Top 15 FAQ's You Need to Know About Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the best way to keep your baby healthy and grow strong. Breastmilk supplies all the required nutrients to the body of the little one and protects him/her from allergies, seasonal sickness, and even obesity. A mother needs to provide breastfeeding to her newly born infant who requires this proteinaceous milk for healthy growth.

The importance of breastfeeding lies in the health benefits for the baby. It protects the baby from infection, diarrhea, any sort of allergies, sickness, and most importantly offers all the nutrients required for the healthy growth of the baby. Also it is found that breastfed babies score high on IQ levels.

Breastfeeding supplements are safe. For the healthy growth of a baby, it is important to feed him/her with the necessary nutrients. But it can't beat breast milk.

Breastfeeding does leave an impact on the mother, as she tends to have sagging boobs or shrinking of the breast after feeding the baby for a longer period. One can easily overcome this by applying breast firming creams and drinking lots of water.

This is normal as the baby latches well, and the nipple tends to get deep into the baby’s mouth. The tongue of the little one does the work of sucking the milk out of the nipples. The prolonged repetition of the same leaves the nipples in pain.

Breastfeeding is the foremost and the only food of the baby. It should ideally start right after birth. The baby remains alert on how to suck the milk and thus, he/she makes the best out of it. Research says that a new mother should allow her baby to feed once the baby is ready to have the milk.

It is generally recommended that a baby should be fed once he /she seems hungry. You should give your child to drink breast milk at an interval of 2 hours for around 8 to 12 times a day including at night.

Always offer both breasts at each feed. On average as a mother, you should feed your baby at least 20 minutes with the growing time to ensure the little one is getting enough of the breastmilk. Let the baby finish the first breast completely otherwise he/she may just drink ‘foremilk’ and not the fat dense ‘hindmilk’.So start on a different breast from the one last emptied.

Your baby should be positioned in a cradle hold. This is important as the breastfeeding involves a cozy touch; sitting upright and the head of the baby in your forearm and the other hand will be supporting the baby's body.

If you are feeding your baby 10 to 12 times in 24 hours and the baby is not crying much then be rest assured that you are getting him proper breast milk. Plenty of wet nappies, bright yellow regular stools, gaining weight, and looking well are the hints that he/she is getting enough milk.

You can always go back to your work to make sure your profession is handled well. Along with the breastfeed start making the formula milk powder a habit this will offer the baby the necessary food while you are away. Or you can express or pump your breast milk, for this a high-quality breast pump is essential. Freeze the pumped breast milk and use it when you are at work

You can store the breast milk in the liquid in the insulated pad or a cooler with an ice pack. Keep the bottles in the fridge for 8 to 10 hours or deep freeze up to 2-3 days. Remember storing in a freezer or refrigerator doesn’t stop bacterial growth but it only slows down. And if you want to give it to the baby immediately thaw it under cold running water or fill a container with cold water and place the milk bottle/bag in it. Once you have thawed make sure you don't refreeze it.

The next best thing is coconut milk, which is stated as the most useful drink for a baby to grow. Or start with any formula milk, Coconut milk does not contain any digestion irregular compounds hence you can try that without any fear. If your baby is 4 months old start alternatives such as homemade porridges with coconut milk.

If you start having food with a lot of herbs this will help you to increase the milk supply to your breast. You can mix fenugreek in your food while cooking to increase the milk supply. Garlic, shallots, and fennel seeds also increase milk production. One can crush these herbs and add in soups, broths, or in milk. Asparagus also increases milk production and it is available in the market in the form of powder.

A young mother should not limit breastfeed. To be precise a baby should get breast milk till he/she is four years of age. Often mothers extend the period and offer milk till 5 years to the baby.

You can wear comfortable clothes like two layered tops, loose-fitting Kurti or T-shirt or even can put a scarf. Choose malls and parks which provide a feeding area. Or otherwise, take a coffee break, move to a restaurant, sit in a booth, and feed your baby calmly.

"Baby-Friendly" means the hospital will have a written breastfeeding policy ie, the highest standard for maternal and child health care practices related to infant feeding. The staff of that particular hospital will be well trained to implement this policy. Here the main focus will be on the baby's nutrition and health. So other than breast milk no other supplement feeds are initiated or recommended.

Breastfeeding is crucial for a newly born infant to grow. The mother needs to take care of to offer the baby the necessary amount of milk that he/she demands a healthy living. Breastfeeding even offers a mental and emotional satisfaction to a new mother. The hormones of a mother quickly turn to the normal size and reduce the postpartum bleed as well. Both mother and baby should stay with each other for months so that the baby is not missing out on breast milk.