuse other foods when he is sick but will probably be agreeable to having breast milk.

 

Can I decide to stop breastfeeding cold turkey

If you decide you are going to stop breast feeding your child all of a sudden one day (cold turkey), you may be inviting trouble.  Your breasts will continue to get filled with milk.  Since the baby will not be emptying them, they may get engorged and/or get infected, and lead to severe discomfort, at the very least.  The best way to manage your milk supply is gradually reduce your feeds.  You can do this by first dropping one feed at a time.  Then when you are on your last feed, you can reduce the duration of that feed gradually over a few days.  When you see your milk supply has almost dwindled, you can finally stop.  This is the best way to stop breastfeeding.

 

My child is not ready to give up breastfeeding

For many children, the longer they are breastfed, the more difficult it is for them to give it up, especially after they are a year old.  They like the protective feeling of being close to their mother, especially during the night feed.  Since breastfeeding for them is an emotional attachment, you should ensure that you gradually reduce your feeds.  They may cry a little at the time of the feed, but if you are there with them giving them all the love and affection they want, they will feel less insecure and upset.

When to Stop Breastfeeding

Mothers have many concerns regarding breast feeding. How long and up to what age they should breastfeed? Is breastfeeding useful in the second year? These are some of the concerns of breast feeding.Read here to know the answers.

Until what age should I breastfeed my baby

Exclusive breastfeed should be carried out until the baby is at least 4 months old. Between 4-6 months is the age when most doctors recommend that you start introducing other foods to the baby. But you should continue to feed your baby even after she has started on a solid diet.  It is not unusual for some mothers to breastfeed their babies well in to the second year. While this is a good thing, it may not be convenient or practical for most women. Nevertheless, babies should be breastfed at least until they are a year old.

 

I find my child is least interested in breastfeeding

Many children are ready to give up breastfeeding around the 9th month to one year mark.  This is because their stomachs get filled with other more interesting things.  And as their curiosity increases, they attention span for breastfeeding decreases.  Many mothers complain that their babies keep crawling away, and they spend their whole time dragging them back. If this happens with you, do not worry.  Try for a few days if the child will take to breastfeeding again.  (It is important that you keep trying because your milk supply may reduce).  If not, be happy that you managed to breast feed your baby  for as long as you did, and provided him with a great start in life.

 

How does breastfeeding help in the second year

Breast milk is an important source of protein and energy. It strengthens the child's immunity. As your baby grows older, and she learns to explore her world by crawling and walking, she becomes more exposed to germs and illness. Sick babies tend to lose their appetite. Breast milk is ideal for sick babies because it is nutritious and easily digested.