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For many women, breastfeeding their baby is a dream come true. They see it as a natural continuation of pregnancy and want to give their baby the healthiest nutrition possible. So what could be nicer for both mother and baby if breastfeeding is successful? Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do so that breastfeeding runs smoothly.
First, let's look at what makes breastfeeding so healthy.
Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy development. In addition, breast milk contains substances that protect a baby from childhood diseases. In addition, breastfeeding is readily available and costs nothing.
It reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression. It also helps women get to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.
The official advice is to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. From six months you can then give solid foods such as fruits and vegetables in addition to breastfeeding. WHO advice is to breastfeed until at least two years of age.
This may sound long, but how a baby of a few weeks old drinks with you and a baby of a year is very different.
For a baby of a few weeks, breastfeeding is all nutrition. For a one-year old baby, breastfeeding is still important, but also eating with meals with the family.
There are a few things that help breastfeeding succeed. You'll read about them below.
It helps if you prepare for breastfeeding. As you are doing now, while reading this article. Good preparation is half the battle.
As soon as your baby is born you can start breastfeeding. Preferably within the first hour of delivery. Make sure that your child gets the milk from the breast the right way. He should not only take the tip of the nipple in his mouth, but also a piece of the areola around it. Because the milk comes not from the tip, but from the milk ducts, which are on the areola.
When your baby drinks with you, let him drink for as long as he wants. After the first breast, offer him the other one. Again, he may drink as long as he wants. After this feeding, your baby will be satisfied and content.
After the first feeding, subsequent feedings follow. Feed your baby each time he is hungry. Your baby will signal this by smacking his lips, nibbling on his fists or moving his head. Try to respond to these signals immediately, then your baby will not have to cry from hunger.
This way you feed every time, both during the maternity period and the time after.
The first few weeks your baby will want to drink often, think every two hours. This is because breastfeeding is easily digestible and your baby still has a small tummy. Only after a few weeks will the time between feedings increase.
There is also an important role for the partner. It can sometimes seem that only the mother is busy with the baby, but as a partner you can ensure that the mother can breastfeed your baby in peace. Bringing a cup of tea, coffee or a glass of water to the nursing mother is not only sweet, it also shows that you are helping her. And breastfeeding is really something you do together after all.
I wish you a very wonderful time with your baby.
Want to read more about breastfeeding and how to make it work? Then read more here.
Guest author: Debby Mendelsohn
Author of the book Breastfeeding is how you do it!
