Breastfeeding Facts- Benefits, guidelines, FAQ’s
Breastfeeding is a life-changing experience for mothers. It helps form an intense bond with your baby in the first hours after birth. Not just that, there are so many benefits of breastfeeding for your baby’s health, even into adulthood. After all, there’s a reason breast milk is called “liquid gold.”
In this blog, we will cover expert-backed breastfeeding techniques, diet for breastfeeding mothers, and breastfeeding guidelines from a fertility specialist in Kolkata, Dr. Rajeev Agarwal.
Amazing Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mother And Baby
Breastfeeding mothers should know about the importance of breastfeeding. What is so great about breastmilk? Let’s find out:
- Builds Immunity:
How does breastfeeding helps baby immunity and development? Colostrum (your first milk) contains special proteins that coat your baby’s intestinal tract to protect from harmful bacteria right from the start.
- Provides Essential Nutrients:
It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child death worldwide.
- Reduces Risk of Diabetes:
If you often wonder why breastfeeding is important for newborn babies? Babies who are breastfed are less likely to be obese or overweight later in life. They are less likely to have type II diabetes and perform better in intelligence tests.
- Improves IQ:
Premature babies fed more breast milk in the first 28 days of life have better brain development by the time their original birth date arrives and see benefits to IQ and memory skills later in childhood.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers
There are several benefits of breastfeeding for mothers as well:
- Breastfeeding burns between 500 and 600 calories a day. This is equivalent to 1 hour of high-intensity training. That means some moms might end up losing weight without any additional exercise.
- Moreover, breastfeeding mothers have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, and postpartum depression. And, the longer a woman breastfeeds in her lifetime, the more protection she receives
- The hormones released when you breastfeed help your uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.
- It has been used to treat burns, eye infections, diaper rash, and to reduce infection and promote healing.
The benefits of breastfeeding have been recognized for centuries.
Breastfeeding Facts Every Mother Should Know
Breastfeeding is surrounded by lots of doubts and confusion, and most women hesitate to ask these questions. So, we have compiled a list of breastfeeding facts that will help clear your confusion and stigma around breastfeeding.
- A woman’s right breast generally produces more milk than the left.
- Breast milk is not always white. It can be blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange, depending on what you eat or drink. Don’t worry, it’s OK for the baby.
- The amount of breast milk you are able to produce has nothing to do with your breast size. A mom with small breasts can have just as much (or more!) milk-making tissue as a mom with large breasts.
- Breastfeeding positions like laid-back, cross-cradle, and side-lying are best for newborns. These are natural positions for mothers and allow skin-to-skin contact.
WHO Breastfeeding Guidelines
Globally, only 40% of infants under the age of 6 months are exclusively breastfed.
The World Health Organization recommends that mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth and thereafter exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age.
WHO recommends continued breastfeeding along with appropriate foods up to 2 years of age or beyond.
Conclusion
Following the right breastfeeding guidelines, understanding your body, and seeking timely support can make this journey smoother and more fulfilling. While challenges may arise, the right knowledge and expert guidance can help overcome them with confidence. You can consult Dr. Rajeev Agarwal, expert preconception care doctor in Kolkata.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can breastfeeding cause nipple pain, and how to manage it?
Yes, mild nipple pain is common in the early days of breastfeeding, but persistent pain usually indicates an issue like improper latch.
To manage it:
- Ensure correct latch and positioning
- Keep nipples clean and dry
- Apply breast milk or a safe nipple cream for healing
If pain continues or becomes severe, consult a doctor or lactation expert.
Is it normal for breast milk supply to fluctuate during the day or week?
Yes, it is completely normal for breast milk supply to change and fluctuate during the day. The supply is generally highest in the morning and lower in the evening.
Can mothers continue breastfeeding while working outside the home?
Having a supportive workplace can be a huge blessing, where the mother is able to bring her baby to work or work from home, etc. She can carry her breast pump to work along with an ice case to store the expressed milk. When at home, she can directly breastfeed her baby, and the expressed milk can be used the following day to feed the baby when the mother is at work.
Does breastfeeding affect a mother’s diet or require special supplements?
Breastfeeding mothers should focus on a balanced, nutritious diet and stay well-hydrated. While most nutrients come from regular meals, some may need supplements like calcium, iron, or vitamin D based on individual needs
Can medications, vaccines, or illnesses affect breastfeeding safety?
Most medications and vaccines are safe during breastfeeding, but it’s always important to check with your doctor. If you are taking any new medications, inform the doctor that you are breastfeeding.
Is it possible to breastfeed after breast surgery or augmentation?
Yes, it is possible, but you should consult your lactation specialist. Sometimes mothers have flat, inverted nipples or have gone through breast surgeries in the past. In such cases, they may be asked to conduct certain breast exercises and invest in a few products so that they are better prepared for the journey ahead.
How long should a mother continue breastfeeding beyond 6 months?
Breastfeeding is recommended along with solid foods for at least up to 1 year, and many continue up to 2 years or beyond. It depends on your preference and what your baby wants.
Can breastfeeding help a baby sleep better at night?
Babies are not supposed to sleep through the night. Breastfeeding does not make them sleep all-night-long. In fact, if your newborn does not wake up in 2-3 hours, you should wake them up to feed them. Oversleeping is not a good sign.
Are there ways to increase milk supply if it’s low?
The more the mother feeds, the more milk she produces.
Can babies with tongue-tie or lip-tie breastfeed effectively?
Some babies can breastfeed with minor ties, but others may face difficulty latching or feeding efficiently. A lactation consultant or pediatric specialist can assess the situation and suggest exercises or minor procedures if needed.
When does breast care start in pregnancy?
The third trimester is a good time to start thinking about breast care. Ideally, the mother should discuss this with her gynecologist and get in touch with a lactation specialist.
How can a mother prepare herself for breastfeeding and an adequate milk supply during pregnancy?
The mother should have a candid discussion with her gynecologist and a lactation specialist to clear out all her doubts and issues. Breastfeeding is a natural process; however, it doesn’t always come naturally to everyone. I recommend the mother-to-be to go in for a lactation counseling session, where she will go through a thorough breast examination.
Do smaller breasts mean lesser milk?
This is probably the biggest myth I’ve ever come across. Breast size is completely irrelevant when it comes to breastfeeding. It is the triggering of hormones within the mother’s body that determines how much milk is produced.
Does breast milk always have to be white?
The funny thing about breast milk is that it never has the same colour, consistency or composition. It keeps changing. Immediately post birth, mothers produce colostrum, which is a clear, thick, yellowish liquid. It gradually turns into transitional milk as it takes on a more whitish appearance and finally into mature milk. Then we have foremilk, which is more watery in consistency and hindmilk which is thicker and whiter.
Apart from that the colour of the breastmilk keeps changing depending on the mother’s diet. Sometimes it turns greenish, other times bluish, sometimes even orange.
Why is breastfeeding counseling recommended in the Indian setting?
Breastfeeding counseling is a compulsory practice in Western countries. I think India needs it all the more, as moms are expected to know how to breastfeed the second they give birth. If not, there are several people to judge and give unsolicited advice, which is not even scientific.
This is why breastfeeding counselling is very important in India.
When should mothers ideally start breastfeeding?
Ideally, mothers should start feeding the minute they give birth. I encourage mothers to breastfeed at the table immediately post delivery, even after C-sections. Latching is instinctive, and the sooner the baby is made to latch on, the smoother the entire journey promises to be.
In my experience, 75% of breastfeeding-related problems are because of a poor latch. Babies are very alert 1 hour post birth, and if at this time a latch is established, it really does influence the days to come. It also gives the mother a lot of confidence to feed. And post that they should feed as much and as often as they can.
How often does one need to breastfeed?
One should feed as much and as often she wants and as much as the baby wants to nurse. It’s very difficult to put a timeline on this, as different babies have different needs. So if a baby asks for milk every 2 hours, it’s considered normal, and if it wants to be fed 20 minutes after a feed, that too is considered normal. One should just not go beyond a 2-2.5 hour window for a newborn.
How long does the mother need to nurse the baby in each feed?
This differs from baby to baby. It can take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes to fill a baby’s tummy. Ideally, a mother should feed the baby till the baby is full.
Is there any particular correct breastfeeding position?
What is comfortable for you and the baby is the correct position. The only thing you need to remember is to support the baby’s head and neck. Also, avoid bending down or straining your arms, as you don’t want any aches. If she is confident enough to hold and feed the baby on her own, following the mother’s instinct is the best.
What kind of a diet does one need to follow for breastfeeding?
A method of trial and error should be adopted. The traditional panjiri, gond laddoos, have been made through generations for new mothers to promote lactation. Simple foods such as jeera, mangoes, chicken soup, gur, oats, and rice should also be included. Follow the doctor’s orders, eat well, and stay hydrated.
Can you please reinforce your views on this never-ending debate on bottle-feeding vs spoon-feeding? What are the most common issues?
If the mother plans to breastfeed her baby, it’s best to avoid the bottle. Babies almost always develop a preference towards the bottle, and the entire breastfeeding cycle is disturbed, which ultimately results in a lower milk supply for the mother.
Spoon feeding may sound cumbersome, but it’s really not. It is a bit challenging initially, but once you get the hang of it after a few sessions its quite simple.
The only advantage of bottle feeding is convenience. Bottle feeding puts the baby at risk of diarrhea and other infections in case of even the slightest laxity in sterilization.
Can mothers who haven’t given birth breastfeed their adopted or surrogate babies?
We have successfully dealt with a case of surrogacy where the non-birth mother was successfully able to breastfeed her twins. This requires planning and a coordinated effort between the Doctor, the lactation consultant, and the mother.
Milk supply can be induced through a combination of hormone therapy and stimulation.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Every baby has a different appetite; therefore, the amount of milk that it is consuming is generally not a factor. One needs to see if the baby is gaining weight, if he/she appears generally alert and settled, and is passing urine a minimum of 6-8 times in 24 hours.
Should a mother continue nursing if she is unwell?
Absolutely! During any ordinary illness, a mother must continue feeding her baby. The mother’s body manufactures antibodies to fight infections, which get transmitted to the baby via breast milk, which actually gives additional immunity and health benefits to the young one. The mother must remind her doctor that she is breastfeeding so that he can prescribe medicines accordingly.
Why do mothers stop breastfeeding early?
The primary cause of stopping breastfeeding early is misinformation. Since breastfeeding consulting is relatively new in Kolkata or India, in general, there are very few doctors who offer lactation counselling at the patient’s bedside.