The First Steps to Breastfeeding
Lactating Your Way to the Breastfeeding Success
Find the easiest steps to help boost your milk production within the first few days of welcoming your newborn home! There is nothing more natural than feeding your baby!
“The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling.” (al-Baqarah).
Breastfeeding plays an important role in the bonding of a mother - newborn relationship. Babies find suckling an instant comfort after the trauma of labour. As women’s bodies are naturally designed to conceive, carry a child to term and deliver the baby to the world, the next step of breastfeeding the child should also come naturally.
Breastfeeding is not always easy though. A new mother fraught with fatigue, highly anxious to please her child, and under pressure to look after a new baby may not always rise to the occasion of nursing with ease.
Here are some easy tips to help you feed your baby.
Find a baby-friendly hospital or birthing centre
Believe it or not, there are hospitals and centres that decide that you “do not have enough of milk.”
This is likely to be untrue. Research has shown that less than 2% of women suffer from a low level of milk production and are not able to breastfeed their babies.
These hospitals or clinics automatically feed your babies formula from a bottle upon their arrival. This reduces milk production instantly as your baby will not effectively stimulate your let-down reflex when put to the breast.
You produce milk in response to your baby's demands; therefore, have your baby suckle at your breast as much as she wants and avoid the bottle. Make sure you deliver at a baby-friendly hospital where the doctors and nurses are there to help you breastfeed.
Allow baby to suck immediately and frequently
Lactation experts recommend that babies nurse within the first hour of birth. This provides the baby instant comfort when he or she hears your heartbeat – a familiar sound from the womb.
Your new-born may want to spend a lot of time sleeping in the first few days. Wake him up frequently during the day to let him suckle. Frequent suckling stimulates breastmilk and if done throughout the day will also help him distinguish day from night.
Spend as much time as possible with baby
As a mother of a brand new bundle of joy, spend as much time as possible with your baby. By having your baby being taken away from you (by others who want to help), you lose that natural bond with her. Spending a lot of time with your newborn, whether awake or asleep, helps curb any potential onset of baby-blues and strengthens the bond between the both of you.
Breastmilk is a direct result of a strong bond between mum and baby.
Co-sleep with your baby. This closeness between the both of you will help you lactate. Breastfeeding is also easier with co-sleeping as you would not have to get out of bed when your baby needs a feed.
Nursing can be tiring and unnecessary movement can further tire you out.
Take care of yourself
In order for you to produce milk, you have to take care of yourself. Sleep when baby sleeps and do not over-exert yourself during the first few weeks. If someone is helping you out, make sure he or she respects your right to breastfeed. By not abiding to your requests, stress and anxiety will lead to low levels of milk.
Eat well as there is nothing like a balanced diet. Do not cut down on your dairy products as yet - dieting can come later. Drink plenty of warm water and make yourself hot soup. This will not only help with breastfeeding but effectively expel toxins from your body. Avoid spicy and fatty foods, caffeine and alcohol - these will not benefit you or your baby in any way.
Do not bottle-feed your baby
Bottle feeding will reduce your milk supply as your baby will find it comforting that her hunger is fulfilled quicker without having to suckle with much effort. Whether it is formula or expressed milk in the bottle, it is best to avoid it all together.
Your baby is your best stimulant for a let-down – not a pump. If you do have to top-up in the first few days with formula, feed your baby with a syringe or other training teats rather than with a bottle teat. This way, your baby will not be confused with the sudden change of nipple.
Get help if you are having problems
Should you still be struggling to breastfeed, consult a lactation expert, your doctor or the nurses that provides such support. They will be able to walk through more advanced techniques and even prescribe supplements that would help increase your milk.
Do not give up. You deserve to breastfeed your baby.
Believe in yourself – you are a mother!
Breastfeeding should come naturally and being the mother of your baby puts you in control of that right. Negative comments about your ability to nurse will affect your milk supply, so be confident that you can feed.
Some people may insist that your baby is “still hungry” and needs to be fed from a bottle or even announce that your baby “is thirsty” and should be given a bottle of water. Remind yourself that you have the best milk supply – even water should not be fed to a baby below the age of six months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urges mothers to breastfeed their children in the first hour of life and continue to do so exclusively for the next six months. Breastmilk is a wonder and it should come naturally as it is the best for your you and your baby.
