What could be easier and more natural than breastfeeding? This is how our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers fed their children. It is thanks to this physiological feature of women, humanity did not die of hunger, and continues to exist and develop. Around breastfeeding there are a huge number of myths, legends, stereotypes and misconceptions that give rise to more and more disputes, new questions: “How?”, “When?”, “Why?”, “Why?”. So in this article you will be able to answer for yourself many exciting questions about breastfeeding.
The stress a baby experiences at birth cannot be compared to any other critical situation in life. Therefore, the first thing he must feel and see in this new and unfamiliar world for him is the mother’s warmth, face and voice of the mother, in whose womb the baby lived and developed for 9 months.
A baby’s feeling of comfort and security from the first minutes of life can only be formed by contact with the mother, attaching to the breast in the first 30 minutes of life, putting the baby on the mother’s belly in the delivery room, that is, skin-to-skin contact for at least 60 minutes. However, early latching the baby to the mother’s breast immediately after birth and “skin-to-skin” contact promotes the process of milk formation, the infant’s body colonization with maternal bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus (strong immunity), the establishment of psycho-emotional contact between mother and child.
Breastfeeding Rules
While breastfeeding, a woman should follow the following basic tips.
- Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water before breastfeeding. It is recommended to squeeze the first drops of milk until a strong stream appears, and only then give the baby.
- You need to learn how to attach the baby to the breast correctly. In the first 3-4 days, you should feed lying down on the side to which you put the breast. With the hand that rests on the bed, the mother holds the baby and with four fingers of the other hand supports the mammary gland. It is necessary to tickle the baby’s lower lip slightly with the nipple so that its mouth opens wide, then the baby is quickly lifted so that it captures the entire nipple with its mouth. The baby should not only take the mouth of the nipple, but also the areola. This allows the milk to flow better from the breast into the baby’s mouth and prevents air from being swallowed.
- After feeding, let your nipples air dry and only then put on a bra with a pad. It is not necessary to wash the nipples with soap and water before each feeding because they dry out and at the same time the natural antiseptic lubrication of the nipples is removed. Cracks appear through the over-dried skin.
One of the most common breastfeeding fears among young mothers is not having enough breast milk. This can be easily checked. You and your baby are doing well if:
-the baby is gaining weight;
-when feeding, you can hear the sound of swallowing;
-the baby is soaking 6-8 diapers daily.
7 Tips For Successful Breastfeeding And Lactation
1. Believe in Yourself
It is often said that “milk starts in a mother’s head.” Your motivation and belief in yourself are the most important factors in successful breastfeeding. The other obstacles are easily overcome when a mom is convinced she needs to breastfeed and is prepared for the challenges.
2. Don’t get upset.
Stress is the biggest enemy of breastfeeding. Try to eliminate the sources of stress, and if this is not possible, learn to look for positive emotions in everything. Find some time during the day for your favorite activities, such as doing some breathing exercises, reading a favorite book or going for a walk. Avoid stressful thoughts. And before feeding your baby, don’t forget to be in a good mood.
3. Ask for help
Fatigue and frustration certainly won’t help keep your lactation high. Every chance you get, ask for help. Ask your mom, husband, or girlfriend for a walk with the baby or to help with cleaning. Take advantage of this time to rest, take a nap, or relax.
4. Feed on demand and don’t avoid nighttime feedings
Feed your baby when he wants and when you feel the need. The more you feed, the more milk is produced to adapt to your baby’s demands. Night feedings, although tiring, are largely responsible for lactation levels. Prolactin concentrations in the blood are high at night, and the higher the level of this hormone, the higher the level of lactation. If your baby is full and you find yourself with extra breastmilk, you have the option to pump and store it for future use. By using a GMP-certified facility like Milkify, you can freeze-dry your breastmilk, which ensures that it retains its nutrients and quality. This process not only makes storage easy and convenient but also extends the shelf-life of your breastmilk, allowing you to have a readily available supply whenever your baby needs it.
5. Feed from both breasts
Try to feed your baby from both breasts at every feeding. This will give your body the information it needs to increase your milk production. Do not let your baby fall asleep while breastfeeding. Try gently tickling your baby’s cheek to get him to eat more. If your baby is not emptying the breast, use a breast pump. This will stimulate lactation.
6. Don’t top off your baby with formula and don’t give him extra fluids
If possible, do not supplement your infant with baby formula. Each serving of formula is a missed opportunity to establish lactation. When the question arises, consult your doctor and don’t make any hasty decisions – only when it is really necessary.
A breastfed baby does not need to drink extra fluids. Breast milk is food and drink. If it is very hot, feed your baby more often. The first milk is always more watery and thirst-quenching.
If you start to notice that your baby is not getting enough breast milk, or you are not able to breastfeed all the time, you can introduce baby formula (such as HiPP or Holle) and try a combination feeding.
7. Drink plenty of fluids
During breastfeeding, a proper diet and the amount of nutrients in it are very important. During lactation, you should drink more fluids than usual, it is also useful to combine with herbal teas that stimulate lactation.
All Up To You
So, breastfeeding is the norm. There is nothing sacrificial or heroic about it. That’s the way nature intended it. A healthy mother, who has given birth to a child, can breastfeed him. How much, how long, how often – these are other questions. A woman’s body is subject to constant changes from birth.
How long and how much a woman will breastfeed each particular child depends on many factors: hormonal background, psychological state, health status, genetic predispositions. It is important to understand one thing – if a woman cans breastfeed, it is the best investment in the physical and psychological health of the baby.