Feeding Baby |
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Feeding baby is an essential aspect of
giving baby a healthy foundation for growth and development. Choosing the best feed for your baby
The decision to breast- or formula-feed your baby should be made before
delivery. Mental preparation for breast-feeding is a key to successful
breast-feeding.
Breast-feeding is naturally the best for
your baby. However, be prepared for the initial few days as this can be
difficult and tiring for some mothers. Newborn babies normally require
very frequent feeds in the first few weeks of life until they establish
a more reasonable routine. A supportive spouse is definitely helpful.
Preparations such as nightclothes with front openings, nursing
brassieres and disposable breast pads would facilitate the feeding
process and minimize the discomfort.
Synchronize your sleeping hours with your
baby’s; this will help to overcome the tiredness during the initial
period when the baby feeds frequently. Adequate rest is important as
this ensure good milk flow.
Prepare a breast pump on standby to
relieve engorgement. First-time mothers whose ducts are not fully open
would be more prone to breast engorgement which is truly a most
uncomfortable experience for the mother. A tip to help to alleviate the
discomfort is to let the baby suckle as frequent as possible, followed
by expressing the residual milk from both breasts using a breast pump
after each feed. A hot drink or hot bath can facilitate milk flow;
these can be done just prior to a feed. Bear in mind that engorgement
may lead to breast infection and mastitis in the mother; hence,
preventive measures are important.
Breast feeding is the best for your baby,
however, if you are unable to do so, formula-fed babies thrive well
too. Consider partial breast-feeding as an option if you are not able
to fully breast feed your baby. What if I decide to formula-feed my baby?
Formula-fed babies thrive well too. You need extra preparations if you
plan to formula-feed your baby:
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