Years ago, perhaps when you were a child, Breastfeeding was not very popular. At the time, uneventful pregnancy and childbirth were more important. Breastfeeding was not encouraged as it is in today’s society. Despite the breastfeeding benefits, doctors didn’t fully grasp how important and beneficial it is for a newborn baby. Because of this, and a few other reasons, there were many new mothers that went directly to feeding with the bottle, most often new mothers didn’t even try to breastfeed their new baby. But how beneficial is breastfeeding? This and other questions concerning breastfeeding benefits will be answered in this post.
How does breastfeeding protect and nurture my baby?
Breastfeeding helps protect and nurture your baby in innumerable ways. There have been many studies in regard to breastfeeding babies and the results have shown increases in brainpower within as little as six weeks of breastfeeding. The study has also shown a reduced risk of obesity due to the fact that breastfed babies are much less likely to overeat than formula-fed babies. Overall, babies that have been breastfed for roughly six months are also less likely to have breathing problems.
We now know how nourishing breast milk is for your baby. Breastfeeding is highly recommended by doctors as well as health care professionals. Further, it’s been shown that breast milk supports brain function as stated above and also provides valuable nutrients that would not otherwise be available. Breast milk is very special, every mother’s milk is slightly different, tailored to her own baby’s needs. Another important breastfeeding benefit is that a baby’s immune system is directly affected by the breast milk of his/her mother.
Breastfeeding reduces disease risk
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of your baby contracting infections and diseases such as gut infections, middle ear infections, respiratory tract infections, allergic diseases and diabetes, among others. It reduces not only the risk of these diseases and infections but also their severity. Note the breastfeeding has a long lasting protective effects, throughout childhood and adulthood.
Every feeding time is an extremely important time of the day, it allows the mother and baby time to bond to each other without any distractions. A new mother will really get to know her baby by breastfeeding and will feel much more at ease with him or her during breastfeeding.
Does breastfeeding induce my baby to sleep?
Yes it does! Milk induced sleep is one of the most wonderful things a mother will experience. It is an important breastfeeding benefit. Newborns love to be cuddled and they also love to eat. When you combine the two you get an extremely sleepy baby who will snuggle up in their mother’s arms long after the feeding is over. Breastfeeding will instill a naptime but you’ll find yourself continuing to rock your precious little one, it’s calming to mother as well.
What will I do if my baby’s latching causes me pain?
Babies have a built-in latching instinct, although some babies will not latch properly, causing pain to the mother. You’ll detect these problems early on and you’ll find that most hospitals have a nursing specialist that will help to determine if your baby is latching on wrong. If you continue to have problems in this area in the first week, you should consult with your doctor. With a little practice you’ll be a pro in no time! Hang in there, it’s worth it!
What do I gain by breastfeeding my baby?
Breast milk is not only good for your baby, but it’s also good for the mother as well. It has been stated that mothers who breast-feed their babies for at least six months have shown a dramatic reduction in the risk of various types of cancer including breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Another happy note… through breast-feeding, new mother will also lose the additional weight she gained while pregnant, and another benefit is that it will also help her uterus contract to its pre-baby size.
All new parents want to give their babies the very best and when it comes to nutrition, the very best “first food” for baby is breast milk.
Although you may experience a few challenges at first while breastfeeding; it will be the best experience a new mother will have. In fact, the importance of breastfeeding benefits cannot be overemphasized. There may even come a time later in life when you look back on this wonderful experience and wish that you had breast fed your baby longer.
What is the difference between breast milk and cow’s milk?
Breastfeeding benefits are many and readily available for both the baby and the mother. There are many substances in breast milk that can’t be found in cow’s milk. More so, there are fewer complications associated with breast milk than with cow’s milk.
It has been advertised time and again that it is best for the babies if they are breastfed for the first six months even up to two years. So why is breast milk so beneficial for the baby? First of all, only breast milk contains colostrum which is essential for the baby to take. Commercially-made milks cannot simulate the colostrum made by a mother. The colostrum contains natural antibodies and immunoglobulins that are responsible for keeping the baby free from illness for the first few months of its life.
Another advantage breast milk has over cow’s milk is that it allows the mother to save as cow’s milk can be expensive. The baby can better adapt to breast milk. Their feces are not smelly and they don’t have any difficulty defecating compared to cow’s milk. Breastfeeding has also been approved to be one of the family planning methods that a family can observe.
Which breastfeeding techniques are proper?
Since breastfeeding has been given so much importance, many women have been made aware. However, despite the awareness, many mothers still report of breast problems associated with lactation. These problems are most often than not, associated with improper breast feeding techniques. And without proper techniques, you cannot derive maximum breastfeeding benefits. In order to lower down the incidence of breast related problems due to lactation, it is important that mothers observe the proper techniques of breast feeding. Ultimately, both the mother as well as the baby will benefit from the proper observance of these techniques.
First of all, you need to prepare your breast for milk-production
There are various nipple exercises to perform in order to prepare your nipple to deliver the breast milk to your baby. One of these exercises would involve routinely pinching the nipple.
Second, keep the nipple clean before your baby latches on
What most mothers fail to realize is how to keep the nipple clean before the baby latches on to it for feeding. When you plan to breast feed, you should avoid using soap on your nipple. If this cannot be avoided, your nipple should be wiped using a soft cloth soaked in clean water to make sure your nipple is clean before your baby feeds from it.
Third, allow your baby latch on properly
Perhaps the most important step is to allow your baby to properly latch on to your nipple. Remember your baby has to latch on properly to obtain full breastfeeding benefits. You will know when your baby is latched on properly when your baby’s mouth covers the entire areola and not just the nipples. It is essential that your baby should latch on properly so that he or she can properly stimulate the “let-down reflex” of your breasts wherein the milk will go down the ducts and out your nipple.
To aid your baby in latching on properly, you should make use of their rooting reflex. This is manifested in the first few months of life. You stimulate your baby’s cheek, near their mouth using your nipple and their head will automatically turn towards the stimulation. Their mouth will open and be ready for receiving your nipple. Once you’re done, you can aid your baby to stop latching on by inserting a clean pinky finger into the side of their mouth and propping it slightly open. Your baby will stop sucking and you can remove your nipple.
Fourth, prevent breast engorgement and sore nipples
To prevent sore nipples and breast engorgement you have to monitor the amount of time your baby sucks with each nipple. It is usually advisable to spend 10-15 minutes each breast to make sure that the breasts are completely emptied of milk. This will prevent breast engorgement. The next time your baby feeds on your breast, let your baby feed from the last breast he or she fed on. This will completely empty the milk on that breast before you move on to the other breast.
How does breastfeeding relate to mastitis?
Mastitis is perhaps the most distressing problem you may encounter when attempting to breastfeed. You have been making it through the sleepless nights, the relentless feeding schedule, the diapers, the leaking… when all of a sudden you want to stop breastfeeding. Why?
Breast infection is the answer. One of your breasts is engorged. There is a slightly red patch which is painful to touch. When the baby feeds, it’s extremely uncomfortable. After the feed your breast feels sore. You dread the next feed… and then you begin shivering. Perhaps, you think you have the flu. You have hot and cold sweats. Perhaps, you have a thumping headache. You retire to your bed and feel utterly miserable. And you are deterred from reaping the full breastfeeding benefits. Visitors encourage you to give the baby a bottle so you feel like you’ve failed… but there is a solution.
In most cases, mastitis affects only one breast at a time. So what causes it?
Most often a new mum, whether or not she has previously breastfed, will suffer mastitis as a result of incorrect positioning or latching on of the baby. Consequently the milk is not properly drained from the breast and a milk duct becomes blocked. Other reasons include skipping feeds because you don’t want to feed in public or in front of visitors, or the baby is sleeping and you do not want to disturb him.
If you recognize the sensation of a blocked milk duct you may be able to avoid it progressing into mastitis by gently massaging your breast in the bath or shower. Massage downwards towards the nipple. You may feel a small lump which disappears as the duct becomes unblocked. You can also try feeding the baby more often and again massaging the sore area towards the nipple as the baby drinks. Another effective technique is to try expressing milk with the aid of an electric or hand pump. However, if all your efforts are in vain and the duct does not unblock mastitis will often follow. Mastitis is simply when the blocked duct becomes inflamed and possibly infected.
Can I breastfeed from the affected breast?
Current medical advice is to continue feeding from the affected breast even if it is infected. You’ll still get same breastfeeding benefits as from unaffected breast. The infection will not harm the baby. However, the last thing you may want to do is to feed from the affected side at all as it is so painful. This will only make things worse and you may end up with an abscess. If this happens you will need to have the abscess drained by a doctor.
If you are worried about your baby drinking milk from the affected breast a good alternative is to express and dispose of the milk and to feed only from the unaffected side. Your body will adapt. It will continue to supply enough milk for your baby from the unaffected breast. And as long as you express regularly from the affected breast the milk supply will be maintained. You produce breastmilk on a supply and demand basis so there will always be enough. When the infection clears up you can simply return to your usual feeding pattern.
Final thoughts on breastfeeding and mastitis
If you do get mastitis and it does not clear up within a few hours you will probably require an antibiotic so speak to your GP. Make sure to tell him you are breastfeeding so a suitable antibiotic can be prescribed.
To avoid a recurrence make sure you position the baby properly. Ensure he is not sucking on just the nipple but that he has a good mouthful of the areola also. Try to sit upright or if lying down do not lie on the breast. Make sure the baby is tummy-to-tummy with you, his nose and mouth facing the breast and that he is not creating a blockage with his chin or a hand or arms.
Mastitis usually clears up completely within a couple of days so put it in perspective. Don’t give up breastfeeding because you have mastitis. Instead ensure you don’t get it again; position your baby correctly, feed on demand and avoid skipping breastfeeds. It is hoped you’ll set yourself up to reap the full breastfeeding benefits outlined in this post.
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