Mum’s Milk – Nothing better (0-6 months)
A baby’s birth weight doubles in about five months and triples by the time they are one. But for this to happen, enough of the appropriate nutrition is required. Breast milk is known for availing the baby this healthy growth rate.
Other benefits include:
Breast milk contains antibodies that help develop the baby’s immune system protecting him from many common ailments like diarrhoea, ear infections and pneumonia.
Breast feeding has been shown to reduce allergies, asthma, and eczema.
Unlike most formulas, breast milk contains nutritive value that contributes to brain and retinal development. Some studies indicate that breastfed infants learn more effectively and show a lower rate of obesity in their adult years.
It is served in the right temperature and is contamination free.
For the mother, breast milk production burns 200 to 500 calories a day, thus helping her to quickly return to her pre-pregnancy physique.
Breast feeding tips
1 Encourage frequent breastfeeding as much as possible.
2 Make sure that the baby is well . latched on and in the right position to breastfeed. That is, his lips should be on the areola (the darker skin area around nipple). Note that breastfeeding isn’t supposed to hurt.
3 Give both breasts at each feeding. Have the baby staying at one breast as long as he is actively sucking and swallowing. Give the second breast when he slows down or stops. Exhausting the milk from the first breast is a good rule that gives the baby lots of the fatty ‘hind-milk’.
4 Let the baby end the feeding. This may be by him falling asleep and detaching from the breast after a time of active sucking and swallowing.
5 Try and avoid pacifiers. This will encourage the baby to breastfeed more. If you are supplementing, even temporarily, you can give the supplement by spoon or cup.
6 Take plenty of fluids and a balanced diet.
7 Early days of motherhood can be a stressful time. Pay attention to your own need for rest, relaxation, proper diet and enough fluids.
Note
There may be instances where breast-milk is inadequate or unavailable. In this case, commercial, iron-fortified infant formulas with mashes of various food can provide the required nutrition.
Breast-milk facts
The newborn baby feeds eight to 12 times a day. As weight is gained, the baby takes more at each feeding decreasing his frequency of feedings in a day. A baby who is feeding appropriately will have at least six wet diapers a day, and grow as per the established growth curve.
Beer has been known as a milk production stimulus. However, research shows that babies don’t like alcoholic breast-milk, thus they drink less of it. This results in less stimulation to the breast meaning a decrease in milk production.
Stress can negatively affect milk production, but as implied, taking beer is not the way out. There are other interesting healthy ways to de-stress. You can solicit for help from your hubby or other family members so you can nap, or relax your standards for tidiness in order to eliminate unnecessary chores that drain you further.
Like beer, caffeine also stirs up milk production, but it also stimulates your baby. Caffeine stays in the baby’s system longer than in an adult’s, making your baby irritable, interfering with his sleep. A cup of coffee or a soda should not be a problem, five or more cups of a caffeinated beverage a day, can make their way to the baby via your breast, causing the uncalled for effects.
END:BL29/19