When you become a new mother, along with the joy you feel, there are also small questions and sometimes worries that come to mind, right? Especially when it comes to breastfeeding your little one. Although breastfeeding is a very natural and loving thing, it takes a little practice for both mother and baby to get it right. It's like learning something new. So there's no need to panic. Let's talk about this slowly, in a way that you can understand, okay?
When will my milk start coming in?
This is a big question for many new mothers. "Will I have milk? Will the baby have it?" It's normal to think things like that.
First comes the precious milk called colostrum.
In the first few days after your baby is born, your body produces a special type of milk called colostrum . Some people also call this "first milk" or "foremilk." In fact, it is your baby's first 'superfood' and first 'protective shield.'
Colostrum is a liquid gold that is essential for the first few days of a baby's life, full of nutrients and protective against diseases!
Colostrum contains a large amount of nutrients and antibodies that instantly strengthen the baby's immune system and protect the baby from diseases and germs. It works like a natural first vaccine given to the baby. Not only that, it helps the baby's intestinal system to function properly and the first stool (meconium) to pass easily.
Some mothers' colostrum may be thick and yellow. Others may have a slightly thinner, lighter color. However, there is no loss in quality. Also, the rate at which colostrum comes in, that is, the flow, is a little slower. There is a very good reason for that. If a newborn baby suddenly gets a lot of milk, it can be difficult for him to suck, swallow, and breathe in between, right? So, this slow-flowing amount of colostrum gives the baby the opportunity to learn the suck-swallow-breathe pattern .
Mature Milk Starts to Come In
After about three to four days of colostrum, you will start to feel your breasts getting bigger, fuller, and maybe a little firmer. This means that your milk supply is increasing and the colostrum is gradually turning into mature milk . This mature milk is usually white, sometimes bluish-white, and a little thinner than colostrum. However, the appearance and consistency of this milk can vary slightly from mother to mother, from time to time, and even between foremilk and hindmilk during the same feeding. Don't worry about that.
What if the milk comes late?
If you suddenly feel like "Oh, I'm not getting enough milk yet," don't worry, okay? It's normal for some mothers to take 4-5 days or even a little longer for their milk to come in. Especially if you had a Caesarean section , or if you have a condition like Diabetes Mellitus , sometimes your milk may come in a little late. This is not a big problem most of the time.
However, the most important thing is to tell your doctor or family health midwife about this. Because even if the baby only has colostrum in the first few days, the doctor wants to make sure that the baby is getting enough nutrition, that the baby is not losing weight, and that there is a possibility of dehydration .
The best thing to do at times like this is to let your baby suckle as often as possible. The more your baby sucks, the more your brain is sent a signal that says, "Here's some milk, make more." It's like supply and demand. So, the more your baby sucks, the more your milk production will be stimulated.
When should I start breastfeeding my baby?
This is also very important. If possible, and if both mother and baby are healthy, it is best to start breastfeeding within an hour of birth. In some hospitals, this is called the 'golden hour' .
Why so soon?
Babies are very alert and curious for the first hour and a half to two hours after birth. That is the best time for the baby to learn to suckle. So by feeding right away, we can take full advantage of the baby's natural alertness and curiosity. This helps the baby to latch on easily.
Also, it is very important to place the baby on the mother's chest for skin-to-skin contact as soon as it is born. This keeps the baby warm, stabilizes breathing, makes the baby feel secure, and is a great help in starting breastfeeding.
After that, newborns spend most of the next 24 hours trying to sleep. So, it can be a little difficult to get your baby to latch on properly. It's not easy to get a sleeping baby to nurse, is it?
What else do you need to know to breastfeed properly?
We said that breastfeeding is something you have to learn. So, there are a few more little things to make this journey easier for you.
Correct Latch-on
This is one of the most important keys to successful breastfeeding. If the baby doesn't latch on properly, the baby won't get enough milk, and the mother's nipples can become sore and painful.
A good latch is:
- The baby's mouth should be wide open (like opening a jar).
- The baby should be taking in not only the nipple, but also most of the dark area around the nipple (areola) .
- The baby's lower lip should be turned outward.
- The baby's chin should be resting on the breast.
- It is bad for the mother to feel pain when the baby sucks (although there may be some discomfort in the first few seconds, the pain should not last long).
- If you hear the baby swallowing (perhaps slowly), that's a good sign.
This will be a little difficult at first, but try. If necessary, don't be shy about getting help from a midwife, nurse, or lactation consultant .
Baby's Feeding Cues
When a baby is hungry, he tells us. But you don't have to wait until he cries. In fact, crying is a late sign of hunger. There are small signals that the baby gives before that. We call these 'feeding cues' .
They are:
- Smacking or licking lips.
- They bring their hands to their mouths, trying to suck their hands.
- They move their heads here and there as if searching for the breast (rooting reflex).
- Getting restless, making small noises.
If you start breastfeeding your baby as soon as you notice these early signs, your baby will calm down and nurse well before he gets upset. This will make breastfeeding easier for both you and your baby.
How often should you breastfeed?
A newborn baby usually needs to be fed at least every 2-3 hours . That's about 8-12 times a day (24 hours). Some babies may want to feed even more often. We call this 'on-demand feeding' . Because a baby's stomach empties quickly, especially since breast milk is digested quickly, it's important to feed frequently.
You should continue to breastfeed at night, even if you have to wake your baby up to breastfeed. This will help your baby gain weight and keep your milk supply up.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
This is the biggest concern for many mothers. You can see the amount of milk when you're bottle-feeding, but you can't see it when you're breastfeeding. But don't worry, there are ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk:
- Baby's Wet Diapers: If the baby changes at least 6-8 well-wet diapers per day (24 hours) (the urine should be light yellow or colorless).
- Baby's stools: After passing black (meconium) stools in the early days, after about 3-4 days, yellow, slightly watery, stringy stools are passed 3-4 times a day or more. (It is normal for some exclusively breastfed babies to have stools once every few days, but this happens after a few weeks).
- Weight Gain: If your baby loses a little weight in the first few days (this is normal), returns to birth weight after about two weeks, and then continues to gain weight. This is something your pediatrician or family health worker will check regularly.
- Baby's behavior: If the baby is calm and happy after feeding, sleeps well, and is active when awake.
If you have any doubts about these signs, be sure to talk to your doctor or midwife.
Minor difficulties that mothers may face while breastfeeding
As wonderful as breastfeeding is, sometimes a mother can experience some minor discomforts. Knowing about them can make it easier to cope.
Sore or Cracked Nipples
It is normal for your nipples to feel a little sensitive and uncomfortable in the early days when your baby starts to suckle. However, if there is severe pain, cracking, or bleeding , it is not normal. Most of the time, the reason is that the baby is not latched on properly. If this happens, seek medical advice immediately or seek the help of a lactation consultant .
- After each feeding, apply a little of your own milk to the nipple and let it dry. This has natural healing properties.
- If your doctor recommends it, you can use a pure lanolin cream .
- Try changing your baby's position while breastfeeding.
Breast engorgement
In the early days of breast milk coming in, sometimes both breasts will be filled with milk, feel hard and painful, like rocks. This is called 'engorgement' . It can be a little uncomfortable.
- The best thing for this is to breastfeed your baby frequently.
- Before breastfeeding, applying a warm compress to the breast for a few minutes (such as a cloth soaked in hot water) can help milk flow more easily.
- After breastfeeding, applying a cold compress (like an ice pack or cabbage leaves in the refrigerator) can help reduce swelling and pain.
- If the breast is too hard for the baby to suck, remove some milk by hand expressing or pumping with a breast pump , and then give it to the baby after the breast has softened a bit.
Remember this: You can do this!
As a new mother, breastfeeding is a precious and loving experience for both you and your baby. The nourishment and security it provides your baby, as well as the bond it creates between you, are priceless.
Remember, every mother's breastfeeding experience is different. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Your journey is unique to you.
- There may be small problems and challenges at first. That's normal. Patience and practice are the most important things here.
- You never have to deal with these things alone. Never be shy about asking for help and asking questions from your doctor, midwife, hospital nurse, lactation consultant , or any other experienced mother you trust.
- Trust yourself that you can do this. Your body is designed to produce exactly what your baby needs, which is breast milk.
- While breastfeeding, don't forget to eat nutritious food , drink plenty of water , and get enough rest . Because only if the mother is healthy and happy can she breastfeed her baby well.
Good luck to you! Warmest congratulations on your new journey!
Breastfeeding, new mother, breastfeeding baby, colostrum, expressing milk, breastfeeding correctly, breastfeeding Sinhala
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