 Dr. Jose PaulSenior Consultant Neonatology Aster Medcity, Kochi
The Importance of Breastfeeding
Breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for the
new born baby. Breast milk contains antibodies to protect your baby from
infections. Diarrhea, chestinfections, ear infections and urinary infections are
all more common in bottle-fed babies.
Research suggests that breastfed babies have better brain
development also. Children who were formula fed as babies are at greater risk to
develop eczema and diabetes and tend to have higher blood pressure than those
who were breastfed.
Breastfeeding is also good for mothers. It helps you to
lose extra weight gained during pregnancy. It can help to protect you from
breast and ovarian cancer and give you stronger bones in later life.
Things to Remember
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It is very important to put the baby to your breast
within 30 minutes after birth to stimulate milk production. Make sure you
feed your baby the first yellowish milk known as colostrum and breast milk
has many constituents which protects your baby from many diseases.
-
Breast milk is known as nature’s vaccine. Breast milk
provides all food and water that your baby needs during first 6 months of
life.
-
Exclusive breastfeeding means giving breast milk only
(no other milk, food or liquids, even the sips of water) except the
medicines prescribed by doctor.
-
Working mothers can also breastfeed exclusively
(Please seek advice from your health care provider).
-
Make sure you begin to breast feed immediately after
birth and help baby attach to your breast.
-
Within the first 30 minutes, good attachment helps to
ensure that your baby suckles well, ensure adequate milk secretion and
prevents sore and cracked nipples.
-
Though Breastfeeding should happen naturally with all
mothers soon after birth, many mothers need some kind of assistance . This
motivation and preparation should start well before the baby is born to
establish successful breast feeding.
-
There are many hormones in the mother that is
responsible for proper milk production. The main hormone involved is called
Prolactin. Ths hormone is produced by the Anterior pituitary gland situated
inside the brain.The pituitary gland gets stimulated when baby sucks the
breast and this stimuli reaches the gland ,which produces the hormones which
act on the breast tissues to produce milk .
How Often Should I Breastfeed?
Breastfeed your baby on demand, both day and night, at
least 8 to 12 times each day.Frequent feeding will help your body to produce
adequate breast milk.
How To Prevent Common Breastfeeding Difficulties?
-
If you develop cracked nipples apply the milk
expressed out after the feed. Do not use any types of creams or ointments
except when prescribed by a health care provider.
-
Feed frequently to prevent breast engorgement.
-
Let the baby finish feeding from one breast before
start feeding from other breast.
-
If your breast becomes painful or hot to touch, see a
health care provider.
-
Mixed feeding (combining breast milk with anything
else) is not a healthy practice for your baby before 6 months of age.
Things To Remember
-
When baby is 6 months old continue breastfeeding and
begin giving complimentary foods.
-
During breastfeeding eat three meals each day plus 2
small meals extra and drink 3 to 4 liters of water. No special food is
required to produce breast milk.
-
Do not stop breast feeding if the mother is having
ordinary illnesses such as cold, flu, sore throat, fever. Inform your doctor
that you are breastfeeding.
If you have trouble practicing exclusive breastfeeding, discuss your
situation with a trained counselor.
Tips For Working Mothers
Many mothers successfully combine work and breastfeeding.
By continuing to breastfeed after you return to work, you will:
-
Provide the best nutrition for your baby
-
Make it possible to keep breastfeeding when you are
together
-
Keep a special closeness to your baby even when you
must be away
-
Avoid the health risks associated with formula
feeding
-
Less likely to miss work, because breastfed babies
are less sick
-
Save money
Even if you plan to use an electric pump, every mother
needs to know the fine art of hand expression.
Storage Of Expressed Breast Milk:
Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room
temperature for up to 4hours.
Expressed breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with ice packs or
refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Can be stored in a freezer for up to 3 months. Do not forget to label the bottle
with date and time.
How To Use Stored Milk:
Keep breast milk in a warm water bath till it reaches
room temperature and use immediately. Do not heat milk directly.
Once thawed, the milk should not be kept back in the refrigerator.
World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding week is celebrated from 1st to 7th
August.
The theme for this year is “SUSTAIN BREASTFEEDING
TOGETHER”
Here it emphasises the importance of father's role in the
whole process of breast feeding. All mothers will need active support from the
father of the baby, also from other family members. So to sustain a sucessful
breast feeding, support from every family member is of great importance
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