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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : January 27, 2019 12:26 PM IST
To produce enough breast milk, ensure you have sufficient calories, including foods rich in nutrients. During and after feedings, gently burp them to help them release any swallowed air, reducing discomfort and potential spit-up.
Breastfeeding is vital for your baby. It offers many health benefits to your baby and helps him/her fight cold. But it can be a painful and stressful experience for some moms. They may experience sore, cracked or bleeding nipples, breast engorgement, oversupply or low supply of breast milk, reflux and mastitis (blocked milk ducts). "Furthermore it is also important to know about how to breastfeed a baby with the help of a correct technique. Due to the faulty method/technique, new moms may suffer from back pain, experience engorgement of breast and fever. Also, your baby may suffer from frequent neonatal infection, poor weight gain and less emotional attachment," says Dr Peeyoosh Rankhamb, Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatology, Motherhood Hospital, Navi Mumbai.
Breastfeeding Positions
"Any position that is comfortable to the mother can be opted for keeping in mind that her back should be supported," says Rankhamb. There are many ways a mother can hold a baby for feeding, which include - modified cradle position, side-lying position (it is a common myth that mother should not breastfeed the baby in lying down position which is not correct.) Provided that these four signs of good attachments should be fulfilled.
1. Baby s mouth wide open
2. Chin touching to breast
3. The areola is visible above, then below the mouth
4. The lower lip is turned outward
In all the positions, the baby s whole body should face the mother, the baby s head and neck should be supported in a straight line with his body and should face the breast. A good attachment at the breast ensures enough production, release and flow of milk to the baby. Baby should be put on mother s abdomen or chest within 30 minutes of birth, it keeps baby warm and provides an opportunity for the baby to suckle at the breast. Early sucking ensures the strong emotional bond between the mother and the baby.
Know when your baby is hungry
"Mother should be encouraged to identify hunger cues. If your baby is sucking on his fist rooting, turning head towards the breast, searching for breast then it is time to feed your small one. Feed your baby promptly rather than allowing the baby to cry for a feed. Fast feeders are the babies who empty the breast in 5-6 minutes, while slow feeders may take 15 - 20 minutes. Allow your baby to feed at the breast for as long as he/she wants. This satisfies your baby's need for thirst and hunger. When the baby releases the first breast spontaneously, the mother should offer the second breast. A satisfied baby will not feed at second breast," says Dr Rankhamb.
Help your baby burp after breastfeeding
After nursing, the baby must be helped to burp, as all baby swallows some air while sucking. This can be achieved by holding the baby erect over the mother s shoulder or by sitting up the baby on mother s lap and patting or rubbing the baby on back. If this is not done the excessive air in the stomach can cause regurgitation, vomiting and if the air reaches the intestine it can cause discomfort.
The take-away message: "Due to low birth weight of the baby, a temporary illness like infection, oral thrush, nasal obstruction due to congestion and son, can be experienced which have to be to addressed by the expert at the right time," warns Dr Rankhamb.
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