Breastfeeding is an important topic for every new mom. Your body will produce colostrum (pre-milk) for first few days after your baby’s birth. Colostrum is nutrient rich and has properties including antibacterial and immune-system-boosting substances. Colostrum may be either thick and yellowish or thin and watery. After 3 to 4 days of colostrum production, the breast of new mom starts producing milk. Sometimes milk production might take few more days’ time which is quite normal. Below are some breastfeeding tips.
Points to know about breastfeeding:
- Start feeding your baby within an hour of your baby’s birth.
- Your baby will want to feed on demand in every 1- 3 hours in a day and night for first few days of life.
- As your baby grows older, they can have more milk at a time, and the, therefore, interval will increase between feedings.
- Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is good for your baby. It helps to improve baby’s cognitive development.
- Exclusively breastfed babies since their birth is less likely to be ill in their first year of life. Breastfeeding helps to prevent illnesses including gastroenteritis, pneumonia and bronchitis and ear infections.
- Breastfeeding helps to develop a special bond between mother and baby. Breastfeeding keeps the baby healthy.
- It helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and reduces post- delivery bleeding.
- Breastfeeding also helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer, protect against ovarian cancer prior to menopause and minimize the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Start of breastfeeding
- Feeding can take 5 to 40 minute’s time; hence find a comfortable place before you start feeding your baby.
- If you feel distracted by noise, find a quiet place for feeding. You can switch on radio or television if you feel bored during feeding time. However, if your baby feels disturbed, then you should find an alternative.
- Hold the baby in a position that it should not cause your arm pain or a backache. You can take support from cushions or pillows.
- If latching hurts try to keep your little finger between your baby’s gums and your nipple. If your baby latches on properly he/ she can do the remaining.
- Keep a basket (containing a water bottle, snacks, plenty of burp clothes, diapers, wipes) near you while breastfeeding.
If you are a new mom, you may not be able to understand whether your baby is hungry or not. Here are the following signs which indicate that your baby is hungry:
- Moving their heads from one side to another
- Opening their mouths
- Putting hands in their mouths
- Puckering their lips
- Nuzzling against mothers’ breasts
- Stretching
