Know More About Motherhood & Breastfeeding
Amit Bhatnagar
Business Leader | Strategy & Development | Innovation & Collaboration | Operations & Technology Enthusiast| Mentor| Customer Success Advocate | Business Analysis | Process Formulation| People & Change Management
"Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing."
Pregnancy and childbirth are some of the most anticipated & joyous events in a woman’s life. Post your pregnancy, you will undergo several changes, both physically & emotionally. This is the time when you & your child will get to know each other better.
Breastfeeding while being a natural thing, you may need a bit of getting used to it. Some women adapt to it faster than others & most women will be able to do it successfully albeit with lots of support & encouragement.
It is very natural and extremely important process through which both the mom and the child goes, it not only fills the baby’s tummy but it’s also the first bond sharing moment and memory for the mother after the baby is born. Breastfeeding, also known as nursing is the best way to provide young infants with the essential nutrients required for growth and development.
You may have seen those breastfeeding moms , they make it look so easy, Without skipping a beat of conversation or a bite of lunch, they open a button and latch on a baby, as if breastfeeding were the most natural process in the world. But while the source may be natural, nursing knowhow, especially for newbie moms & their babies often doesn’t come naturally at all at first.
Whether your 1st time is a breeze, a struggle or somewhere in between, there’s a lot to learn. So the more you know about the technique (how to position your baby), mechanics (how to know your baby is getting enough milk) and logistics (when a meal is over and when it’s time for another), the more confident & empowered you will feel.
Breastfeeding IQ
Raise your breastfeeding IQ before you start nursing by knowing these basics:
1. When your milk comes in -
Nature has designed your breast milk to arrive in 3 stages, each based on your baby’s age, making it the perfect food from the 1st day to the 10th & beyond.
Colostrum: When you first deliver, the thick, yellowy (though sometimes clear) substance that you’re producing is colostrum. It is a vital blend of protein, vitamins & minerals which helps defend your baby against harmful bacteria, viruses& possibly even stimulate your baby to produce antibodies. It also coats the inside of baby’s intestines, protecting the immature immune system against allergies & digestive upset.
In addition, it stimulates your baby’s first bowel movement and reduces jaundice risk. You'll likely produce very little milk, but your baby probably won't need more than a few teaspoons of this “liquid gold” per feeding during the early days. Regularly suckling from the start will help stimulate your body to produce the next stage of milk within a few days.
Transitional milk: Around the 3rd or4th day post your delivery (postpartum). Transitional milk resembling milk mixed with orange appears. It contains lower levels of immunoglobulins & protein than colostrum but has more lactose, fat & calories.
Mature milk: Arriving between day 10 and 2 weeks postpartum, mature milk is thin & white, though sometimes slightly bluish. While it looks like watery skim milk, it’s packed with all the fat and other nutrients that growing babies need.
2. Latching baby onto your breast -
Initially, it might take quite a few tries to get your baby into the right position but do not stop trying to get the most comfortable position for yourself & your baby.
First, it’s essential to know a good latch, since improper latching is the most common cause of breast discomfort. Your baby's mouth should cover both your nipple and the areola, so that the baby’s mouth, tongue and lips massage milk out of your milk glands. Sucking on just the nipple will not only leave your infant hungry because the glands that secrete the milk won’t be compressed, it will also make your nipples sore and cracked.
Tips to get that latch going: Hold your baby facing your breasts, with the front of her body facing yours, tummy to tummy. Her head should be in line with the rest of her body, not turned, to make swallowing easier. Tickle baby's lip with your nipple to encourage baby to open very wide, like a yawn. If your baby isn’t opening up, try to squeeze some colostrum, and later, milk, onto her lips. If your baby turns away, gently stroke the cheek on the side nearest you. The rooting reflex will make baby turn her head toward your breast.
Bring baby forward toward your breast once her mouth is open wide. Don't lean over and push your breast into baby’s mouth — let your baby take the initiative. Keep a hold of your breast until baby has a firm grasp and is suckling well. You’ll know you've got a proper latch when baby's chin and the tip of her nose are touching your breast. Baby’s lips will be flared outward, like fish lips, rather than tucked in. Check that your little one isn’t sucking on her own lower lip or tongue, newborns will suckle anything by pulling her lower lip down while nursing.
Watch for suckling, extracting colostrum or breast milk from your breast, not just sucking or gumming your nipple. If baby is suckling, you’ll see a strong, steady suck-swallow-breath pattern. You’ll also notice a rhythmic motion in baby’s cheek, jaw and ear. Once your milk comes in, listen for the sound of swallowing or gulping. You’ll know baby isn’t latched properly if you hear clicking noises.
If your baby is having trouble latching properly on - Break the suction carefully by gently inserting a clean finger into the corner of her mouth or by pressing on your breast near the mouth. Then begin the lip tickling anew and let her latch on again properly, with the nipple and the areola in the mouth.
3. How long to breastfeed?
While you may have heard that short feeds prevent soreness and cracking, that usually doesn’t come from feeding too long but from getting into a less-than-ideal position. So instead of setting time limits on each feed, let your sweetie take her time at the breast — and expect feedings to be long initially.
Sessions typically should last 20 to 30 minutes. But keep in mind, that’s on average. Your baby could take more or less time and need to feed for longer in the beginning and during growth spurts.
Drain one breast fully. Ideally, at least one breast should be well-drained at each feeding. This is more important than being sure baby feeds from both breasts, since hind milk — the last of the mature milk that baby feeds on is richer in fats and calories. So don’t pull the plug arbitrarily. Instead, wait until your baby seems ready to quit on breast one, then offer, but don’t force, breast two. If your baby drains one breast and doesn’t want any more, start with the other breast at the next feeding.
Wait for baby to signal he/she’s done. End the feeding by waiting for baby to let go of the nipple. If your baby doesn’t, you’ll know to end the feeding when the suck-swallow pattern slows down to around four sucks per one swallow. Often, your baby will fall asleep at the end of the first breast and either awaken to nurse from the second or sleep through until the next feeding.
4. How often to breastfeed?
Feeding babies when they’re hungry (on demand) rather than on a schedule is ultimately best for breastfeeding success. But since babies usually aren’t born hungry, their appetite generally picks up around the 3rd day, the chances are there won’t be much demand at first. Which means you may have to initiate — even push — at first.
A newborn should have at least eight to 12 feedings each 24 hours, even if demand isn’t up to that level yet, for the first few weeks. Break that down and you’ll probably be nursing every two to three hours, day and night, counting from the beginning of each nursing session.
Feeding patt -erns vary widely from baby to baby, however, so you might need to nurse a little more or less frequently. If you have a hungrier or more impatient infant on your hands, you may go little more than an hour between feedings; a more easily satisfied baby might be able to go for three-and-a-half to four hours. If you feel like you're nursing constantly, don't worry; it's temporary. As your milk supply increases and your baby gets bigger, the breaks between feedings will get longer.
Don't be concerned or surprised if your formula-feeding or supplementing friends say their newborns eat far less often. Breast milk is more easily digested than infant formula, allowing the tummies of nursing babies to empty faster & thirst for more sooner.
5. Breastfeeding positions -
Cradle hold: Position your baby so that her head rests in the bend of your elbow of the arm on the side you'll be breastfeeding, with the same hand supporting the rest of baby's body. Hold your breast with your opposite hand and compress it very gently so that the nipple points toward baby's nose.
Crossover hold: Hold your baby's head with the hand opposite to the breast you’ll be nursing from. For example, if nursing from the right breast, hold the head with your left hand. Using your free hand, cup your breast as you would for the cradle hold.
Football hold: Your baby's legs are tucked under your arm on the same side as the breast you're nursing from. Hold your baby with that arm on a pillow to lift her up, and use your other hand to cup your breast.
Side-lying position: A good position if you’re nursing in the middle of the night. Lie on your side with a pillow under your head. Baby should face you, head in line with your nipple. Use your hand on the side you’re not lying on to cup your breast if you need to. You may want to place a small pillow behind your baby’s back to hold her close.
Laid-back position (Biological nurturing): In this position, you lean back comfortably, semi-reclined, on a couch or bed with pillows supporting your upper back, neck and head. Place baby on you, tummy to tummy, lying on your chest in pretty much any direction that's comfortable, with the baby’s cheek on your breast. Your little one's weight will be supported by your reclining body. The idea with this nursing position is to take advantage of gravity and naturally let baby seek out your nipple, but you can also hold your breast and point it toward baby to encourage latching. This is a great breastfeeding position for newborns, babies who spit up a lot, and infants who are gassy or have ultra-sensitive stomachs. It also leaves your hands freer to cuddle with and caress your little cutie.
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What Are The Benefits Of Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding offers a variety of health benefits not only to an infant but also to the mother.
The benefits to the mother are as follows:
The benefits to the baby are as follows:
Breastfeeding During COVID19
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of misinformation around breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that "Transmission of active Covid-19 through breast milk and breastfeeding has not been detected to date. There is no reason to avoid or stop breastfeeding."
Further, a woman with confirmed or suspected Covid19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so by following few precautions. As per WHO, before breastfeeding, a mother should wash her hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. In case of unavailability of water, one can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol content. Also, she should always wear a mask during any contact with the baby, including while feeding.
What is World Breastfeeding Week?
Every year World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is commemorated as a symbolism of love and bond between the baby and the mom & is celebrated between 1st – 7th August in more than 120 countries in commemoration of the 1990 Innocenti Declaration. WBW started in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women & work, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, community support, ecology, economy, science, education & human rights.
Since 2016, WBW is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed WBW as an important breastfeeding promotion strategy.
Globally, only 38 % of infants aged 0 to 6 months are exclusively breastfed. Recent analyses indicate that suboptimal breastfeeding practices, including non-exclusive breastfeeding, contribute to 11.6 % of mortality in children under 5 years of age. This was equivalent to about 804,000 child deaths in 2011 (WHO/UNICEF). World Health Assembly (WHA) aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50% by 2025.
Globally, only 38 percent of infants aged 0 to 6 months are exclusively breastfed. Recent analyses indicate that suboptimal breastfeeding practices, including non-exclusive breastfeeding, contribute to 11.6 percent of mortality in children under 5 years of age. This was equivalent to about 804,000 child deaths in 2011 (WHO/UNICEF).
A recent report by POSHAN, provides an overview of national trends and of state-level variability in nutrition outcomes, determinants, and intervention coverage in India. Their analysis of the Exclusively Breast Feeding (EBF) trends shows that, over the last decade, the percentage of infants (under 6 months of age) who were exclusively breastfed in India increased from 46.4 % to 54.9 %.
The strategies to support exclusive breastfeeding should therefore address the multiple factors that contribute to exclusive breastfeeding including lack of knowledge and awareness, lack of support and time within the household, insufficient support from the health and nutrition programmes, maternity leave and/or maternity benefits, formula marketing, monitoring of the code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes, and more.
The Stigma Around Breastfeeding for Indian Women -
Today's girls are the mothers of the future. They should feel confident about the skin and their choice weather to cover or not, they should be proud of their bodies and mind and what they can do, that's why they are called the ‘supermoms’.
In a developing country like India there are lots of drawbacks that are attached to breastfeeding- myth, ancestral saying, lack of knowledge & awareness about the it.
Breastfeeding in a public place is a taboo & a woman’s breast is only seen as a sexualized object. But most of us do not realize what the mother might be going through and the importance of all that struggle. There are many mothers who restrict themselves behind the doors just because of this taboo.
This is the only scenario which we know a feeding mother might be going through but there are others which we are even not aware of, the mother having the fear of losing her job or being mocked at it can also cause a mental trauma because there is already enough that she is going through , ups and downs of feeding the child, coping up with her life as its the rebirth of a women to a mother with all the responsibility through trial and error she is learning
There is a dire need to remove stigma around breastfeeding in the Indian society.
Let's pledge that this breastfeeding week we reach out to all the mothers and other people who think this as a taboo and spread awareness about the benefits of it and give strength to not to give up because only the beginning is hard as “breastfeeding is not just feminist but a parental issue; a child feeding and human rights issue”.
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Disclaimer: This information should not be construed as a medical advice. Reader discretion is recommended.