Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for your baby. It plays an important role in the development and well being of your newborn. For the first six months, your breast milk serves as a perfect nutrition for your baby.
Usually, you can start breastfeeding your baby immediately after birth. This helps your uterus to contract well and also help in early milk secretion The initial breast milk is referred to as colostrum which is thick and yellowish in color. It is full of proteins and antibodies which protects your baby from certain infections and is a good source of nutrition too
1.Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants.
2. It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat — everything your baby needs to grow.
3. it’s all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula
4.Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.
5.Plus, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea.
6.They also have fewer hospitalizations and visits to the doctor.
7.Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies.
8.The physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure.
9.Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children.
Breastfeeding Benefits for the Mother-
1.Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster.
2.It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.
3 Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too.
Best positions to feed your baby-
Cradle position- Rest the side of your baby’s head in the crook of your elbow with their whole body facing you. Position your baby’s belly against your body so they feel fully supported. Your other, “free” arm can wrap around to support your baby’s head and neck — or reach through your baby’s legs to support the lower back.
Side-lying position– This position is great for night feedings in bed. Side-lying also works well when you’re recovering from an episiotomy, an incision to widen the vaginal opening during delivery. Use pillows under your head to get comfortable. Then snuggle close to your baby and use your free hand to lift your breast and nipple into your baby’s mouth. Once your baby is correctly “latched on,” support the head and neck with your free hand so there’s no twisting or straining to keep nursing.
Cross-cradle hold– Sit straight in a comfortable chair that has armrests. Hold your baby in the crook of your arm that’s opposite the breast you will use to feed them. Support their head with your hand. Bring your baby across your body so your tummies face each other. Use your other hand to cup your breast in a U-shaped hold. Bring your baby’s mouth to your breast and cradle them close, and don’t lean forward.
How often you should feed your baby
Newborns often want to feed every 2-3 hours. By 2 months, feeding every 3-4 hours is common, and by six months, most babies feed every 4-5 hours.
