Q: WHAT IS BREASTFEEDING?
Breastfeeding is feeding an infant or young child with breast milk directly from human breasts and not from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a suckling reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Most mothers can nourish their infant (or infants in the case of twins and multiple births) by breastfeeding for the first six months or more, without the supplement of infant formula milk or solid food
Q: WHEN SHOULD I INITIATE FEEDING?
Breastfeeding should be started immediately after the baby is born. The naked baby (after he is gently mopped and dried) should be held by the mother, close to her breast, for skin-to-skin contact. It stimulates the smooth flow of milk and keeps the baby warm. It also helps create an emotional bond between the mother and the child.
Q: IS BREASTFEEDING THE BEST FOR MY BABY?
A mother’s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula feed. Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses and to help them fight off infection. Breast milk contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which aid the baby’s digestion. The amino acids in breast milk, the building blocks of proteins, are well balanced for the baby. These proteins best aid the baby’s intestinal tract.
The initial yellowish and thick fluid (colostrum) is rich in proteins and protective antibodies. The practice of giving ghutti should be discouraged, because the nourishment of the baby is delayed, increasing the chances of infection.
Q: WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING FOR THE MOTHER?
• Breastfeeding saves times and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula, and there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night.
• Breastfeeding also helps a mother bond with her baby.
• Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.
• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds gained from pregnancy.
• It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size more quickly and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
• Soon after your baby is born, breast-feeding helps your body recover from the stresses of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
• Breast-feeding also lowers your risk for developing breast cancer.
The longer you breast-feed, the more this risk is reduced.
• It may also lower your risk for getting diabetes later on.
• Breastfeeding also may lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST POSITION IN WHICH I SHOULD FEED MY BABY?
The mother should sit in a comfortable position, hold the baby in her arms and offer the baby her whole breast & not just the nipple. Keep your baby’s head and chest facing your chest so your baby’s body is aligned straight and his or her mouth is positioned right in front of your nipple
The baby should be fed from a different breast each time so that both breasts produce the maximum amount of milk. Burping the baby after every feed by holding her against the shoulder is advisable.
Breast feeding can be deceptively simple. Many new mothers have difficulty trying it for the first time. They often need help in positioning the baby correctly and also because they themselves are too tired after the birthing process to attempt breastfeeding.
In some cases, the baby has difficulty in latching on to the mother’s nipples. This could be because the mother’s nipples are bigger than the baby’s mouth, and the baby is unable to grasp at them. The mother should continue to try and breastfeed the baby nevertheless, because it is only the first time that it seems difficult. Once the baby starts suckling, the enlarged nipples become softer and smaller, and it becomes easier to feed the baby thereafter.
Q: DOES BREAST FEED AFFECT THE SEXUAL LIFE?
Having a baby almost always changes your sex life, no matter how the baby is fed. Recovery from childbirth takes time and being a new mother can be exhausting. While many women combine breastfeeding with an active and enjoyable sex life, some women find that their interest in sex is less while they’re feeding. Be patient.
Q: DOES BREAST FEED AFFECT THE SOCIAL LIFE?
Breastfed babies are very portable. You can take your breastfed baby along to many of your usual activities, or store expressed milk in the fridge or freezer for a babysitter to feed the baby.
Q: HOW IS BREAST MILK TO BE COLLECTED AND STORED?
Sit comfortably and gently massage your breasts. Using your thumb and index finger, press on the margins of the areola and collect milk in a clean & boiled katori. A breast-pump may also be used.It can be stored in a closed lid utensil for 8 hours at room temperature & for 24 hours in a refrigerator.
Do not warm the milk as it will kill the disease-preventing properties of the breast-milk
Q: CAN I BREAST FEED IF I HAVE CASEREAN SECTION?
Yes, you can. There is no contraindication so as to breast feed after the operation. Infact early feeding leads to adequate milk production and the mother child bond helps you get relieved of the pain.
Q: CAN I BREAST FEED IF I HAVE TWINS?
The more you let your babies suck there will be more milk production. Both the babies can be fed at the same time at separate breasts or can be fed alternately.
Q: WHAT IS THE MECHANISM BY WHICH MILK IS PRODUCED?
Your body produces the hormone prolactin, which prepares your body for breast feeding during pregnancy. After your baby is born and the placenta is delivered, prolactin immediately stimulates milk production.
The amount of prolactin you produce depends on how often you breast-feed: the more often you breast-feed,
The more prolactin your body generates, and the more milk your breasts make. This is why it’s so important to breast-feed every 1 to 3 hours in the first days after the birth.
Breast-feeding also stimulates your body to release oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract, bleed less, and return more quickly to its prepregnancy size. You may feel these contractions occur in the first few hours after birth, which are known as after pains. The contractions may be slightly uncomfortable and last for a day or two.
Oxytocin also stimulates the let-down reflex, which occurs just before or soon after feeding or pumping begins. Let-down is often described as a tingle or an ache. If this is your first baby, you may not notice this sensation for the first few weeks.
Your body’s hormones stabilize when your baby is about 3 months of age. At this time, you begin to lose the full feeling in your breasts between feedings. Your milk supply should remain the same even with this change.
The breasts first produce colostrum, followed by transitional milk after a few days.
Mature breast milk usually is produced about 10 to 15 days after delivery. This milk contains about 50% fat calories, 45% carbohydrate calories, and 5% protein calories. Most of the carbohydrate is milk sugar (lactose), which helps babies absorb calcium.
Q: WHAT IF I AM UNWELL, CAN I BREAST FEED?
In most of the common illness like viral fevers or gastroenteritis the mother can continue to breast feed. It’s only in conditions where mother is ill for a long period consultation with a doctor and his advice is essential.
Q: WHAT ARE THE COMMON PROBLEMS FACED BY THE MOTHER DURING BREAST FEEDING?
The most common problem faced by the mother is breast engorgement. Collection of milk in the breast leads to painful swelling and hardness of the breast so as to make it difficult for the mother to feed and the baby to suck. The milk collection can also lead to fever which subsides on its own. In such cases hot water bag is to be applied followed by manual expression of the milk. Proper emptying of the breast prevents engorgement.
The other common problem faced is sore nipples and cracked nipples. The improper attachment of the baby leads to painful sore nipples which can be prevented by proper placement of the baby. The improper latching of the baby leads to cracked nipples which is extremely painful. In these cases either the baby can be fed on the less painful nipple or application of home remedies like olive oil or fresh cream (malai) can be used for pain relief. Apply cool compress to your nipples, before nursing. This will help in alleviating sore nipple problem. Let the child suckle the nipple that is less sore as the first suckle is the most active. Keep switching sides with each feeding, thus avoiding pressure from the baby’s mouth on the same part of the breast
The mother may also face a problem while feeding her little one if she has improper nipples, either flat nipples or inverted nipples.
In both the conditions it becomes difficult for the baby to suckle. In cases of flat nipples the mother can be taught exercises to improve the nipple size. In cases of inverted nipples an expert advice is needed to learn the process of syringing.
Q: WHAT IF MY BREASTS LEAKS AFTER FEEDING MY BABY?
It is absolutely ok if the breast leaks. No medical help is needed just press hard your breasts with your elbows it will relieve your problem.
Q: CAN I GIVE GRIPE WATER OR GHUTTIS ALONG WITH BREASTFEED?
No, its use is not recommended because one of its content is alcohol compound which puts the baby to
Q. What should I eat during breast feeding? What if my milk is not sufficient for my baby?
A feeding mother can have a well balanced nutritious diet comprising of vegetables, meat, fish, rice, chapatti, milk, fruits and pulses are recommended in a small quantity as they are supposed to be a cause of indigestion.
Alcohol, smoking and tobacco in any form are strictly contraindicated.
Almost all mothers can produce milk in sufficient quantity for their baby. You must breast-feed your baby more frequently, which will increase the milk production. Keep on taking nutritious diet in sufficient quantity, and feed the baby on demand.
If the baby is passing urine 6 times in 24 hours and gaining weight adequately, then it denotes sufficient milk production.
Q: WHEN IS BREAST FEED STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED?
Breastfeeding is contraindicated if the mother is suffering from tuberculosis, HIV, leprosy or is on any treatment for cancers. Some medicines used in certain heart problems or in thyroid problems are also a contraindication.
CERTAIN TIPS OF BREAST FEEDING
• Check your nipples every day, if you see dry milk on them, remove them with a cotton and warm water and feed your child as soon as possible from that breast.
• Massage your breast firmly between and during feedings.
• If there is some swelling or pain in your breasts, apply warm, moist packs two or three times a day.
• Soak a towel in hot water and place it on the breast 10 minutes before feeding.
• Place the baby in different positions every time, this will ensure that all ducts are being used.
• Do not use soap, cologne, deodorant and powder on your nipples or breasts.
• Avoid anxiousness, unrest, unnecessary tension, and stress as they will hamper the breast milk production. These conditions severely affect insufficient milk secretion in the mothers’ breast Cumin is useful home remedy to increase milk production. Mix powdered cumin seed in water and make a paste. Gently apply it over the breasts. This helps in fast release of puss by killing germs.
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