breast-feeding
Release time : 01/18/2025 18:13:27
For mothers, everything is for the sake of their child. They will stick to it.
Take breastfeeding, since it is known that breast milk is beneficial for a baby's physical development, the vast majority of mothers choose to breastfeed.
However, due to the lack of experience among many new mothers, they often encounter various problems during lactation.
Today, we're going to help new moms figure out the right way to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding, everyone knows, is when a mother gives their breast milk to their baby after childbirth until the baby can eat other foods.
Throughout the breastfeeding process, mothers often encounter ambiguous questions that are difficult for them to make decisions on their own.
Let's talk about some common issues that mothers face while breastfeeding.
Is it necessary to buy a breast pump when breastfeeding? It is recommended that mothers who are planning to breastfeed should prepare one. Breast pumps can help mothers understand their baby's milk intake and can also relieve the pain of engorgement.
For convenience, it is suggested to choose electric instead of manual.
Should I clean my nipples before feeding? This is not needed. Aerobic bacteria on the mother's nipples and the surrounding skin are beneficial to the baby's physical development.
If you want to clean, just wipe the nipple with a wet towel before feeding.
How often should breast milk be fed? It mainly depends on the baby's demand for breast milk. Generally, newborns need to eat 8-12 times a day. As babies get older, the frequency of feeding decreases, but the amount of milk consumed per feeding increases.
What should I do if my breast milk is insufficient? Try to avoid rushing to feed your baby formula as much as possible. You can drink more soup and fluids to increase the amount of breast milk in your body. When feeding your baby, increase the duration of each feeding session.
Under normal circumstances, the situation of insufficient milk can basically be solved.
Should I wear a bra for breastfeeding? Although wearing a bra is indeed inconvenient for breastfeeding, mothers should wear nursing bras without steel rings, cotton, and soft steel supports from the beginning of pregnancy to prevent sagging breasts.
The benefits of breast-feeding mention the feeding of newborns. Everyone knows that babies are better after breast-feeding, but if you want to ask why this is the case, many parents can't answer.
In order to give parents a more comprehensive understanding of breast-feeding, next, we will talk specifically about the benefits of breast-feeding for babies.
First, breast milk is rich in nutrients, especially colostrum, which is more nutritious than high-quality milk on the market and is of great benefit to the healthy growth of your baby.
Second, breast milk is rich in immunoglobulin, lactoferrin, growth factors, macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes, which have the function of preventing infection and enhancing immunity.
Therefore, breast milk not only develops better, but also enhances the body's resistance and immunity.
According to relevant research, babies who eat breast milk are less likely to get sick.
Third, breastfeeding can promote the recovery of the mother's body.
Breastfeeding allows a mother's uterus to recover faster and prevents postpartum anemia.
Fourth, scientific breastfeeding can also promote the gastrointestinal digestion of the baby.
Breast milk is the most natural food and does not contain substances that are not easily digestible, so your baby does not have to worry about indigestion.
Fifth, strengthen the interaction between mother and baby.
When the baby is eating breast milk, the mother will touch the baby appropriately. Through close contact with the mother, the baby not only feels more secure, but also takes the opportunity to communicate physically with the mother.
Sixth, feeding costs are low.
If you give your baby milk powder, the cost will definitely be more expensive than breastfeeding.
Correct posture for breastfeeding. Although breast milk is the favorite food ration for newborns, feeding is not easy for mothers. Many feeding details are not well grasped, which is not good for themselves and the baby.
For instance, regarding breastfeeding positions, improper posture can lead to baby choking on milk and discomfort for the mother.
So, how should the breastfeeding position be? Position one: The mother lies on her side with a pillow under her head, and the baby lies on its side facing the mother, with the belly touching the mother's belly. A pillow can be placed behind the baby's back.
Applicable Scenario: Breastfeeding at Night.
Position two: crossover. The mother supports the baby's head with one arm on the inside of their chest, tilting the baby's body slightly, and uses the other hand to place the breast into the baby's mouth.
Suitable scene: Sitting while breastfeeding.
Position Three: The Cradle Hold. One hand is holding the baby, making it feel like they're sleeping in a cradle. The other hand is placed on the breast and areola, with a cushion under the baby’s body.
Appropriate Scenarios: Sitting while breastfeeding or standing while breastfeeding.
Position Four: Clutching The baby's legs with hands and placing them under the mother's lateral armpit, positioning the baby's upper body in front of the mother's breasts, with the body in a semi-sitting position. The mother's hand supports the baby's head while the other hand spreads fingers open, resting on the breast.
Appropriate scenario: Pregnant women undergoing cesarean section.
How long is the best time to breastfeed? Breastfeeding is a common and natural part of life for newborns.
Some babies finish breastfeeding after a few months, while others continue until they are one or two years old.
So, the question is, how long should breastfeeding last? Let's hear from some pediatric experts on this.
Generally, breastfeeding is continued until the baby can wean.
The time to wean the baby can start as early as 6 months old and as late as 2 years.
However, the specific timing for weaning a baby should be determined based on the baby and mother's physical condition.
If the baby is weak and often ill, the time for weaning should be appropriately extended.
If the mother's physical condition is poor, she may also consider early weaning.
Human milk contains a range of nutrients not found in formula or cow's milk, including various immunological components, unsaturated fatty acids, and beta-casoline. Breastfeeding for too short a period is not conducive to the nutritional supplementation and healthy development of the baby.
Therefore, when considering the timing of weaning a baby, it is important to consider factors such as the baby's age and developmental stage.
In rural areas, babies generally start weaning at 12-18 months; in urban areas, the timing of weaning is slightly earlier, typically occurring between 8-12 months.
The different timing of weaning in urban and rural areas is mainly due to the shorter breastfeeding maternity leave in cities.
Common misconceptions in breastfeeding. For new mothers, the first thing they need to learn is how to breastfeed (excluding those who choose not to).
In addition to learning some basic breastfeeding techniques, it is also important to be aware of some common misconceptions that can lead to unnecessary trouble during the breastfeeding period.
Therefore, the following common misconceptions among breastfeeding mothers should be avoided: Firstly, it is necessary to keep some milk. Mothers worry that they will not have enough milk and think that if there is milk available, they should keep some.
In fact, when there is not enough breast milk, it will automatically produce more; once there is enough, the rate of milk production slows down.
Therefore, there's no need to specifically store milk for the baby; it will naturally be available when they eat.
Second, if the breasts are squeezed out, there will be no milk. As long as the blood is flowing in your body, the breasts can produce milk.
The breasts are sagging, but the milk production continues, only that there is a decrease in the flow of milk.
Thirdly, it's important to note that taking medication does not prevent breastfeeding. If a doctor hasn’t mentioned anything about being unable to breastfeed while on medication, it means the drug won't affect breastfeeding.
Fourth, the nutritional content of breast milk after 6 months is not rich. The nutrients in breast milk will change with the baby's age, whether it is breast milk before 6 months or breast milk after 6 months, which is rich in nutrients and can meet the baby's needs for different development stages.
Fifth, if a mother has hepatitis B, she cannot breastfeed. The milk contains antibodies that can protect against the virus. However, since babies are vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine after birth, they can still be breastfed even if their mother has hepatitis B.
*The medical content mentioned in this text is for reference only.
In case of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on an in-person medical examination.