Tips for Successful Breastfeeding

Breast feeding the baby soon after delivery is a must. Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced by the mother is most important for the baby as it is rich in nutrients. Breast fed babies are more healthy and they seldom fall sick. Here are some tips for successful breastfeeding. In this article10 Tips for successful breastfeedingKnowing the basics of breastfeeding10 Tips for successful breastfeeding You should begin breastfeeding your baby an hour after delivery. Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced by the mother in the first 3 days, is very healthy for the child. The baby does not need anything other than breast milk for the first 4-6 months of life. Breast milk provides adequate nutrition and immunity for the baby. A baby who has only breast milk (no additional water), and urinates a minimum of 6 times in 24 hours is getting enough breast milk. There is no need to worry about frequent watery motions in an exclusively breastfed baby, as long as the baby is active and passes urine adequately. Your baby should be free to breastfeed whenever and for as long as she chooses. More suckling means more breast milk. Demand feeding alleviates breast engorgement and breast infection. It is important that the baby not only get foremilk (rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and proteins, that also helps quench the babys thirst), but also get hind milk (rich in fat and calories). Therefore, you should allow the baby to keep suckling from one side until he leaves the breast on his own, so that he gets enough hindmilk. Try to avoid bottle-feeding entirely. It is not necessary at all. Bottle-feeding may be a direct cause for breastfeeding failure. If the baby cannot tolerate bottle-feeding or artificial feeding, it can lead to a serious illness. Knowing the basics of breastfeeding Positioning: The baby should be unwrapped before being put to the breast. This will allow her the freedom to feel her mothers body, especially her warm breasts. She must be positioned such that she is in a semi-upright position with her stomach touching your stomach, her lower shoulder touching you, and her upper shoulder close to your breast. Latching on: She must take the entire nipple (the dark areola) in her mouth. If she is still very young and has a small mouth, it is more important that her lips cover the lower part of the areola than the upper part of the areola. It is her lower jaw that will do all the suckling. Timing and Frequency of Feeds: She must be allowed to feed as often and as long as she wants (including during the night). This will ensure that she gets enough hindmilk, and also a feeling of security. Ban on Feeding Bottles: Although you may have got many feeding bottles as gifts, it is important that you never use them. The use of feeding bottles could cause nipple confusion and result in breastfeeding failure.

Breast feeding the baby soon after delivery is a must. Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced by the mother is most important for the baby as it is rich in nutrients. Breast fed babies are more healthy and they seldom fall sick. Here are some tips for successful breastfeeding.

10 Tips for successful breastfeeding

1. You should begin breastfeeding your baby an hour after delivery.
2. Colostrum, the yellowish milk produced by the mother in the first 3 days, is very healthy for the child.
3. The baby does not need anything other than breast milk for the first 4-6 months of life. Breast milk provides adequate nutrition and immunity for the baby.
4. A baby who has only breast milk (no additional water), and urinates a minimum of 6 times in 24 hours is getting enough breast milk.
5. There is no need to worry about frequent watery motions in an exclusively breastfed baby, as long as the baby is active and passes urine adequately.
6. Your baby should be free to breastfeed whenever and for as long as she chooses. More suckling means more breast milk. Demand feeding alleviates breast engorgement and breast infection.
7. It is important that the baby not only get foremilk (rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and proteins, that also helps quench the baby's thirst), but also get hind milk (rich in fat and calories). Therefore, you should allow the baby to keep suckling from one side until he leaves the breast on his own, so that he gets enough hindmilk.
8. Try to avoid bottle-feeding entirely. It is not necessary at all.
9. Bottle-feeding may be a direct cause for breastfeeding failure.
10. If the baby cannot tolerate bottle-feeding or artificial feeding, it can lead to a serious illness.

Knowing the basics of breastfeeding

Positioning:

The baby should be unwrapped before being put to the breast. This will allow her the freedom to feel her mother's body, especially her warm breasts. She must be positioned such that she is in a semi-upright position with her stomach touching your stomach, her lower shoulder touching you, and her upper shoulder close to your breast.

Latching on:

She must take the entire nipple (the dark areola) in her mouth. If she is still very young and has a small mouth, it is more important that her lips cover the lower part of the areola than the upper part of the areola. It is her lower jaw that will do all the suckling.

Timing and Frequency of Feeds:

She must be allowed to feed as often and as long as she wants (including during the night). This will ensure that she gets enough hindmilk, and also a feeling of security.

Ban on Feeding Bottles:

Although you may have got many feeding bottles as gifts, it is important that you never use them. The use of feeding bottles could cause nipple confusion and result in breastfeeding failure.