|
Breast milk is easily digested and
contains antibodies as well as growth hormones that your baby needs for
the first few months of life. The World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends that babies be breastfed for their first two years. Talk to
your employer before returning to work to ensure that they will not be
upset by your ‘frequent disappearing acts’ when you need to express
milk.
You will find breast feeding beneficial for your baby and you too, as a
mother, will find it immensely fulfilling. Arm yourself with positive
thoughts before you begin.
Tips on Successful Breast Feeding
There are only three main principles to successful breast feeding and
here are the tips :
1. Feed early – within the first hour of life
2. Feed frequently – the breast works on a supply demand basis, thus,
the more milk is needed, the more milk will be produced
3. Feed properly – letting your baby to latch on properly is the key to
successful breast feeding, alternate his feeds between both your
breasts
Breast Feeding Diet
Take a well balanced diet to ensure good milk supply. You may need an
extra 300 to 400 calories a day. Make sure you have something from the
four main groups of food:
1. Starchy foods (bread, pasta, rice)
2. Milk and diary products (milk, yoghurt, cheese)
3. Fruit and vegetables
4. Protein rich food (meat, fish, beans and lentils)
Avoid these foods especially if there is a family history of allergies:
1. Caffeine (carbonated drinks, coffee, tea)
2. Alcohol
3. Garlic
4. Chocolate
5. Ginger
6. Cabbage
7. Brussels sprouts
8. Peanuts
Tips to Increase Breast Feeding Milk Supply
Adequate rest is important for good milk flow. In addition, the
following practices would be helpful :
1. Feed your baby on demand – you baby needs about 10-12 feeds per day
initially. The more your baby drinks, the more milk will be produced.
2. Feed your baby on both breasts – Nurse from each breast at each
feeding, complete nursing on one breast then offer the other to your
baby. At the next feeding, nurse on the breast that you ended with at
the last feeding.
3. Eat a healthy balanced diet – this help to produce good quality
breast milk.
4. Relax – Get plenty of sleep and rest. Sleep while your baby is
sleeping, get help from your spouse or family members to do the
household chores. A stressed mother will have low milk flow.
5. Drink plenty of water – Drink plenty to make your urine a pale
yellow color.
|
