Tips For Establishing breastfeeding Practices and to built relationship with your newly born with the help of these good feeding practices.
Getting Started
As a response to changing hormones, a women’s breast starts to prepare for breastfeeding. Due to development of glandular tissues, the breasts begin to increase in size during the pregnancy phase.
The first milk which might be creamy, yellowish or clear in color is termed as colostrum. Colostrum provides all the necessary nutrients and fluids that a healthy baby requires and will gradually turn into mature milk. Breasts might feel full, firm and sometimes uncomfortable, which is a normal thing. This thing settles and milk supply adjusts as per the baby’s needs.
Milk production will depend on frequent stimulation and drainage of your breasts. That is why breastfeeding is the most effective way to do this, in case this is not possible than try expressing your breast milk at frequent intervals. In the process of breastfeeding or expressing milk the body produces a hormone which is called oxytocin, to move the milk from ducts to the nipple openings which is termed as the ‘let-down’ reflex. There might be feeling of fullness or tingling sensation in the breasts, or it might feel that the milk is leaking from the opposite breast or changes in baby’s suck and swallow actions.
Note that: There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby like breast feeding prevents the child from various common infections like chest infections, gastroenteritis or various other long-term illness. It is also recommended to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Points to be considered as a tips for Establishing breastfeeding Practices:
- Place your baby directly onto your chest (skin-to-skin)
- Feed your baby within the first hour of birth
- Take help for attachment and positioning of your baby for breastfeed from your maternal and child health nurse
- It is required that babies are usually feed 8-12 times in 24 hours
- You and your baby’s togetherness will help you, to get to know about cues that when breastfeeding is needed
- Have patience. Breastfeeding takes time. Do not hesitate to ask for help
Things to remember while Breast feeding
- Make sure that you are in a comfortable position which is safe for you and your baby
- Try following your baby cues as they try to attach to your breast.
- Look to see that your baby is both sucking and swallowing during feed if not than ask your nurse
- Encourage your baby to stay awake and try ensuring that the baby is actively sucking the milk. Gentle stroking and skin-to-skin connection will help to connect more
- If the baby is having difficulty in sucking or swallowing, then try giving him/her expressed milk with the help of your nurse or midwife
- Do not feed any infant formula or other fluids unless advised by your doctor or medical professional
- Your health is important, take rest when you feel tired, eat and drink sensibly, drink plenty of fluids
- Massage your breast gently while feeding in order to ensure that the breast is well drained
- Allow your baby to finish drinking from one breast before offering the second one
Related Article:- Milk Blister or Blebs: Causes, Treatment and Prevention.
Signs that baby is receiving enough milk
- Check that baby is settling between the feeds
- After feed expect 5-7 heavy wet nappies every 24 hours
- Babies usually have at least one bowel action per day in the first 6-8 weeks after birth
- Baby stools change color after the first few days of birth, which is normal
- Baby starts to gain weight after an initial weight loss, by around 2 weeks of age the baby starts regaining weight. In the first three months the baby gains an average weight of 150 grams or more per week
HAPPY MOTHERHOOD!!
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