"Breast feeding with love leads to better child health".
Mothers milk contains almost everything a baby needs as food and is easily digested. On the whole babies who have been breast-fed are found to be healthier than babies fed on substitutes. One reason is that breast-feeding is so easy and simple that a mother can make very few mistakes that will make the baby's food disagree with him.
A baby enjoys breast-feeding. He feels safe and secure in his mother's arms, and sucking is a pleasant sensation to him.
Nursing the baby is of importance to the mother also. There is a physical sensation of pleasure, to begin with. Besides, the baby's sucking at the mother's breast makes her uterus contract, helping her body return to the normal condition after childbirth.
Needless to say breast-feeding is much more hygienic than substitutes. There is no danger of infection from unclean bottles, teats or water. Breast milk has a uniform consumption and a uniform temperature and is digested without difficulty, thus guarding against bowel disturbances.
Most mothers can nurse their babies, especially if they have been following the doctor's recommendations during their pregnancy to ensure an adequate supply of breast milk. Breast feeding with love leads to better child health. Even advanced countries today recognise the advantages of breast-feeding.
A baby is put to breast within six to eight hours after birth. For the first few days a thick yellowish fluid called colostrum comes from the mother's breasts. It contains protective substances (immune bodies) which help the baby in its early struggle for survival in a new world.
By the third or fourth day there is usually enough milk for the baby, but sometimes it takes a week or two for the milk to become well established. The sucking of a hungry baby stimulates further formation of milk and so always put the baby to the breast at feeding time even if there is not enough milk for the baby.
Position
For efficient breast-feeding both mother and baby should be in a comfortable position. The mother should be seated on a chair holding the baby in the crook of one arm so that the other hand is free to manage the nipple. Take care to see that you do not bury the baby's face in the breast as this will prevent him from breathing comfortably through the nose. Mothers who complain, 'I cannot feed my baby because he keeps turning away from the breast", must bear this point in mind.
Feeding time
To begin with, give three or four hourly feeds starting at 6 am. Do not worry if in the beginning baby demands his feed more often. The timings can be adjusted to suit baby's demands. Slowly he will settle down to a regular routine of feeding.
Six to eight hours after birth, put the baby to breast. To begin with, feed the baby for 3 to 5 minutes. Do not tire the baby. Progressively increase the duration of the feed to about 7 minutes at each breast and later to about to 10 minutes at each breast. The chances of the baby swallowing air increase if he sucks on an empty breast. While duration of feed is suggested as a guideline, it is not desirable to feed with a watch or a clock by your side.
Burping
Burping is very necessary. In the process of sucking the milk from the breast the baby usually swallows air. This air may go into the bowels and cause colic (pain). Hold the baby up as shown in the figure and gently pat the back. The baby will then bring up wind. Do this half-way through and after completion of feed. A little time and attention paid to this will be well worth your while.
Methods of increasing breast milk
Feed the baby from both breasts at each feed, starting with alternate sides. After the baby is fed express any remaining milk from the breasts gently with your hand to empty the breasts completely.
It is advisable for the mother to take a large tumbler full of water, fruit juice or milk just before feeding the baby.
In the case of mothers who may have difficulty in obtaining a free flow of milk, hot and cold water packs alternatively applied to the breasts for 5 to 10 minutes thrice a day or before each feed may help stimulate the flow of milk.
Gently massage with flat of hand, starting at the base and moving towards the areola (the dark pigmented area around the nipple). Avoid rubbing the nipples.
Adequate rest is very necessary for a mother who is breast-feeding her baby. An afternoon nap is a must.
Mental worry must be avoided at all costs. Worry may lead to drying up of milk, especially if the mother is worried about her baby not putting on weight. Motivation to breast-feeding and avoidance of emotional stress are important for successful breast-feeding.
Test feeding
It is possible to determine the exact amount of milk a baby gets from his mother in 24 hours. Weigh the baby with his napkin and clothes. Feed the baby for 20 minutes at the breast and re-weigh the baby with the same clothes on. The second weight minus the first will give the amount of milk taken by the baby. As the baby does not get the same amount of milk at every feed, good test feeding involves weighing the baby for all the feeds in 24 hours.
Complementary feeds
If the baby is not getting enough breast milk for his age and weight (as judged by failure to gain weight, crying either too soon after the feed or immediately, or if constipated) a suitable complementary food such as Amulspray or diluted fresh milk should be offered to the baby after each breast feed. Feed the baby from a bottle. Simple rules to follow are:
- A complementary feed must be given only after the breast-feed.
- It must not be made too sweet or else the baby will refuse the breast later
- Do not make it too easy for the baby to take from the bottle because then he will refuse to work at the breast.
Occasionally mother's milk is not adequate. Then it will be better to give bottle feeds and breast milk alternately.
Cause of failure at breast
To breast feed your baby successfully, you must prepare your breast for the function in the ante-natal period. One of the commonest causes of failure is painful, lumpy swelling of the breast within the first few days of commencement of breast-feeding. This is due to blocking up of the milk ducts by the thick first milk (colostrum). This makes the breast painful. Hot and cold fomentation will help considerably to permit secretion of milk.
Express the milk from the breast gently with your hand in order to empty the breast completely after the baby has taken its feed.
A fully gorged breast makes it difficult for the baby to get a good grip on the areola. This will lead to the baby munching on the nipple and thus causing bruising and cracking of the nipple. In order to avoid this, express a little milk from the breast before putting the baby to the breast so that he may be able to get a better grip on the areola.
The residual milk in the breast after a feed may cause back pressure and prevent further secretion of milk. This also is prevented if the mother takes care to express the residual milk after each feed.
Unless the cracks of the nipple are treated early, infection may set in leading to abscess. Should an abscess develop in one of the breasts it is better not to give that breast till the infection is completely cured. See your doctor immediately. Proper early care will help you considerably in continuing breast-feeding.