Most people think that breastfeeding comes to mothers naturally. However, this is not entirely true. Post childbirth, the mother s body undergoes a lot of changes that can make breastfeeding difficult. This doesn't mean that one should give up on breastfeeding. Mothers who undergo a C-section or IVF might have problems with their breastfeeding. Stress, hormonal imbalances and fatigue can lead to latching problems or interfere with breast milk production. Many mothers who deliver through IVF face such issues with breastfeeding post childbirth. Here, Dr Teena S Thomas, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Apollo Cradle, Bangalore offers some tips for IVF-moms to make breastfeeding an easy experience.
Avoid stress - It is normal to feel stressed after childbirth, especially if it is your first pregnancy. But stress at this time could hamper breastfeeding. So do everything that you can to remain calm and relaxed after childbirth and while you are trying to establish the right latch to ensure smooth breastfeeding. Take a bath with essential oils, mediate or just sit back and relax to be stress-free. Remember, a stressful mum will often find it difficult to lactate or even help the baby latch on correctly.
Take a break often - While suckling helps to produce milk at the breasts, sitting for long hours with the baby at your breast can only make it more stressful and again interfere with breast milk production. Know that motherhood or breastfeeding isn t a 24/7 job. Once you have offered a feed to your child, allow the milk glands to produce more milk for the next feeding session. If your child keeps on suckling frequently, production of milk could be hampered. Instead, after a feeding session, hand your baby to your spouse or a relative, sit back and relax. This will help you lactate well.
Take your folic acid pills - One way to improve lactation is to load up on folic acid. Yes, you read it right; folic acid is not just needed during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding. However, don t self-medicate. Talk to your doctor to know if you need supplements. For some mothers, taking a folic acid pill helps to establish lactation without much fuss.
Choose your foods correctly - What you eat influences your breast milk production. It is natural that staying awake through the night and constant changing of diapers takes all the energy out of you. But that doesn t mean you compromise on your health. Eat right and try to have a balanced diet, stay hydrated and drink lots of water. All these things help to boost milk production and help a mother get on with breastfeeding.
Get help - Sometimes even after doing everything right you might not be able to breastfeed improper latching, low milk production--anything can go wrong. Don t fret; this is the time you should visit a doctor or talk to a lactation expert to get things moving. A little help from experts can help you tackle breastfeeding hurdles effectively.
Image source: Shutterstock
