Breastfeeding Your Baby.. Everyone tells you that breastfeeding is best - but why?
- It contains all the nutrients baby will need.
- Breast milk contains antibodies which help baby to fight infections.
- It is more digestible, so baby is less likely to suffer from
diarrhoea or other stomach upsets.
Breastfeeding is good for mum too.
- It burns off about 500 calories a day by using your body's fat which
was put on to help you breastfeed.
- Breastfeeding triggers the retraction of the womb.
It's also free! When you think of how much nappies are
going to cost, don't turn down a freebie!
How Do I Do It?
Your baby is born with a 'sucking reflex' which is especially strong in
the first few minutes of life.
-
Hold baby with her tummy towards you and with her body
in a straight line. Brush your nipple against against her lips to
encourage her to open her mouth.
-
Make sure she takes the areola in her mouth as well as
the nipple otherwise the milk won't flow.
-
Your breast holds two types of milk: foremilk which is
thinner and quenches her thirst, and hind milk which is thicker and
helps her to put on weight.
-
Let her feed for as long as she wants. If you think she
has finished but she has not released the breast (maybe she's fallen
asleep), gently push your little finger into the corner of her mouth to
break the suction.
-
At the next feed, offer the other breast first.
Problems
-
Engorgement - Most common 3 or 4 days after
birth. Your breasts overfill with milk, making them feel heavy and hard.
Your milk production will probably settle down after a few days; try
expressing a little milk before feeds.
-
Blocked duct - maybe caused by engorgement; try
offering the affected breast first when baby's sucking is strongest -
this may clear the blockage. Keep your nipples clean and wear a
well-fitting bra.
-
Sore nipple - Can be caused by baby incorrectly
latching on. Try rubbing milk on the nipple after a feed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tony Luck who runs a site offering advice to moms-to-be and new moms. Included are the fascinating Chinese Pregnancy Calendar which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a Conception Chart to tell you when baby is expected.
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