WHY BREAST FEED
What happens in your baby’s first years has a big effect on how healthy he or she will be in the future.
Mum’s milk gives your baby all the nutrients he or she needs for around the first 6 months of life (and it’s important beyond 6 months too).
Universal breastfeeding comes free of a cost and decreases enormous economic burden to the individual and society.
Mother can carry the anywhere and there is no need of warming, contamination and no chance of improper dilution as it comes out of the breast tailor made at right temperature.
WHO/UNICEF in a joined mission pledged ,that exclusive breast feeding to be continued for First 6 months of Life , after which breast feeding to be continued for 2 years and beyond along with family food.
How Does Breast Feeding help For The Baby
- Breastfeeding also helps you and your baby to get closer – physically and emotionally. So while you are feeding your baby, the bond between you grows stronger.
- It helps to protect your baby from infections like pneumonia and diarrhoea .I nfant formula is made from cows’ milk and other ingredients.
- It doesn’t contain the ingredients that help protect your baby from infection and disease. Only your body can make those.
Babies who are NOT breastfed have an increased chance of
- Diarrhoea and vomiting and having to go to hospital as a result
- Chest infections and having to go to hospital as a result
- Ear infections
- Being constipated
- Becoming obese, which means they are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and other illnesses later in life
- Developing eczema
- Infant breast feeding may decrease Later on in life chances of asthma, coronary heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. Breastfeeding also significantly improves the I.Q in adult
- Early skin to skin contact with the Baby helps contraction of the uterus after delivery and reduce risk of bleeding.
- It naturally uses up about 500 extra calories a day so mums who breastfeed may find it easier to lose their pregnancy weight
- It lowers the risk of mum getting breast cancer and may reduce your risk of getting ovarian-cancer
- May also help in spacing between pregnancy acting as a natural contraceptive.
- First hour after birth is a great time to start your first breastfeed. Holding your baby against your skin straight after birth will calm your baby. It will also steady baby’s breathing and help to keep warm.
- Your baby will be happier if you keep him near you and feed him whenever hungry. This will remind your body to produce plenty of milk.
- It is fine to feed when your baby needs comforting, when your breasts feel full or when you just want to sit down and have a rest. It is not possible to over feed a breastfed baby.
- It’s worth getting comfortable before a feed, although it’s ok to change your position slightly once your baby is attached to your breast.
- Your baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath the nipple. Placing your baby with nose level with your nipple will allow to reach up and attach to your breast well.
- You just need to check that your baby’s head and body in a straight line? If not, your baby might not be able to swallow easily.
- Also Supporting neck, shoulders and back will able the baby to tilt head back easily, and shouldn’t have to reach out to feed.
- Your baby has a large mouthful of breast.
- Your baby’s chin is firmly touching your breast.
- It doesn’t hurt you when your baby feeds (although the first few sucks may feel strong).
- If you can see the dark skin around your nipple, you should see more dark skin above your baby’s top lip than below your baby’s bottom lip.
- Your baby’s cheeks stay rounded during sucking.
- Your baby rhythmically takes long sucks and swallows (it is normal for your baby to pause from time to time).
- Your baby finishes the feed and comes off the breast on his or her own.
- Try not to give your baby other food or drink for First six months of life
- Try not to give a dummy before breastfeeding is established – usually around a month
- Don’t be scared to ask for help from your Baby Doctor
