Breastfeeding creates a bond between a mother and a baby that is unmatched. However, there are so many problems that can arise during breastfeeding. At www.thehealthsite.com, we get queries from distressed mothers asking if their child is getting enough milk, what to eat, what to avoid while breastfeeding and more. Our expert panelist, Effath Yasmin, an international board certified lactation consultant helps answer some of these:
How can I prepare for breastfeeding before the birth of my child? Does anything I do or not do affect breastfeeding?
There is very little you need to do to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding during your pregnancy as current research evidence confirms it. However, you will need to prepare for breastfeeding. To understand this difference it helps to recognize that labour and birth are events in life while breastfeeding is an ongoing integral part of your life. Breastfeeding is a relationship with your baby and therefore calls for commitment and protection. Therefore your choice of birth experience has a profound effect on breastfeeding. Safe and natural birth experience provides a bonding environment for breastfeeding to thrive.
The child isn't breastfeeding post birth. What could be the reason?
Birth experiences that lead to mother Baby separation and suppression of suck and swallowing reflexes of a newborn baby due to induced labour, caesarean birth, prolonged labour, instrumental birth such as forceps and vacuum can lead to difficult start to breastfeeding.
Till when should I ideally breastfeed my baby and how many times a day?
Most breastfeeding association and organizations in the world such as World Health Organisation (WHO), Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), La Leche League International (LLLL) categorically agree on minimum breastfeeding for the first 2 years of life.
During the first six months of life, a baby is expected to breastfeed 10 to 12 times a day exclusively. Once solids have been introduced at about six months, mother's milk still remains the primary food until the baby turns one year of age. Therefore it is important to know the introduction of solids is a supplementation and not replacement to baby feeds at mother's breast until one year of life.
What foods should I eat and what should I avoid when I am breastfeeding?
Most foods are safe during breastfeeding. A well balanced diet is beneficial not just for breastfeeding but the overall wellness and health as a mother. There is no specific food that needs to be avoided by the mother.
It is a good idea to begin to work on healing and improving digestion well before pregnancy to create a nourishing microbial environment for your baby. Recognizing common yet unrecognized food sensitivities such as gluten and dairy sensitivity among others in you and your family will go a long way in the process of improving digestion in the gut healing process which can prevent common infant complaints such as colic, incessant crying, reflux, poor sleep, allergies and eczema.
Certain herbs like sage, peppermint and certain medications such as over-the-counter medications for common cold, contraceptive pills can reduce milk supply and should be avoided during breastfeeding.
I am working and am out for 8-10 hours a day. What do I do about breastfeeding?
With planning, commitment and supportive working atmosphere, many mothers continue to breastfeeding their babies while working. Breastfeeding provides a warm essential bond between you and your baby which you will look forward to when you return from work. You will need to learn and plan how to perform 'milk expression' and store it.
My child wants to breastfeed all the time. Please help!
Many babies go through short phases of growth spurts where they need to connect more frequently with the mother and the need to breastfeed or just suckle increases during these phases. This does not indicate reduced milk supply as often misunderstood by mothers.
My milk doesn't seem to be sufficient for my child. What do I do?
New mothers understandably find it really hard to trust easily in a process they cannot measure. Concerns about low milk supply are the most common concern of a new mother. Learning to recognize perceived milk supply issues from true milk supply issues is essential for a mother to gain confidence. It is often essential to know the signs of good milk transfer once positioning and latch is established with the baby. Certain signs which could indicate adequate feeding include a good amount of urine output (7 to 8 really wet cloth diapers or 5 to 6 heavy disposable diapers), regular bowel movements (3 to 4 per day) and adequate weight gain (approximately 150 to 200 gm per week).
Connecting with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Certified Lactation Counselor or a La Leche League Leader can help you recognize and take steps to protect and increase milk supply when you feel unsure about it.
When should I ideally wean my child? How?
Breastfeeding is a relationship between the mother and her baby therefore weaning is an interactive process too. It helps to understand that sucking is a necessary biological restorative for babies and growing children. Therefore weaning anytime after recommended first two years of baby's life will be dependent on every mother-baby pair. The baby however can be trusted to wean himself or herself when all needs to nurse for nutrition, security, positive hormonal releases, bonding and togetherness are completely met. This is called baby- led weaning. In case a mother wishes to wean, there are gentle and thoughtful ways of weaning such as replacing breastfeeding sessions with other bonding activities so the process of weaning is gentle both on mother and baby.
I have just adopted a baby. Can I breastfeed? How?
Yes, breastfeeding can be initiated and established for many adoptive mothers. This is called Induced lactation. It is a good idea to plan ahead of the adoption process as this helps to follow lactation induction protocol to initiate and to increase milk supply by the time baby is ready to join your family. Frequent breast stimulation along with supportive herbs or medications is used to induce lactation.
You can meet Sonali Shivlani, Effath Yasmin and Dr Zinal Unadkat, experts in the field of pre- and ante-natal counseling at an enlightening prenatal workshop 'Baby on Board' organized by DNA on the 10th of February at Hotel Courtyard Marriot, Andheri East, Mumbai. To get invited, sms DNA PN <your name> <location> to 575758. Alternatively, send a mail to prenatal@dnaindia.net or visit www.dnaindia.com/prenatal.
