Breastfeeding 101
Some mums take to breastfeeding like duck to water, while other mums feel like a fish out of water trying to breastfeed! Here are some breastfeeding tips to help guide you along.
It is no secret that breastfeeding is the best gift you can give to your baby. According to experts, breastfed babies gain a natural immunity against common childhood conditions such as coughs, colds, skin rashes, allergies, diarrhoea, colic and intestinal inflammations. The benefits are not just applicable during the time they are breastfeeding but way into adulthood. Experts believe that breast milk can also help to prevent tooth problems, childhood cancers, diabetes and heart disease in later life.
Recent research supports the belief that breastfed babies are smarter and develop better psychomotor and social skills. Some scientists even suggest that breastfeeding protects babies from mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue because of their stronger immune systems.
Besides that, breastfeeding is also good for mummy. Baby’s suckling motion produces the hormone progesterone, a feel-good hormone which helps stabilise mummy emotionally and physiologically. As breastfeeding helps establish mother-child bonding, it prevents post-natal depression. Breastfeeding mothers also recover faster after childbirth, as breastfeeding helps to contract the uterus, which stops postnatal bleeding. You will get back to pre-pregnancy shape faster too, as the excess pregnancy fat gets transferred to your baby in the form of breast milk.
Apart from the health benefits, breastfeeding is cost-effective, as mums need not spend on milk formula and can save on medical bills with healthier babies. Mums also get to save on gym membership fees and costs of buying new clothes as she will be back to her old size soon.
In a nutshell, breastfeeding benefits both mother and baby. Yet, if you are a working mum, it may be challenging to continue breastfeeding. Research shows that women usually stop breastfeeding once they start work because of a lack of knowledge and practical advice on how to maintain their milk flow while at work.
Getting started
It is important to start breastfeeding early, usually within the first hour of birth. Your baby will normally be hungry then and will start suckling immediately but may fall asleep very quickly after a few tries.
The milk that you produce during the first few days is yellowish-white in colour and is known as colostrum. Colostrum is high in antibodies and is an excellent source of initial nutrition for your newborn. The first few days may be frustrating because your milk supply has not stabilised and your baby may be demanding for feeds very often.
It is important to keep breastfeeding during the first few days to stimulate more milk production. By the third or fourth day, your milk supply would have stabilised and your baby will be settling down into a routine of wanting feeds every two to four hours.
About breast milk
One of the most amazing things about lactation is that the breasts work on a demand and supply basis. Your baby’s suckling produces the hormones progesterone and estrogen that send signals to your brain that you need breast milk. The more your baby feeds, the more milk you will produce. Conversely, reducing baby’s breastfeeding time because you’re also feeding your baby water or formula milk will send signals to your brain that you need less milk. Your breasts will thus produce less milk over time.
There are three types of breast milk – colostrum, fore milk and hind milk. Colostrum, as mentioned earlier, is the nutritious ‘first milk’ that your breasts produce within the first few days after delivery. Fore milk is the thin transparent milk baby gets at the start of a feed, while hind milk is the thicker, white milk that comes after a longer feed.
Your baby needs to get a satisfying feed from one breast in order to get the full benefits of both fore and hind milk. Alternate your feeds between both breasts to avoid having one of your breasts significantly larger than the other.
In order to maintain a good milk supply, get good nutrition and sufficient rest. Breastfeeding mothers need an extra 300 to 400 calories, so you may feel hungrier and thirstier than normal. Ensure you have a balanced diet, with something from each of the main food groups that include starchy foods (noodles, rice, bread, pasta), milk and dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese), fruit and vegetables, protein-rich foods (meat, fish, beans, nuts, seeds and lentils).
Avoid caffeinated foods (such as carbonated drinks, coffee, tea) and alcohol. If you have a family history of allergies, also avoid garlic, chocolate, ginger, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts and peanuts.
Breastfeeding problems
If you face problems trying to breastfeed, do not worry as most of them can be easily resolved. Seek help from your doctor, other mothers who have breastfed before or reliable online sources. The most common breastfeeding problems include:
Sore/cracked nipples: This usually happens when baby does not latch on properly and is only sucking the tips of the nipples. Ensure baby has the whole areola in the mouth and find a comfortable position to breastfeed. Meanwhile, apply nipple cream to relieve the soreness and nurse baby on the other breast.
Blocked duct: A part of your breast feels hard and painful. Take a warm shower, massage the breast gently and express some milk to unblock it.
Engorgement: When baby is not nursing well and the breasts are over-producing milk. Place cold towel compresses or thoroughly washed and dried, cold cabbage leaves over your engorged breasts to relieve the pressure. Alternatively, take a painkiller if the pain gets unbearable.
Thrush: A fungal infection characterized by little white spots in baby’s mouth. Your infected breasts will also feel sore. See a doctor for antifungal treatment for both yourself and your baby as the infection can be passed around in a condition called ‘ping-pong thrush’.
Mastitis: An untreated and infected block milk duct. Your breasts will be very swollen and painful and you will experience fever and flu-like symptoms. See a doctor for antibiotics.
