One of the first changes new mothers experience after the birth of their children is breastfeeding. They must be aware of the fundamental do’s and don’ts that will guide them on their new path.
The following are a few things every new mother should be aware of.
Do’s
- Your baby should be breastfed as soon as possible after birth.
- The milk produced in the first two or three days after delivery is known as “colostrum.” Even if the supply is limited, the food it contains is rich in nutrients, provides protection, and is more than enough for a newborn.
- Every two hours, give your baby a drink of milk. It doesn’t matter if the milk is flowing slowly or is completely stopped; keep trying.
- Always stay hydrated. This is the most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy milk supply. Don’t be impatient; it will take time. A new skill is being learned; no one is an expert on their first day of practice. It takes some time to get into a groove.
- For the first six months of your baby’s life, all you should give them is breast milk. This is known as breastfeeding exclusively.
- Breastfeed your baby after a warm bath because it helps improve the flow of milk.
- If you need to breastfeed your baby in public, request some space for yourself. Remember that if you’re in a bad mood, your baby won’t be able to get the nutrition it needs.
- Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of wet and soiled diapers in the first few weeks after bringing your baby home. A lactation consultant is the best person to turn to for advice, rather than a pediatrician.
- Take in enough protein, fruits, and vegetables to maintain a healthy weight. Avoid overeating because you only need an additional 300 calories a day. Also, reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages and hot sauces because what you eat will be passed on to your child.
- Feeding times should be kept to a strict schedule. Don’t be late. There’s no need to delay the feeding even if your baby doesn’t cry for it.
- Before starting the feeding, make sure the diaper is changed. Studies have shown that clean and dry diapers help newborns take their feeds better. They’re more at ease in their own skin.
- Your baby’s mouth should be filled with the nipple and the area around the nipple, known as the areola. The movement of your baby’s tongue on the areola stimulates milk flow.
- When your baby is hungry, don’t hesitate to feed them, no matter where you are. You and your child’s ability to gain weight at a healthy rate may be negatively affected by nursing restrictions that limit your milk supply.
- Before introducing a bottle to your baby, ensure that breastfeeding has been established for a while. A six-week wait is recommended by lactation consultants, followed by paced bottle feeding in the beginning. Produced nipples differ greatly from your natural ones, which can cause “nipple confusion.”
Don’ts
- Don’t rely on anyone else when it comes to any breastfeeding questions. A GP’s prescription is required to consume any medication or pain relievers.
- Be careful not to start breastfeeding if you are in a bad mood. It’s one of the most frequently overlooked tips. This is a process that relies heavily on your state of mind. In the event of a low mood, your baby will be able to pick up on it, affecting your milk supply.
- Before the first breastfeeding, do not give glucose, jaggery, sugar, plain water, or honey.
- Nurse as soon as your baby begins to cry. Angry children find it difficult to concentrate. You can’t overfeed on breast milk, so offer it as often as your baby needs. Eventually, you’ll be able to tell when they are getting hungry.
- Slow down and enjoy your meals. For the first year of your child’s life, breast milk will keep them satisfied and provide the nutrients necessary for growth. However, a mother’s milk composition changes to meet a child’s specific nutritional needs each day.
- Smoking a cigarette while you’re breastfeeding is not recommended. Smoking cigarettes is a bad habit that should be avoided. Your baby’s health would be at risk if you gave up smoking during pregnancy because you knew it was harmful.
- Unless you cannot breastfeed due to illness, you should not discontinue breastfeeding. Keep pumping even if you must stop for a short time due to medication side effects. The milk can be thrown away, but you should keep the breasts accustomed to producing so that breastfeeding can resume when you’re well again. The mechanism can be difficult to restart if you haven’t breastfed or pumped in a while.
- Breast milk production may be affected if you consume spicy foods or foods with a strong flavor. So make sure not to consume extremely spicy foods.
