Tips for Successful Breastfeeding
By: Tsou JinyeuTotal Views: 167, Word Count: 546,
Many first-time moms are anxious about breastfeeding. They have several questions in their minds such as - What is the right position? Is my baby getting enough milk? I am not lactating enough, what must I do? Breastfeeding can also be very exhausting and painful and hence many new moms give up breastfeeding quickly. In order to succeed with breastfeeding, I’ve put down some tips and advice that will help you enormously.
Here are the tips for successful breastfeeding:
- If you can, put your baby to your breast as soon as she/he is born. Research shows that skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby helps make breastfeeding easier.
- Keeping calm will help your milk flow better. If you feel tense, stop and take some deep breaths. Try to lie down minutes before the next feed.
- Perfect positioning is pivotal. Many women’s nipples are extra sensitive for a few days after birth. But poor latching can make things worse. Hold your baby so that she is facing your tummy to tummy. Make sure her back is straight. Her bottom is tucked in and her nose is in level with your nipple. Now wait until her mouth is wide open and then swiftly draw her towards your breast. If your baby is tiny or if you’ve had a C-section then holding the baby underarm might work better.
- How do you know if you’re doing it right? Your baby’s chin will touch your breast. Her bottom lip will be curled out and the muscles below her ears should move as she sucks and swallows. There should be more of your breast in her mouth below your nipple than above it. If her chicks are hollow, then the baby hasn’t got a mouthful. Rest assured you can’t run out of milk. If your baby’s feeding when she’s hungry, is content between feeds, wets several nappies a day, passes stool regularly and is gaining weight, then you know you’ve got it right!
- Breastfeeding makes you incredibly thirsty so make sure you consume enough fluids before and after you feed the baby. Eat a healthy and well balanced diet.
Advantages of Breastfeeding:
- Breastfeeding straight after birth releases oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to the non-pregnant state and prevents postpartum hemorrhage.
- Breastfeeding helps you lose your weight and gives improved blood sugar control and a good cholesterol profile, which means you, will stand a lower risk of heart problems.
- Breastfed babies pause while you talk and respond by sucking. Experts believe that this forms the basis of speech.
- Breast milk acts as a laxative and is rich in antibodies to help your baby fight infections.
- Breastfed babies have better immune systems and a lower risk of respiratory diseases, eczema, diabetes and diarrhea.
- Breastfeeding also helps you - you are less likely to get premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer or suffer hip fractures.
- When you breastfeed at night, the milk-making hormone prolactin has a calming effect to help you get back to sleep.
About the Author
Dr Tsou Jinyeu is a well known gynecologist and has been in this field since 1995. His special interests are – genetic and birth defects, high risk obstetrics, lupus in pregnancy, premature labour, premature delivery, triplets and ultrasound diagnosis. He is graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Nowdays he is working as a medical doctor at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health.
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