Breastfeeding is most important for a baby. Feeding of baby should be started with breastfeeding. It is the most natural way of feeding the baby and providing her with natural vitamins that will help the baby become immune to diseases. Breastfeeding has numerous advantages like minimizes mother’s fat, increases the IQ of the baby, reduces death of infant by SIDS, minimizes allergies of babies, minimizes breast cancer for mothers. It is the most natural way of providing the baby with vitamins. Doctor’s world over advice mothers to breastfeed their babies up to 12 months. The advantages of breastfeeding are there for everyone to see.
One cannot prepare physically for breastfeeding but should prepare them mentally for breastfeeding. It helps a mother to get to know about breastfeeding and its importance before the baby is born. Normally a breastfeed takes around 7-40 minutes. So a mother should choose amicable atmosphere and a comfortable place. One should choose a calm and peaceful environment so that they wont be distracted. Baby should be held in a position so that the back and arms don’t pain and they are comfortable. Support of cushions will be of added advantage. They should sit in a comfortable position for both baby and the mother.
One should take care of their back and ensure that they don’t stoop when they breast feed. Mothers should pay attention to the feeling of their breasts when a baby latches on.
Mother should have a mouthful of breast tissue. If baby’s latching on hurts the breasts, then she should interrupt the suction. Inserting little finger in-between the nipple and baby’s gums should do this. Baby feed should be allowed from one side instead from two breasts. Changing of breasts leads to baby getting watery milk. If the baby is still hungry it can be offered from other breast. But care must be taken that baby should be burped before continuing the breast feed.
During the initial stages of breastfeeding, mothers may experience problem of sore nipples, inflammation of breasts (Mastitis) and overfull breasts (engorgement). This is because baby takes time to get adjusted to breastfeeding and mother gets adjusted to milk supply. Lot of new mothers face difficulty in learning about breastfeeding and getting used to it. Mothers should have two breastfeeding bras. Doctors suggest that breastfeed should continue till 6 months. So mothers should ensure that their babies are breastfeed and get used to it.