Breast feeding- things to know

What is the safest food for a baby, easy to digest, always available, complete with nutrients, packed with immunity boosters, easy to store and requires no pre-preparation? It is mother’s milk. It’s the complete food for the baby.

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Breast feeding is the best thing that you can do for your baby and yourself. It protects her from all kinds of infections, boosts immunity and makes an unbreakable emotional bond with you. Studies suggest that a breast-fed baby has fewer chances of metabolic syndrome later in life.

So, if you are a first-time mother and are anxious about breast-feeding; trust your instincts and that of your infant! Babies have a suckling reflex and they will drink as much as they need to grow.  With rare exceptions, all mother can breast feed their children.

Its recommended to breastfeed the baby exclusively for 6 months. Breast feeding is essential not only for the baby but for your body too! It will prevent engorgement in your breasts. It will help to lose all the extra weight put on during pregnancy (you didn’t know that, right!).

Here are a few things you should keep in mind for best results:

1.       Keep the baby on your body soon after birth, ideally within an hour. That time babies are ready to latch onto the mother. Also, mothers secrete a thick yellowish liquid called colostrum which is loaded with immunity boosters. This is very important for the baby, do NOT miss it.

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2.       Avoid janam ghuttis, honey or water for the new born. Your milk is enough.

3.       Don’t worry if you feel that the milk is less. When the baby latches on the mother’s breast properly, milk is released. Its call the let down reflex.

4.       Relax. Sit in a comfortable position to feed the baby. Don’t bend down to feed the baby, instead prop up some pillows and get the baby up. Your back will thank you later.

5.       Just wipe your nipples with a clean cloth after feed. There is no need to wash them before every feed. They have some good bacteria for the baby.

6.       Sore nipples are not a necessity. If the latching position of the baby is correct you will not have a problem. You have to see a doctor or a lactation expert if the nipples are inverted inside. Sometimes they give a gentle tug to the nipples to make it easy for the baby to latch onto.

7.       Engorgement of breast happens and can be painful. You have to feed the baby to empty it out or express the milk regularly to avoid the condition. Take advice of a lactation expert if it becomes very painful.

You have to feed the baby every few hours, so take rest and eat healthy while baby is napping to keep up your strength. The baby is important, but so is the mother. You have to take care of your health too.

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Welcome to motherhood!