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(Information courtesy
of Dr S.L. Koe, Paediatrician & Lactation Consultant. Tel. no. : 03-798
30539)
3
Steps to Breastfeeding
Dear Parents,
The information
given here will help the mother to breastfeed successfully. The supportive
role of the father is of utmost importance. The mother needs support and encouragement
from him and grandmothers to build up the confidence that she has enough milk.
Having enough information prevents breastfeeding problems and crises and provides
the solutions to these should they arise. The baby can be breastfed completely
for 6 months, thereafter solids are given together with breastfeeding to 2
years and beyond.
The Art
of Successful Breastfeeding
Introduction
Successful
Breastfeeding depends on
- Having enough information
on normal breastfeeding
- Having support from
knowledgeable Medical staff in the Maternity Unit and Family members
- Having a Positive
and Confident attitude that it can be done
Breastfeeding
Benefits to the Child
- This provides the
best possible nutrition to the young child
- It reduces the incidence
of coughs and colds, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis
and diarrhoea through its protective factors.
- It protects the
child from colic, asthma, eczema, nose and food allergies
- It is essential
for the optimal physical, emotional and mental development of the child.
Breastfed children are also smarter
Breastfeeding
Benefits to the Mother
- This promotes mother
and child bonding
- It prevents uterine
bleeding in the mother after delivery
- This is a natural
form of Family Planning
- This reduces the
risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother
- This saves time
and precious expenses need not be used for buying milk powder and health
care.
3 Easy
Steps for Successful Breastfeeding
Feed
Early -
- Within half hour
of birth, in the Labour Ward
- First feed lasts
for 10-20 minutes. First day baby feeds 5-6 times a day
Feed
Frequently
- Room in with baby
while in Hospital
- From 2nd day, baby
feeds about 1.5 to 2 hourly
- Baby feeds about
10-12 times per 24 hours
- Each feed lasts
for 20 to 40 minutes or more
- No limit to duration
or frequency of feeds to satisfy suckling needs
- No need to time
the baby and feed whenever baby is hungry
- At night feed 2
hourly before 12 midnight, then at 2-3 am and again at 5-6am. Good to
co-sleep in the same bed with baby.
Feed
Properly
- Hold baby at breast
level, lying on his side, chest to chest
- Stimulate the rooting
reflex with nipple touching baby's lips
- Quickly bring baby
to breast when his mouth opens wide
- Baby latches on
properly and prevents sore nipples, when the nipple and much of the areola
are in the baby's mouth
- Allowing suckling
till baby sleeps and lets go of the nipple himself
- Do not pull the
baby off the nipple when he is still latched on
- When off the nipple,
and baby cries, put him back on the same breast
- Allow him to complete
one feed on one breast
- Feed on the other
breast at the next feed, 1-2 hours later
- Colostrum is more
than enough for baby till Mature Milk comes in
- No need to give
water, glucose or formula milk
- Avoid bottles and
pacifiers and other artificial nipples as these cause nipple confusion,
and breast rejection
Baby
has enough milk if
- He is contented
for 1-2 hours after a feed
- He passes clear
dilute urine 5-6 times a day
- He passes bright
yellow watery stools 6-8 times a day
- He puts on at least
20 grams of body weight a day
- He regains birth
weight after 2 weeks
Breast
milk supply can be increased by
- Frequent feeds day
and night
- Allowing unlimited
breastfeeding to satisfy baby's suckling needs
- Mother to eat and
drink sufficient quantities to satisfy her hunger and thirst
- Cultural foods like
ginger and rice wine are compatible with breastfeeding
Breast
Engorgement
- Apply cold wet compresses
over the breast to reduce swellings
- Feed frequently
2-3 hourly round the clock. Safe to take 2 Panadols for pain
Maternal/Infant
illnesses
- It is safe to breastfeed
even when mother and baby have illnesses
- Most drug medications
are compatible with Breastfeeding
- Maternal Mastitis
can be treated with antibiotics for 10 days
- Continue Breastfeeding
from both breasts
- Neonatal Jaundice
is compatible with Full Breastfeeding
Working
and breastfeeding your baby is possible by storing expressed breast milk
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