Breastfeeding can seem daunting to a new mum while still trying to figure out changes in her own body and trying to learn the baby’s cues. Most mums get the hang of the process of breastfeeding after the first few days while some struggle to get the baby to latch correctly.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as when ‘an infant receives only breast milk, no other liquids or solids are given – not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines’ (World Health Organization 2016). Medical experts recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed till they are six months of age.
Breastfeeding is beneficial both for the baby and the nursing mother. Breast milk is the perfect food for the baby as it is clean, always at the right temperature and can be made available whenever the baby needs it.
Breast milk keeps the baby healthy as it is packed with nutrients in the right proportions. It changes constantly in volume and composition to meet the baby’s needs as it grows. Breast milk is also great for building the baby’s immune system, and protects against allergies, infections, sickness, and obesity. The colostrum (thick, yellow fluid) produced by the breasts in the first few days after birth is an intensely concentrated and nutritious food for the baby.
Breastfeeding is good for mothers as it reduces their risk for certain kinds of cancers and Type II diabetes, and helps them to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight faster. It is also a free and convenient way to ensure that the baby has food while at home or even while travelling, without having to carry additional food, warm water or feeding bottles. Breastfeeding also helps to build a lasting bond between the mother and the baby.
The baby will start to demand food soon after birth. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for breastfeeding even before the baby is born. Attending an antenatal class can help the mother learn how to position the newborn for breastfeeding, how to release breast milk (expressing), how to latch the newborn for breastfeeding, how to increase milk supply for breastfeeding, the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, common breastfeeding problems and so forth.
The supply of breast milk in the first few days after birth will be low and in higher frequency, and new mothers may worry about how to increase breast milk supply. Newborn babies have very small stomachs and still developing digestive systems and can take in very small quantities of breast milk at each time. By offering the baby both breasts at each feed and switching which breast you start feeding with will help to stimulate the breast milk supply. Skin-to-skin contact also stimulates the breasts to produce more milk.
Another doubt that new mothers have is about how to control overflow of breast milk. When the breasts are too full of milk, it can cause nipple pain when breastfeeding, breast engorgement or mastitis. This can cause the breasts to feel hard, tight, and painful. In the first few days after delivery, if the baby does not empty the milk produced, it could lead to engorgement. Breast engorgement may also occur later on when the baby is not feeding on a regular basis. Using a breast pump can help to empty the breasts of milk after the baby has finished feeding. If there is not much milk to be emptied, a milk saver pump will be useful.
While every mother has a unique breastfeeding experience, there are a few issues that are commonly encountered while breastfeeding. Most of the problems are because the baby does not latch properly for a feed. When the baby does not latch properly, the feed is not satisfactory for him / her. The process of breastfeeding also becomes painful for the mother. In order to ensure a good latch, it is recommended to ensure that the baby’s chin touches the mother’s breast and the baby’s mouth opens wide around the mother’s breast, not just the nipple. If the baby has latched on properly, the baby’s ears will move slightly and his / her lips will be turned out.
When the baby does not latch on properly and the mother’s nipples adjust to producing breast milk, the mother may experience sore or cracked nipples which can be discomforting and painful. A soft and flexible nipple shield with a wide contact surface can help to relieve pain due to latch-on problems.
Flat or inverted nipples can prevent the baby from latching on to the breast sufficiently. The cause of inverted nipples is mainly congenital, when milk ducts are not fully developed or when the nipple base is too small. With the help of a nipple puller, the inverted nipples can be gently pulled out for the baby to latch on. The nipple puller also helps in cases of engorgement since it massages the breast to enable the mammary glands to produce more milk.
Newborn babies do not drink a lot of milk at each feed. The overflow of milk which is expressed with a breast pump needs to be stored safely and hygienically for it to be used later on. If the expressed breast milk will be used in the same day, it can be stored in breast milk storage bottles in the refrigerator. If the breast milk is being stored for longer periods, it can be freezed in breast milk storage bags and stored for 6-12 months.
There is no right time to stop breastfeeding, it is dependent on when the mother wishes to stop feeding. After the first six months after birth, when it is recommended that the baby be exclusively breastfed, breastfeeding can be stopped at any time. Some mothers like to continue breastfeeding till 2-3 years of age as it is a time for the mother and child to bond with each other and the baby derives a lot of comfort while feeding.
Stopping breastfeeding should be a gradual process, decreasing the frequency of feed as the baby grows and eats solid food. In fact, breast milk aids the baby’s digestive system while it processes the first solids. By gradually reducing the breastfeeding, the mother will also be able to avoid breast engorgement and mastitis.
