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Women's Health Back

01 Dec 2015

Breast Feeding

BREAST FEEDING

Breast feeding gives an emotional bonding between a mother and her baby in a very special way. It is important for every mother to have proper knowledge about breast feeding. Breast feeding should be started at the first hour of birth of the baby and should be given for 8-12 times per day for the first few weeks. The frequency decreases as the baby gets older. It is exclusively given for 6 months and with supportive feeds till one year of age. Breast feeding reduces the risk for respiratory infection and diarrhoea in babies. Breast milk has a balanced composition of sugar, water and proteins that are needed for baby growth and development. It helps mother in postpartum uterine shrinkage and decreases postpartum depression. It helps in weight loss as more calories get burnt out during breast feeding.

Proper positioning of mother while breast feedingThe classic position requires you to cradle the baby’s head with the crook of your arm. You should sit in a chair that has arm rest or a bed with pillows. Rest your feet on a chair to avoid leaning down towards the baby. Hold baby in your lap so that baby is lying on its side with face and knees facing you. Extend your fore arm down to the back of the baby to support the baby’s back.

How to handle a baby while feeding???·       
Ensure that baby is lactated with proper support for head and jaw. ·       
To prevent tongue thrust, mother can use a gloved finger and press down the tongue. ·       
It is advisable to try different nursing positions for some babies with difficulties.Cracked nipples

The main causes of cracked nipples are improper latching.
Using breast pump in a wrong manner could also be a cause for nipple cracking.

Remedies 
Try different nursing techniques.
  • Nurse on the normal side first as the baby will be gentle on the second side as it will be less hungry. ·       
  • Apply a cold pack on the affected area before nursing. ·       
  • Clean the nipples gently after feeding.·       
  • Apply an antibacterial ointment and clean it properly before next feeding·       
  • Breast feeding through cracked nipples will not affect the baby in any way.

What are the problems faced while nursing the babies???·       
  • Babies have problems in sucking when they have cleft lip and cleft palate and tongue tie (retracted jaw tongue). ·        
  • Premature babies have less buccal pad of fat and have difficulty in sucking. ·        
  • Babies with oral thrush can’t take feeds. 

How to increase the quantity of breast milk???
Balanced diet is very important for any lactating mother. Post pregnancy care is not much focussed in many cases. Family should take care of women’s health even after delivery which is good for both mother and baby. Foods like fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, garlic, cumin seeds and sesame seeds help to increase the quantity and quality of milk.

Breast feeding tips for working women
Breast feeding mothers can keep their milk supply by using a high-quality breast pump to extract milk during the workday. Babies will have the nutritional advantages of breast milk even when mothers are not there. Breast milk can stay fresh for three to four hours. Under refrigerated conditions breast milk can be stored up to 24 hours.  

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