Breast Feeding Information For The New Mother
Author: Michael Brooks
Cementing the bond between a mother and child through breastfeeding
Breast Feeding for New Mother
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.
The First Breast Feeding
The process of latching can sometimes be an issue for new mothers. If the latch is painful then it is best for the woman to break the latch by placing a clean finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth. The baby can then relatch by pointing the nipple toward the back of the baby’s mouth. You can also try placing the base of the nipple as far from the bottom lip as possible. After feeding the nipple should not be flattened or compressed in any way, the nipple should either be the same as before feeding or long and rounded. Babies have a natural instinct to latch and should take to it instinctively.
The first time you feed your child you may experience a little discomfort. This discomfort should disappear after a few feedings. Breast feeding shouldn’t hurt. If the discomfort turns to pain you should consult your doctor as there may be another issue such as mastitis which is an infection in the tissue of the breast. Breastfeeding should be a comfortable experience that brings a woman her child closer to one another. It is best to breast feed as soon after the baby is born as possible. If the woman gives a natural birth then it is best for the woman to breast feed immediately after and delay any procedures that don’t need to take place immediately. This will create the miraculous bond between mother and child that will last a lifetime.
A mother should learn her child’s signs of hunger as early on as possible by keeping the baby in the room with her while she is in the hospital. It is not uncommon to initially breastfeed your baby every couple of hours. Babies will become more alert and active when they are hungry. They will put their fists to their mouths or move their head around searching for a breast, crying is a critical sign of hunger.
Many mothers find that they truly enjoy the process of breastfeeding their babies and look forward to feeding time as it reinforces the mother and child bond.
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