Breastfeeding: The Best Way of Nourishing the Baby part 3

The Art of Breastfeeding

These are the techniques which will guide you in correctly positioning and latching on your baby during feeding sessions.

• Relax and position yourself. Once you find your favorite place, relax and be comfortable. Sit down on the bed, on a chair or a rocking chair which ever makes you more relax. Use a foot stool to keep your knees higher than your hips.
• Hold your baby. Hold your baby in your arm and let her neck rest in the bend of your elbow. Your forearm will provide support to your baby’s back while your hand into her buttocks.
• You need to ensure that your baby is facing on the side to your tummy. This will prevent the baby from straining his neck or turning his head just to reach your nipple.
• Raise your baby towards your breast. A good set of pillow will help you support your baby.
• You can hold the baby’s arms or wrap around you. This position is known as the cradle hold or the most basic position.
• After positioning correctly, hold your breast using your four fingers and offer your breast to your baby.
• To properly latch your baby, tickle your baby’s lips or wait until the mouth is open wide like yawning before offering your nipple. You need to check if the baby takes the nipple and sucks the areola. To validate, check if your baby’s nose and chin are touching your breast. You can also hear your baby swallowing milk.
•  If you find the baby’s suction is concentrated on the nipple section only, you need to reposition your baby by removing the suction through inserting your finger to your baby’s mouth and latch-on.
• You can also feed your baby when you are lying down on the bed.  It is the same as the cradle hold position but the only difference is the baby and the mother are lying on the sides facing each other. This is known as the side lying position.
• Football or clutch hold is another breastfeeding position available. This is an effective breastfeeding positions if you have caesarean delivery or if you have twins. You can sit up on the bed or chair and use a pillow to support your arm. Lay your baby on his back while using your hand to support the head and your forearm for your baby’s body. Ensure your baby’s feet are tucked under your arm and follow the same latch on technique.

May the above steps aid you in successfully breastfeeding your baby. Don’t be discouraged, it will take a lot of patience and practice in order to achieve the desired breastfeeding position and to properly latch-on your bundle of joy. When you are in doubt, ask and never give up. 

Breastfeeding: The Best Way of Nourishing the Baby part 2

Breastfeeding Preparation

Below are ways to assist you in breastfeeding your baby joyfully and successfully.

• Prepare and commit yourself. As early as conception, you need to prepare yourself with this new role physically and emotionally. Breastfeeding is a commitment to your baby because there are days it will test your patience and perseverance.
• Look and ask for help. Joining breastfeeding support group and talking to friends who are in the same situation will aid you in understanding your new role. They will be able to provide you first hand information and tips regarding your feeding choices.
• Make sure you are comfortable. In every breastfeeding sessions, select your desired place and position. This will prevent you of having muscle pains and back ache. Furthermore, you can also wear comfortable clothes, play a relaxing music and dim the lights during feeding sessions to promote cosy and relaxing atmosphere.
• Preparedness is the key. To avoid any distractions during feeding sessions, you need to ensure the baby and your things are near like: a wash cloth or burping pad will keep the baby clean while snacks and refreshments will keep you hydrated. 
• Watch your diet. Breastfeeding women need to eat healthy food and drink lots of fluid. Remember you are nourishing your baby. You need to avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine and drugs. But when in doubt, you can ask your doctor, your midwife or health consultant for guidance.
• Savor the moment. Feeding sessions are your exclusive time with your baby. This is the best time to talk, tell a story or sing a song to your baby. Touching your baby will also help and provide comfort to your little one.
• Learn the techniques of latching and proper positions. These skills will aid you in successfully feeding your baby and encouraging enjoyable feeding sessions.

Breastfeeding: The Best Way of Nourishing the Baby part 1

Since I failed to meet the target deadline for the submission of my article, I decided to post this on Mommsy's haven and serves as a guide to new moms, expecting moms or any mothers who are currently breastfeeding their babies.

Mother’s milk is the best for the baby. It is specifically develop to meet the demands of the new member of the family. However, breastfeeding is not an easy way of feeding an infant.

In the early weeks, you will be challenged and tempted to almost quit. Thus, it will result to the easier way of feeding your infant, the bottle feeding. But once you realize the benefits it can give to the baby, to the mother and even to the entire family, you will start striving and learning to master the art of breastfeeding. This will help you to learn ways to make your breastfeeding journey a smooth sailing one.

Here are the benefits of breastfeeding to the baby.

•       Breastfeeding provides the required nutrition and strengthens the baby’s immune system. It contains everything he needed to become healthy and strong during the first 6 months of life.

•       Breastfeeding aids the baby’s brain development. Mother’s milk contains fats like DHA, ARA and omega 3. These fats boost the baby’s brain development.

•       Breast milk promotes easier digestion. It prevents upset stomach, constipation, diarrhoea and other intestinal infections resulting to healthy and happy baby.  

•       It lowers the risk of allergy, diabetes, high blood and high cholesterol later in life.

•       It promotes better dental alignment.

Benefits for the mother

•       Breastfeeding strengthens your bond with your baby. It promotes relaxation to both mother and infant.

•       Breastfeeding also helps you to reduce weight and regain your preconception shape faster. The extra stored fats in your body are converted to breast milk for your baby.

•       Breastfeeding reduces the chance of depression. Thus, it will help you to enjoy the life of motherhood.

•       It promotes healthier mother because it lessens the risk of various cancers like ovarian, uterine and breast.  It also minimizes the risk of osteoporosis in later life.