Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and wonderful things you can do for your baby and for you. It offers alot of health benefits for both of you and tailor made to suit YOUR baby’s needs. However, it’s not easy, it come with a fair few pitfalls and hardships along the way and sometime you may want to just give up. BUT there is hope, there is a light at the end of tunnel and the first couple of weeks are the hardest. There is very little in breastfeeding that cannot be overcome, if you want to.

Some health benefits (for baby):-

• Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
• The varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs
• Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis
• Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets
• Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicaemia (blood poisoning),
• Protection against allergies,   asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
• Reduced risks of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.
• Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, Cohn’s disease and ulcerative entercolits
• Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)
• Nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech,  straighter teeth and enhances vision.
• Breastfed infants develop higher IQ's, and have improved brain and nervous system development; IQ advantage of 10-12 points studied at ages 8, 12, and 18.  (Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development...there are specific proteins in human milk that promote brain development)
• The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood
• There are factors in human milk that destroy E-coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus.... and many others
• Less risk of childhood obesity

For Mum

• Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
• Reduced risk of anaemia
• Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
• Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation
• Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day.
• Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies
• Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
• Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of pounds per year)
• Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding

Frequently asked questions

Q1) How can I tell if my baby is latched on correctly?

A)This is often the No. 1 reason that new mothers have a hard time with breastfeeding — their babies aren't latched on to their breasts properly, which can be frustrating for the babies and downright painful for their mothers.

Here's how you can make sure your little one is latched on correctly every time:

Make sure your baby's mouth is opened wide and his or her tongue is down when latching on. Support your breast with your hand, positioning your thumb on top and your fingers at the bottom, keeping your thumb and fingers back far enough so that your baby has enough of the nipple and areola (the circle of skin around the nipple) to latch onto. Gently glide your nipple from the middle of your baby's bottom lip down to his or her chin to help prompt your baby to open his or her mouth. When your baby opens his or her mouth wide and the tongue comes down, quickly bring your baby to your breast (not your breast to your baby). Your baby should take as much of your areola into his or her mouth as possible. Make sure your baby's nose is almost touching your breast (not pressed against it), his or her lips are turned out (or flanged), and you see and hear your baby swallowing. (You should be able to tell by seeing movement along your baby's lower jaw and even in your baby's ear and temple.)Have a nursing session observed by someone knowledgeable about breastfeeding.

When properly latched on, you may have 30 to 60 seconds of latch-on pain (this is caused by the nipple and areola being pulled into your baby's mouth) then the pain should subside. It will then feel like a tug when your baby is sucking. If you continue to feel pain, stop feeding momentarily and reposition your baby on your breast. If you still feel pain during feeds even after repositioning, talk to your doctor or lactation consultant to make sure something else isn't going on, such as an infection.

Your baby will often give four to five sucks, followed by a 5- to 10-second pause. Your baby's sucks will increase in number as the quantity of your milk increases. As the milk flow slows, your baby's pattern will probably change to three or four sucks and pauses that last longer than 10 seconds.

Most babies will release the breast on their own. If your baby doesn't release your breast but the sucks now seem limited to the front of his or her mouth, you can slip your finger in the side of your baby's mouth (between the gums) and then turn your finger a quarter turn to break the suction. Then, try to burp your baby and switch him or her to the other breast.

Q2) When will my milk come in?

A) During the first few days after the birth of your baby, your body will produce colostrum, a sort of "pre-milk" or "practice milk." For some women, colostrum is thick and yellowish. For others it is thin and watery.

Colostrum contains many protective properties, including antibacterial and immune-system-boosting substances that are so important to your baby and a

ren't found in infant formula. The flow of colostrum is very slow, which allows your baby to learn how to nurse and also how to coordinate sucking, breathing, and swallowing.

After about 3 to 4 days of nursing, your breasts will start to feel less soft and more firm as your milk changes from colostrum to milk that looks kind of like skimed milk. Your milk will be transitional for the first 10 to 14 days, after which it's considered to be mature milk.

During this time, the amount of milk your body produces will increase, responding to your baby's nursing. Your milk supply is determined by the stimulation your body receives. In other words, the more you breastfeed, the more milk your body produces.

Mothers who deliver by Caesarean section (C-section) may find it takes longer for their milk supply to increase. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, a mother's milk may take longer than a few days to come in. This is perfectly normal and is usually no cause for concern, but make sure to let your doctor know. While babies don't need much more than some colostrum for the first couple days, the doctor may need to make sure the baby is getting enough to eat. It can help to breastfeed more frequently, putting the baby to the breast every 2 to 3 hours.

If your milk still hasn't come in within 72 hours after the birth of your baby, you should talk to your doctor.

Don't be alarmed if your baby drops a little weight at first. Babies should not lose more than 7% of their birth weight, stop losing by the fourth day, begin gaining by the fifth day, and be back to birth weight by no later than the fourteenth day

Q3) Does breastfeeding hurt?

A) The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Getting the position correct and training your nipples can be painful. You can sometimes crack and bleed. A good cream or gel can really help. Personally recommend Lansinoh. If you can make it through your first couple of weeks then you are golden and you will start to really enjoy it. If your baby is latched on properly, you may have 30 to 60 seconds of pain (from the nipple and areola being pulled into your baby's mouth), then the pain should subside. But if you continue to feel pain, stop feeding momentarily and reposition your baby on your breast. If the pain persists, something else might be going on.

If your baby consistently latches on wrong, sucking on your nipple without getting much of your areola in the mouth, you'll probably feel discomfort throughout each feeding. Some moms say it's painful or feels like a pinch as their babies nurse. And you'll probably have sore, cracked nipples in no time.

Consulting with a board-certified lactation consultant can help with these situations.

Q4) How do I store breast milk? 

A) You can freeze and/or refrigerate your pumped (or expressed) breast milk. You should store it in clean bottles with screw caps, hard plastic cups that have tight caps, or nursing bags (pre-sterilized bags meant for breast milk). It's helpful to put a label on each with your baby's name and the date indicating when the milk was pumped. You can add fresh cooled m

ilk to milk that is already frozen, but add no more than is already in the container. For example, if you have 2 ounces of frozen milk, then you can add up to 2 more ounces of cooled milk.

For healthy full-term infants:

• You can store it at room temperature:
• for 4 to 10 hours (at no warmer than 77°F, or 25°C)You can store it in the refrigerator:
• for up to 8 days at 32°-39°F (0°-3.9°C)You can store it in the freezer (be sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of the container or bottle to allow for expansion of the milk when it freezes):
• for up to 2 weeks in a freezer compartment located inside the refrigerator
• for 6 to 12 months in a freezer that's self-contained and connected on top of or on the side of the refrigerator and is kept at 0°F (-18°C). Store the milk in the back of the freezer, not in the door) or in a deep freezer that's always 4°F (-20°C)

To thaw frozen milk, you can move it to the refrigerator (it takes 24 hours to thaw), then warm by running warm water over the bag or bottle of milk and use it within the next 24 hours. If you need it immediately, then remove it from the freezer and run warm water over it until it's at room temperature. Do not refreeze it.

Once your baby has started to drink from the bottle, you should use it within 1 hour. If the baby doesn't finish the bottle, you can put it back in the refrigerator, then warm it and use it at the next feeding.

You may find that different resources provide different variations on the amount of time you can store breast milk at room temperature, in the refrigerator, and in the freezer. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or questions.

Q5) How can I increase my milk supply?

A) Your milk supply is determined by the stimulation that your baby provides while nursing. In other words, the more you breastfeed, the more milk your body produces. So, if you seem to be producing less milk than usual, you should try to feed your baby more often. You also can pump after nursing to help stimulate more milk production.

Stress, illness, and some medications can temporarily decrease your supply. Drinking water to satisfy your thirst and eating good, nutritious food can help. But also try to take some time for yourself each day, even if it's only for 15-30 minutes.

If your baby is less than 6 months old and you're away from your little one for long stretches during the day (for instance, at work), you should pump or hand express every 3 hours to maintain your supply. Your freshly pumped breast milk can stay at room temperature for 6-10 hours, or in the refrigerator for up to 8 days.  When keeping it in the refrigerator, never store it on the shelves in the door as this is the warmest part,  store it at the back.

If your milk supply still seems low and you're concerned, you may want to talk to your doctor, your pediatrician, or a lactation consultant.

It can be frustrating but try to nurse as often as possible to up your supply. Also try simple things like rest, a mars bar and a mily cup of tea. all seem to work wonders for a quick boost 

If I wait to nurse, will my milk supply increase?

Actually, no — it's the opposite. Waiting too long to nurse or pump can slowly reduce your milk supply. The more you delay nursing or pumping, the less milk your body will produce because the overfilled breast sends the signal that you must need less milk.

Once babies are back to their birth weight, they can sleep for longer stretches at night and will gradually lengthen the time between nighttime feedings. Letting your baby sleep for longer periods during the night won't hurt your breastfeeding efforts. Your baby is able to take more during feedings and that, in turn, will have him or her sleeping longer between nighttime feedings. Your body will adjust to the longer spacing.

Some moms wake during the night with full breasts and a sleeping baby. If that happens to you, pump for comfort and to help your body adjust to your little one's new schedule at night.

The interval for daytime feedings usually stays between 1 and 3 hours for the first few months and then may lengthen to 4 hours or so. Cutting back on feedings during the day can lead to a decreased milk supply over time.

If you follow your baby's cues and spread out the feedings as he or she wishes, your milk supply should remain at what your baby needs.

Mastitis and Blocked ducts :- 

Mastitis needs to be differentiated from a plugged or blocked duct, because a plugged or blocked duct does not need treatment with antibiotics, whereas mastitis often, but not always, requires treatment with antibiotics. A blocked duct presents as a painful, swollen, firm mass in the breast. The skin overlying the blocked duct is often quite red, similar to what happens during mastitis, but less intense. Mastitis is usually also associated with fever and more intense pain as well. However, it is not always easy to distinguish between a mild mastitis and a severe blocked duct. Both are associated with a painful lump in the breast. Without a lump in the breast, one cannot make a diagnosis of mastitis or a blocked duct. A blocked duct can, apparently, go on to become mastitis. 

As with almost all breastfeeding problems, a poor latch, and thus, poor draining of the breast sets up the situation where mastitis is more likely to occur.Blocked ducts

Blocked ducts will almost always resolve spontaneously within 24 to 48 hours after onset, even without any treatment at all. During the time the block is present, the baby may be fussy when nursing on that side, as milk flow may be slower than usual, probably due to pressure causing collapse of other ducts. Blocked ducts can be made to resolve more quickly by:

Continuing breastfeeding on the affected side. Draining the affected area better. 

Remember:

Continue breastfeeding, unless it is just too painful to do so. If you cannot, at least express your milk as best you can in the meantime. Restart breastfeeding as soon as you are up to it, the sooner the better. Continuing breastfeeding helps mastitis to resolve more quickly. There is no danger for the baby.

Heat (hot water bottle or heating pad) applied to the affected area helps healing. Rest helps fight off infection.

Fever helps fight off infection. Treat fever if it makes you feel terrible, not just because it is there.

A lump which isn't going away: If you have a lump that is not going away or getting smaller over more than a couple of weeks, you should be seen by a breastfeeding friendly physician or surgeon. You don't have to stop breastfeeding to get a breast lump investigated (Ultrasound, mammogram, and even biopsy do not require you to stop breastfeeding even on the affected side). A breastfeeding friendly surgeon will not tell you that you must stop breastfeeding before s/he can do tests for a breast lump.