When you feed your baby directly from your breast milk then this is known as Breastfeeding. For the first 6 months breastfeeding is highly recommended by all medical experts. Breast Milk contains fat, proteins, and carbohydrates which give immunity to your baby to fight against diseases. During the early stages of life breast milk satisfies an infant’s thirst as it contains 88% of water. So it’s enough to provide all the nutrients to your baby.
The World Health Organization issued a report Infant and Young Child Feeding in which they mentioned how breastfeeding is important for the first 6 months of a baby’s life. This will reduce the risk of illness among newborn babies. Breast-fed for the first 4 months reduces the risk of diarrhea and pneumonia. This will protect children against acute and chronic disorders and reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart diseases.
Benefits of Breastfeeding:
You need to breastfeed your newborns every 2-3 months. After 2 months you need to feed every 3-4 hours and most babies feed every 4-5 hours by six months. Everything your baby needs to grow vitamins, protein, and fat, breast milk is the mixture of all. All the antibodies which your baby requires to fight against viruses, bacteria, and allergies breast milk contain that.
Extended Breastfeeding time:
The scientist said that the longer you breastfeed, the stronger positive outcome you will get. You can continue with breastfeeding after 6 months of introducing the other foods to your baby. Studies show that children with extended breastfeeding have a more IQ level than the children who were never breastfed. There are some mothers and babies who enjoy breastfeeding for a long time. But many families believe that breastfeeding for up to 4 years is not healthy. This is not true if you and your child are happy then it is not unusual for children up to four years.
Breastfeeding Benefits for the mother:
Some women gain too much weight and calories during pregnancy so breastfeeding help in burning extra calories so that you can lose pregnancy weight faster. Pregnancy increases the hormone oxytocin in a woman's body so it’s important to return the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size. Breastfeeding lowers the risks of breast cancer and osteoporosis and releases the hormone oxytocin.
Some basic tips for new breastfeeding moms:
- To avoid preterm birth you need regular prenatal care.
- You take breastfeeding classes if necessary.
- Ask your doctor to teach you the basics of breastfeeding and help to resolve your issues.
- If you have any health issues then talk to your doctor about this.
- It’s important to breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after delivery.
Things to remember while breastfeeding:
- Awareness:
Try to recognize the signs of your baby whenever your baby is hungry and breastfeed your baby immediately. You need to nurse every 24 hours eight to 12 times during the first few weeks. If your baby is hungry then they move their hands towards their mouth, noises and start crying while moving towards your breast.
- Be patient:
On each breast, the baby breastfeeds for 10-20 minutes. Never hurry your infant while feeding.
- Comfort:
Get comfortable with yourself before breastfeeding. If you feel relaxed while breastfeeding then your milk is more likely to “let down”. Take the help of pillows to support your arms, head, neck, and feet.
- Develop healthy eating habits:
Both father and mother need to develop healthy eating habits. If you develop these habits then you are more likely to have children with healthy eating habits. To provide healthy nutrients to your body the mother needs to eat healthy food.
Conclusion:
It’s important to talk to your doctor before breastfeed if you take any kind of prescription drugs. Your doctor will recommend a better decision. If you stop breastfeeding after 6 months then don’t turn up towards milk bottles. Go for cow’s milk ingested through a bowl and spoon. Cow milk is very healthy for newborn babies.
