Getting a good start with Breastfeeding

*Breast feed your baby as soon as possible after birth. Preferably within the first ten minutes.

* Work with a lactation consult or nurse to establish the proper latch. A good latch will eliminate much of the soreness and pain that can be associated with breast feeding and will allow your baby to get milk more easily.

 

When the baby is latched on properly breastfeeding is not painful and will result in a better nursing experience for you and your baby. Make sure the baby isn't just sucking on the tip of your nipple. The baby’s lips need to be curved outwards, with all or most of the areola and nipple in the baby’s mouth.

 

*Avoid artificial nipples at least in the beginning. This includes pacifiers and bottles. You want your baby to get used to nursing from the breast and not from an artificial nipple.

 

*Drink a lot of water! At least 8 to 10 glasses of pure water each day! Be sure that you have water with you every time you nurse.

*Relax! Just relax and hold your baby. Forget about other responsibilities or chores. Focus on you and your child along with the nursing bond that you share. The dishes and laundry can wait. This is your time for you and your baby. Nurse often and for long periods of time.

 

*Sleep when your baby sleeps. Get rest often. Resist the urge to get everything done. You need your rest.

 

* Use support pillow to help support your baby and yourself. My favorite nursing pillow is the boppy.

 

*Before having your baby be sure to educate yourself as much as you can on breastfeeding. Recommending reading include: The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. William Sears and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League. Join your local La Leche League support group.

 

Interesting Breastfeeding Facts

*One Single Drop of this precious fluid contains over a million live white blood cells!! Breast Milk is a living fluid. In ancient times, it was called white blood because of its healing properties.

*Breast milk contains hundreds of special nutrients not found in infant formula along with anti bodies that help to build your baby’s immune system.

 

*Studies show that breastfeeding dramatically reduces the risk of SIDS.

 

Benefits for Mother

* Promotes emotional well-being-

Mothers who breast feed their babies have a lower risk of post partum depression and anxiety. The hormones produced by breast feeding help the mother to relax and feel more at ease. The main hormone responsible for this is prolactin. Prolactin is known as the "mothering hormone."

 

*Weight Loss-Studies also show that mothers who breast feed lose weight much faster than mothers who formula feed. The reason for this is because of the extra calories it takes to nurse a baby.

 

* More Economical-Depending on the type of formula it costs around $1,200 a year or more to formula feed your baby. A breastfeeding mother just needs a small amount of additional food which would cost about $400 extra per year. The difference is substantial.

 

* Reduces the Risk of Breast, uterine and ovarian cancer-Breastfeeding reduces a woman's risk of develop breast cancer by as much as 30 percent or more depending on many children she breast feeds and for how long. Studies show the longer the better in regards to lowering this risk. In addition to this, breastfeeding also reduces a woman's risk of other female cancers because less estrogen is available to simulate the lining of the uterus and the ovaries usually take a break for the first few months while a mother nurses.

 

Benefits For Baby

*Helps prevent allergies-

Babies who are exclusively breastfeed for the first six months usually have no food allergies. In addition to this breast feeding has also been shown to provide protection against environmental allergies and asthma.

*Better Brains- Studies show that babies who are breastfed have much higher IQ's. There is DHEA and special omega 3 fats found in breast milk that aid in brain development.

 

*Better digestion- Breast milk is much easier for babies to digest. It is thin like water and has a very sweet taste that babies love. It is also chuck full of the beneficial bacteria known as flora. This helps the immune system and the entire body to function better. Less diarrhea, and fewer gastrointestinal infections makes for a much happier baby. Stools of breastfed babies also have a less offensive odor. Breastfed babies also smell better.

 

*Better Oral Development- Studies also show that babies who were breastfed have better teeth and jaw development.

 

*Protection against childhood cancers- Babies who are breastfed have a much lower rate of developing cancer. This protection even extends into adulthood.

 

*Protection against adult obesity and diabetes-breastfed babies have more of the protein hormone leptin in their blood which is a substance that researchers believe plays a role in regulating appetite and fat.

 

Enjoy this special time with your baby. Please feel free to comment. I love to hear from my readers.

 

Sarahberra :)