Do you know the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother? If you are looking for that information, then check this article! Happy reading!
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What are the benefits for the baby?
Do you know that breast milk is a kind of baby’s first vaccine? The explanation for this is that breastfeeding is the most complete food for newborns. Easy to digest, it promotes healthy growth of the baby and protects against dangerous diseases.
Since it is very nutritious and does not allow infections, exclusive breastfeeding is all that the baby needs in the first months of life. Even under hot and dry conditions, breast milk still satisfies all of a baby’s needs.
What’s in it for the mom?
For the mom, breastfeeding serves to bond with the baby, that is to say, it creates a moment of greater closeness between both.
The promotion of breastfeeding is very useful for enhancing milk production as well, so the mother must feel motivated to give it a try if there’s no contraindication.
It also has several advantages to women’s health: postpartum hemorrhage may be reduced in women and the risk of development of different cancers, as it includes ovarian, cervical and breast ones.
Tips to overcome common challenges
If the baby cannot suckle, the mother should express the milk and feed it with a spoon. Another recommendation is to pay attention to the baby’s position while breastfeeding to ensure that it is sufficient. It is also worthwhile to have an assessment by a health professional to establish the cause of the difficulty and get the best advice.
There are some actions that can solve insufficient milk supply, for example. The frequency of feedings is important to stimulate production. Therefore, the mother can increase the amount of breast milk she can feed, take care of the baby’s positioning and find a calm environment for this moment.
Another common challenge is caring for a woman’s nipples. The area may become more sensitive after giving birth, but it is not normal to feel pain. It is worth changing the position of feedings, starting breastfeeding with the less injured breast and rinsing the area with clean water to prevent infections.
Routine problems can be solved when the child is approximately six months old, when he or she sleeps most of the night without breastfeeding. To do this, the mother must perform actions that induce sleep and create a ritual that does not involve breastfeeding.
Check out the main myths on the subject
If you want to know everything about breastfeeding , you need to check out the main myths shared on the subject and the necessary corrections.
1. Breast size determines breastfeeding ability
There is no relationship between the size of breasts and the amount of milk produced. Frequency of feeds can stimulate production. In contrast, large breasts make it hard for the baby to position himself to feed.
2. Breastfeeding always hurts and is uncomfortable to the mother.
There may be slight discomfort initially owing to sensitivity in that part, but if the activity becomes always painful, then the indication might be that either the area is infected or suction is not properly provided. It is crucial whether the baby’s position at the time of feeding must be changed.
3. Breastfeeding women cannot use medications or consume alcohol.
This statement is also unfounded, because the impact on the baby is zero. Normally, the restriction usually occurs in more severe cases, such as cancer treatment.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is also not prohibited, but it depends on the quantity and the interval between consumption and breastfeeding. It is important to wait at least two hours before breastfeeding, and to prefer fermented options, such as wine.
4. Breastfeeding after pregnancy does not help with postpartum weight loss
A woman burns a considerable amount of calories because of breastfeeding. With proper dietary intake, she may also lose the pregnancy weight acquired while breastfeeding.
How helpful is family support for a breastfeeding mother?
Breastfeeding can be quite burdensome, especially for new mothers. However, exclusive breastfeeding is essential for baby health.
Support from family and friends is helpful in well-being and sharing experiences. Being mentally and emotionally strong, women can build a healthy journey with their babies.
What is the partner’s role in breastfeeding?
The father should be the main supporter in the breastfeeding journey. Therefore, it is important that he helps to promote a safe and comfortable environment, welcoming both mother and baby.
Some possible actions are:
- talk to the woman;
- value the woman’s dedication to breastfeeding;
- bring water to the woman;
- perform household chores;
- stay with the baby when he burps.
also read: Sleep during pregnancy: what to do at each stage of pregnancy?
