What makes mammals unique is the ability to breastfeed the young ones, whether it a little mouse, man, or whales and dolphins. Due to commercialization and false propagandas many a woman abstained from feeding their children during the recent past.
But due to recent propaganda by WHO and other NGOs world is rediscovering the benefits of breast feeding
* Mother should eat all variety of food she was used to before.There's no food taboos.A new food item is not advised.
*Mother's milk is sufficient for every baby.Production of milk is by demand.Mother's hormones are produced in response to seeing touching hearing her baby.
Breast is not a store house.Milk is produced and flows when baby sucks.
*No other milk should be given for various reasons.One important reason is giving other milk will reduce mother's milk.This is because baby will be less hungry,sucks less and hormones come down.
There is no need to top up extra after mother's milk.
*Baby can be kept on chest or lap of mother even after feeding.Babies like to be close to the mother.Warmth,touch and smell of mother is a pacifier.(At any age)
Our brain is used to these stimuli first in our lives
Baby is not spoilt or you need not discipline by keeping baby on bed after feeding.
*Baby passes stools while feeding or immediately after feeding.This is natural physiology.It is not due to indigestion as many think.
Mother's milk is human species specific and also baby specific.
A breast fed baby may pass stools 15times a day to no stools upto 15 days!!
*Baby's crying is not always due to hunger.That's the language to express everything.Cries while passing stool,urine,wet,hot,cold,itching,hurting,too many people around,no one picking...
*Mother's milk alone is sufficient for good growth and development for baby.if any doubt dicuss with your doctor or nurse
*Not enough milk complaint is common.Various reasons are
*Not sure how we know...if baby's weight increasing surest sign.
Indirectly we know if baby passes urine 5or 6times.Sleeps well after feed.
*Crying...
Do not wait till a baby cries with hunger.Observe cues like vigorous activities,turning face side to side sucking hand etc.pick baby during this time to feed.Baby starts sucking well.Crying is last step and it may take a while to settle the baby and mother too .
After feed may be baby wants to stay close to mother.Keep baby on mother.
Other reasons for crying wet nappy
*Not fed for enough time...there is no strict rule every baby should feed in stipulated time.Everyone is unique
*Mother's anxiety and not enough support. Encourage every mother she will be able to give sufficient milk. Especially husband,mother, mother in law's need to do this.
Breast feeding needs to be learnt by mother and baby.It comes by practice.It's a new knowledge for mother too.
*Drinks too often.You don't need to set the clock and see.Take it easy.Every baby is unique.
*No privacy.too many visitors..
Good skin contact,time, peaceful atmosphere is required.
Stroke and speak to the baby while feeding.
Only you need to have a baby and mother to have enough milk..
Mother's milk is the best gift for a baby...for a lifetime
