Breastfeeding is Best if You Feed Without Stress
Posted on March 2, 2008
» Filed Under Women's Health |
I am a mother of four, trained as a nurse and midwife. I breastfed all my children and enjoyed every minute. I never found it difficult but worry that today so many young mothers do. I am convinced that they are taught to accept breastfeeding as best, but get stressed even before they try, instead of regarding breastfeeding as the most natural thing in the world. How comforting it is for baby and mother, and how close you feel to that precious little bundle.
Why did I Breastfeed?
I never ever considered bottle-feeding and feel breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. I never expected problems and experienced very few.
I have strong feelings that breastfeeding has been made too clinical. Women don`t see this as easy or attractive. Too many controversial books are published which add confusion to what should be the most natural thing in the world. I am not denying that some women have genuine problems but feel these are in the minority.
I think stress and the worry accounts for 90% of breastfeeding problems
- Think positive
Don`t even start to think negative thoughts.
A baby when born has a very immature digestive system and only demands what the body requires. Mothers` body copes with this by producing small amounts of Colostrum for a few days. This is concentrated and full of immune enhancing nutrients. It is like the cream of the milk. You don`t get this with formula milk. - fact
A baby needs this colostrum as all mammals. You`ve only got to see lambs feeding. If a lamb is not able to feed on this colostrum it inevitably becomes sick.
I know this and experienced this, as in my younger days had and nursed some orphan lambs.
So What should we do?
Make yourself comfortable. This is more important as the baby gets heavier. I always made sure my arm was supported, as this was the way I fed. It came naturally I fed cradling my baby in the crook of my left arm.
Relax and don`t expect baby to latch straight away. They have to learn too although this is a quick lesson for them.
A baby will smell its mothers milk and often get a little agitated, don`t let this stress you out. Calm baby by stroking its head or cheek. Squeeze a little of the colostrum so that baby can taste it, he/she will then more readily open its mouth wide to suckle. Don`t worry you will get used to it and so will baby.
It is important to latch properly as this is what causes soreness. A baby has to take in the whole of the nipple. If this happens there will be no problems.
Timing is controversial or so it seems of late. I used to feed 3minutes each side in the early days, so that baby had all the colostrum. This worked for me. The advice is also to demand feed. I never ever worried about whether the baby was having enough or too much, I think you can tell this as you get to know one another. In the early days you may have to feed every two hours to encourage the milk to come in. This is OK but there should be no need for this after the first three days.
I never clock watched and always let baby dictate to me. They generally established their own pattern very quickly. I also used to start on one breast, give ten minutes and then if needed transfer to the other breast to finish. The first eight weeks are the hardest, but they all established their own pattern quickly. generally they fed four hourly and came off night feeds on their own. I`ve seen this repeated with my grandchildren when mum has decided to throw away the book. Perhaps this is a little harsh some books are very good, but be careful and take advice.
So how can you tell how often to feed. ?
A baby will not be contented if it hasn`t had enough.
Babies cry for other reasons such as dirty nappy, colic etc. Rule these out.
You can see if a baby isn`t having enough food. Sometimes in the early days they can become very tired excessively so and you do need to encourage them to feed. Don`t let a baby go over three hours in the early days.
You can also see if a baby isn`t having enough fluid because their skin looks very dry. If you are worried do seek advice from your GP or midwife.
There are products on the market that help with some problems like colic and I have a few tips and tricks which I will list later.
There are really nice electric pumps on the market now and I think they are a boon.
Expressing milk can give you a much needed rest on occasions and will enable your partner or relative to help out.
Expressing milk will also encourage the production of milk.
Some advantages.
Breast milk is the best food for new-born babies packed with all the essential nutrients required for their growth and overall development. No wonder doctors all over the globe vouch for the benefits of breast milk, both for the mothers and for their babies.
Mother’s milk consists of all the essential elements and in the right proportions that are required by young ones for adequate growth. Breast milk consists of lactoferrin that helps babies absorb the right quantities of iron and protects them from infections. It also contains certain hormones that help fight allergies and increase metabolism leading to proper digestion.
Breast Milk Provides The Ultimate Nutrition
Mother’s milk can never be a substitute for artificial feeds as it contains all the essential nutrients - fat, sugar, protein, vitamins, minerals and water - in adequate quantities as required for the growth of new born babies. The breast milk’s composition also changes according to the child’s nutritional requirements, helping the child garner an all round development, both mentally and physically.
Breast Milk Results In The Child’s Overall Growth
Babies fed with breast milk for even a little while are exposed to fewer ailments, as opposed to their counterparts. Breast milk provides a complete solution to all the nutritional requirements of a growing infant, helping him become stronger, more active, and intelligent. Breast milk contains ingredients like DHA (docosohexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid), which contributes to speedier brain and retinal development.
Breast Milk Augments The Child’s Immunity
Mother’s milk is packed with all the essential nutrients that a child requires for his development during his growing stage. Breast milk contains certain essential enzymes and antibodies that help immunize the young ones and helps keep infections at bay. In addition, breast-fed children run lesser risk of obesity in the future, as compared to the ones fed with bottled milk. In addition, babies fed with breast milk run lesser risk of sudden Infant death syndrome (SIDS), high cholesterol, and asthma in the first year of their life.
Benefits For Nursing Mothers
Breast-feeding requires burning of extra calories, helping the nursing mother shed pounds of weight they put on during pregnancy. It also helps the uterus get back in shape similar to prior to pregnancy. It lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Breastfeeding Helps Strengthen Emotional Bond
As breast-feeding requires close mother-child skin-to-skin contact and demands exclusive time to be spent by the mother, it helps strengthen her bond with her child, leading to the child feeling secure and comfortable.
Breastfeeding Benefits All
Breastfeeding is a simple and easy-to-do task, requiring no elaborate preparation. As breastfed babies are less prone to ailments, it helps reduce the society’s medical costs. In addition more babies being breastfed means lesser use of artificial feeds, thereby requiring lesser containers, and a healthier environment.
Thus, breastfeeding is essential for both the development of the growing child as well as for the health of mum. With goodness galore, breastfeeding is advisable to all mothers for the benefit of her child and self!
Some breastfeeding Pointers.
Some natural solutions to breastfeeding problems
Feed babies regularly to stimulate milk production. Use expressed breast milk to soothe cracked nipples (it’s also good for baby’s eye infections, cradle cap and dry skin!) Warm baths can help mums to relax and their milk to flow.
A warm compress applied to the breast can also help as can massage. Full, sore breasts or engorged breasts can be soothed with frequent feeding or expressing. Savoy cabbage leaves can be tucked inside the bra to reduce swelling and absorb heat. Put leaves in the fridge first, cut a circle out of the middle for the nipple and score lightly with a sharp knife. This releases the juices in the leaf which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Essential oils such as calendula and chamomile diluted in carrier oil can be used to soothe inflammation but care should be taken not to put them near the nipple or surrounding area. If baby develops sore buttocks, which is not usual when breastfeeding, but can occur later, use the white of an egg. Crack an egg and separate. Use this to smear on to the sore area. Keep egg in the fridge in between. Egg white protects and lowers inflammation. I`ve never seen anything work as quick on sore buttocks. Better than any cream.
Some Homoeopathic Remedies to Consider
Homoeopathic remedies have no side affects and are completely safe for Mum and Baby.
copyright February 2008 toddlersandmoms2b. com
Article Author :Ann_Moore
Submit your articles on dayseeker.com
Dayseeker.com is update daily.If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Last 10 posts in Women's Health
- Candida Help - 3 Tips For Chronic Yeast Infections
- Interesting Facts About Your Breasts
- Finding Shoes That Fit Means Healthier Feet
- Tips To Easily Reduce Cellulite With Diet and Exercise
- Overactive Bladder is Not Uncommon in Women
- The "Pill" Against Cancer - A Clearer Perspective
- Chronic Yeast Infections - Why You're Suffering With This Destructive Fungus
- Egg Donation, Part 1 - Qualifications for Donors
- Female Sexual Enhancement
- How Do I Keep My Breast Augmentation Private?
Related posts
» Filed Under Women's Health Tags: Tags:digestive system, dry skin, negative thoughts, Nutrition, Obesity, tips
Comments
Leave a Reply
