The joy you feel when you hold your little one in your arms knows no bounds, right? But at the same time, many questions come to mind like, "How do I breastfeed my baby properly?", "Will my milk work for him?", "Is it normal for it to hurt when breastfeeding?" These are very common questions that a new mother has. So don't worry, today we will talk about breastfeeding in a very simple way.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding for your baby and you?
Although breastfeeding is a personal decision, even the world's leading medical experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. After that, breastfeeding with complementary foods for at least a year is very beneficial. Let's see why.
| Who benefits? | Benefits |
|---|---|
| For your baby |
|
| To you (to mom) |
How do you know if a baby is hungry?
Don't wait for your baby to start crying. Crying is the last sign that your baby is very hungry . Before that, your baby will tell you that he is hungry by doing things like:
- Licking lips, sticking out tongue.
- Turns head from side to side and searches for breast (Rooting).
- Putting your hand to your mouth.
- Opening your mouth.
- He's fidgeting and showing a little nervousness.
- They sniff things and clothes in their hands.
Remember, a newborn baby usually cries every 2-3 hours. This may change to every 3-4 hours at around two months and every 4-5 hours at 6 months.
Should we start breastfeeding? Things to know first
You can start breastfeeding your baby within an hour of birth. The first thing your breasts produce is a thick, highly nutritious fluid called colostrum . In medical terms, this is called colostrum . Although it is small in quantity, it is essential for your baby's immune system in the first few days.
After about 3 days, your milk will start to come in. Your breasts may feel a little tight, and you may even leak a little milk. This is normal.
Getting a good latch is very important!
If you experience pain while breastfeeding or your nipples are cracked, the main reason may be that your baby is not latching on properly. Let's see how to fix that.
1. Make yourself comfortable: If you're in a chair, sit up straight, with pillows for your back and neck.
2. Turn the baby towards you: The baby's entire body should be facing you. Keep the baby's tummy touching. Don't have to turn your neck to feed.
3. Stroke the baby's lower lip with your nipple: Gently stroke the baby's lower lip with your nipple. The baby will then instinctively open his mouth wide.
4. Offer the breast as soon as the baby opens his mouth wide: As soon as the baby opens his mouth wide, turn the baby's head to the side of the breast, allowing not only the nipple, but also a large amount of the dark area around it (areola) to enter the baby's mouth.
5. Check if you are holding it properly: The baby's lips should be turned outwards. You should feel a slight pull when sucking, but it should not be painful . If there is pain, place your little finger in the corner of the baby's mouth, stop the sucking, and try again from the beginning.
Some babies have a condition called Ankyloglossia or Tongue-tie that prevents them from sucking properly. If you suspect this, see your doctor.
What are the best positions for breastfeeding?
Any position that is comfortable and effortless for both you and your baby is best. Here are some of the most commonly used positions.
| Position | Description |
|---|---|
| Cradle Hold (normal position) | Breastfeeding with the baby's head tucked into your elbow and the entire body turned towards you is a method used by many people. |
| Cross-Cradle Hold | Hold the baby with the hand opposite the breast you are breastfeeding, and support the baby's head with that hand. Hold the breast with the other hand and bring it to the baby's mouth. This is very easy for newborn babies. |
| Football Hold | Hold the baby by the armpits like a football, and support the baby's back and head with your hand. This is very convenient for mothers who have had a cesarean section (C-section), twins, and low birth weight babies. |
| Side-lying | Breastfeeding while lying on your back in bed, with your baby facing you. This is a very easy position to breastfeed at night. This is also an easy position to use after a cesarean section. |
Is my milk enough for my baby? What should I do if I don't have enough milk?
This is a question that every mother faces. If your baby is getting enough milk, look for these signs:
- If you get a lot of wet diapers, about 6-8 per day.
- If you feel happy and calm for about 1-3 hours after drinking milk.
- If you are gaining weight appropriately (your doctor will check this).
If you don't have enough milk, what can you do to increase it?
As your baby sucks more and more, your body will produce milk to meet that demand. That's why we say to give formula as little as possible and give milk whenever your baby asks for it.
In addition,
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get plenty of rest and eat nutritious food.
- Reduce stress. Staying relaxed helps a lot with milk flow.
- Pumping frequently. Even after your baby has finished feeding, pumping a little will stimulate milk production.
If you think you're not making enough milk, definitely talk to your doctor. Sometimes the problem may be less obvious than you think. He or she will give you the right advice.
Common breastfeeding problems and solutions
The breastfeeding journey isn't always smooth sailing. Little problems like these can come up. Don't worry, there are solutions.
- Nipple pain and cracking: The main reason for this is that the baby is not latching on properly. Establish the latch as we discussed earlier. After feeding, open the nipples to dry. You can ask your doctor for a suitable ointment (lanolin cream).
- Engorgement: If your breasts are painfully engorged, apply a warm washcloth before feeding your baby. Apply a cold washcloth after feeding. Expressing a little by hand can also provide relief.
- Blocked ducts: If you have a lumpy, red, and painful area in your breast, it could be a blocked duct. This can be treated by massaging the area, applying heat, and breastfeeding frequently.
- Mastitis: If you have breast pain along with symptoms like fever and body aches, it could be a bacterial infection. See a doctor right away. You may need to take antibiotics. But in most cases, you can continue to breastfeed while taking the medication.
Do you need to be careful about what you eat and drink while breastfeeding?
Yes. What you eat and drink passes to your baby through your milk.
- Alcohol: If you drink alcohol, do not breastfeed until it has completely cleared from your body (usually 2-3 hours per drink).
- Caffeine: It's best to limit things like tea and coffee to two cups a day, otherwise it may disrupt your baby's sleep.
- Certain types of fish: Avoid eating large sea fish (such as tuna and mackerel) that are high in mercury.
Talk to your doctor about any medication you are taking before breastfeeding.
Take-Home Message
- Breast milk is the best and most precious gift you can give your baby. It provides many benefits for both you and your baby.
- Breastfeeding can be a little difficult at first. That's normal. It's something you have to learn. Be patient and try.
- Be very careful to ensure that your baby has a good latch on the breast. This is the cause of many problems, such as pain and cracked nipples.
- Whether you have insufficient milk supply, your baby is not gaining enough weight, or you have breast pain, don't be shy or afraid to ask your doctor for help with any of these problems.
- Your mental and physical well-being is very important. Eat well, drink well, and rest well. A happy mother is more likely to have a healthy baby.
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