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| Breastfeeding Everyone tells you that breast is best, but why? Breast milk contains all the nutrients baby will need. It contains antibodies which help baby to fight infections. It is more digestible, so baby is less likely to suffer from diarrhoea or other stomach upsets. Breastfeeding is good for mum too. It burns off about 500 calories a day by using your body's fat which was put on to help you breastfeed. Breastfeeding triggers the retraction of the womb. How Do I Do It? Your baby is born with a 'sucking reflex' which is especially strong in the first few minutes of life. Hold your baby with their tummy towards you and the body in a straight line. Brush your nipple against against their lips to encourage them to open her mouth. Make sure they take the areola in their mouth as well as the nipple otherwise the milk won't flow. Your breast holds two types of milk: foremilk which is thinner and quenches her thirst, and hind milk which is thicker and helps your baby to put on weight. Let your baby feed for as long as they want. If you think they have finished but has not yet released the breast, gently push your little finger into the corner of their mouth to break the suction. At the next feed, offer the other breast first. Breast feeding can bring up a few problems so I have listed some below. Engorgement Most common 3 or 4 days after birth. Your breasts overfill with milk, making them feel heavy and hard. Your milk production will probably settle down after a few days; try expressing a little milk before feeds. Blocked Duct Maybe caused by engorgement; try offering the affected breast first when baby's sucking is strongest, this may clear the blockage. Keep your nipples clean and wear a well-fitting bra. Sore Nipples Can be caused by baby incorrectly latching on. Try rubbing milk on the nipple after a feed. |
