Contrary to popular belief, it is a myth that bottle-formula and breast feeding are equally good. Mother’s milk is superior to any other milk as it has been refined by nature over millions of years to provide everything your baby needs. There are certain components in mother’s milk that help the baby fight illnesses while also promoting growth and development that simply cannot be replicated. Breast fed babies are less prone to illnesses and childhood diseases and frequently show faster growth and better brain development than those fed on store bought formula. The incidence of allergies such as eczema and asthma are also greatly reduced. In addition, breastfeeding is better for mums too, breastfeeding helps your body to recover and loose that excess weight!
If possible, the first feed should be given within a few hours of birth, however this is not always possible for a number of reasons so don’t get unduly worried if this is the case. Avoid giving the baby any pacifiers or water bottles in the early days of breastfeeding as this will confuse the baby.
Don’t try and rush breastfeeding, a baby can take 30 minutes or more on each breast, so make sure you are comfortable and relaxed. You can hold baby sitting upright in a cuddling position, or lying down on your side, whichever feels more comfortable. Make sure when you position baby the gums are on the the top of the areola rather than the nipple itself to reduce soreness.
There are no hard and fast rules about how often or how much you should feed your baby, just let the baby decide when feeding is required. Generally speaking babies will simply release the breast once they have had their fill.
It is extremely important for a breastfeeding mother to have a very healthy and balanced diet. A variety of foods are required during this period such as 5 portions a day of fruit and veg; rice, pasta or pulses for energy; wholemeal bread, vegetables, pulses, cereals and pastas for fibre (many mother suffer constipation and other bowel problems after childbirth); Proteins like lean meat, fish, eggs and poultry;two portions of fish per week (including some oily fish but no more than 2 portions); Dairy products such as cheese, milk and yoghurt for calcium.
Be very careful with consumption of caffeine and alcohol, the only safe amount of these is none at all! If you are a smoker (obviously it goes without saying you should give this up, if not for you then for your baby!) then you must wait at least an hour after your last cigarette before breastfeeding, if you don’t, the nicotine and other harmful chemicals will be passed to your baby via the breast milk.
Check this out too: Caring for newborn babies – Bathing and Changing
