Cementing the bond between a mother and child through breastfeeding
There is a lot to learn when it comes to breast feeding for the first time. The process isn’t complicated. It is a natural instinct for both mother and baby. The breast is a large gland that acts as both the reservoir and pump for the production of milk for the baby. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to the quantity of milk produced.
Breast Changes During Pregnancy
Cells inside the breast called aveoli create milk as a reaction to the hormone prolactin. A hormone Oxytocin makes small muscles composed of myoepitelial cells contract around the aveoli to move milk through small tubes that lead to the areola and nipple. The network described is called a lobe and there are approximately 20 per breast ending in the nipple.
Baby formula manufacturers try to match the chemical makeup of human breast milk but it cannot contain all the hormones and antibodies that infants need. Breast milk composition changes over time to give the baby what it needs. During pregnancy and right after birth the breast milk is usually thick and yellow, this type of breast milk is called colostrum, it contains all the nutrients and antibodies that newborns need to build up their immune system. This colostrum (also known as beestings, bisnings, or first milk) is lower in fat and higher in protein than normal breast milk. Around about day three or day five it thins out and begins to look white. read more »
The following video illustrates the various techniques you can use in successfully latching your baby to your breasts.
Here are some techniques and tips to make latching-on easy and successful.
The five minute video provides a combination of instruction and demonstration of breastfeeding including correct latching on and positioning tips and guidance. Easy to understand and follow, it is a great resource for breastfeeding mothers for quick and easy access to accurate help should they need it when they return home after birth.
If these techniques above do not help, your best bet is to seek the help of a lactation consultant to identify specific breastfeeding problems you may be having and suggest other latching on positions that could solve your latching problems.
There are many advantages of breastfeeding that benefit both mother and child. There is no substitute for human milk.
As of lately there have been many clinical trials on the disadvantages of serving cow’s milk to babies. There are fewer complications associated with breast milk than with cow’s milk also. There is also the economical factor of not having to purchase formula or cow’s milk for the baby.
How long should you continue breast feeding?
That is truly a personal decision but it is recommended that babies are breastfed for the first six months even up to two years. So why is breast milk so beneficial for the baby?
Only breast milk contains colostrum which is essential for the baby to take. Commercial formula milks cannot simulate colostrum made by a mother. Colostrum is provided to the baby throughout the first few feedings and the colostrum contain natural antibodies and immune globulins which are responsible for keeping the baby free from illness for the first few months of your babys life.
When breastfeeding the baby’s feces tend to not be smelly and they don’t have any difficulty defecating compared to when a baby drinks only cow’s milk. read more »
Breast feeding is a great way to ensure your child gets all the nutrients and vitamins essential to healthy development. There is no substitute for the bonding that occurs when a mother breastfeeds her child.
If you are a mother that breast feeding her child, congratulations! You are providing your child the best start to their life that a mother can give.
Sore nipple while breast feeding?
If you are reading this article, you are either curious about sore nipples or you are looking for a way to ease those sore nipples. We will discuss ways to deal with this minor problem effectively.
When breastfeeding sore nipples can develop. There are several reasons this can occur. The most common reason why this happens is because positioning is not correct when the child latches. Should this occur evaluate the position you are using and the relationship of your baby’s mouth to your nipple. You can try different positions. The most common position is the cradle position where you cuddle your baby in your arms. You can try sitting and using a pillow to elevate or change your baby’s position. read more »
Do You Know that 80% of the world’s mothers breastfeed ?
Benefits of breast milk to infant:
Breast milk is provided at exactly the right temperature and it has all the correct nutrients your baby needs as your baby grows. Being the human milk is provided at the correct temperature it is easily digestable.
The first Breast milk
Colostrum or first milk is high in protein and is produced during pregnancy in the first two to four days of life prior to the milk ‘coming in’. This is rich in antibodiesand proteins to help protect your new baby from infections and build up the immune system.
An additional benefit is that Colostrum also aids in the smooth passage of meconium (sticky dark stool that has been in the bowels of your baby during pregnancy) through the bowels. read more »
