Lactation Support
Breastfeeding: Bonding With Your Baby
Breastfeeding Is Beneficial To Both You And Your Baby. Your Breasts Will Fill With Milk (Turning Warmer And Firmer) Approximately Two To Five Days After You Give Birth. At First, Breastfeeding May Be Difficult Or Intimidating, But It Is One Of The Best Things You Can Do For Your Child.
Benefits For Your Baby:
Increased Protection Against Infections, Asthma, Allergies, And Diabetes
Easier Digestion And Decreased Likeliness Of Stomach Upset
Enhanced Brain Development
Lower Chance Of Obesity Later In Life
Sense Of Bonding, Comfort, And Security From Mother
Benefits For You:
Higher Likelihood To Return To Your Pre-Pregnancy Weight And Reduced Risk For Long-Term Obesity
Faster Postpartum Recovery And Reduced Risk Of Postpartum Bleeding
Increased Closeness And Bonding With Baby
Decreased Chance Of Developing Breast And Ovarian Cancers And Osteoporosis
More Cost Efficiency And Convenience
Breastfeeding Techniques
Exercise And Maintaining A Healthy Weight Are Encouraged While You Breastfeed. Because What You Eat And Drink Can Be Passed Down To Your Baby Through Breast Milk, It Is Recommended That You Do Not Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding. You Should Limit Your Caffeine Consumption While Breastfeeding, Or Feed Your Child More Than An Hour After You Have Caffeine.
Clues That Your Baby Is Ready To Feed:
Thrusting His Or Her Tongue Against Her Bottom Gum (Rooting)
Smacking His Or Her Lips
Lifting His Or Her Hands Toward The Mouth
Rapidly Fluttering Eyes While His Or Her Eyes Are Shut
Crying Is A Very Late Cue That Your Baby Needs Feeding, Be Sure To Calm Him Or Her Before You Attempt Breastfeeding
Make Sure Both You And Your Baby Are In A Supportive, Comfortable Position For Feeding With Your Baby's Head And Body Level With Your Breast And Your Arm Under His Or Her Back For Support. Once Your Baby Latches Onto Your Whole Nipple And Areole You Should Not Hear Any Clicking Or Smacking Sounds During The Feeding.
Complications To Watch Out For While Breastfeding:
If You Develop Blisters, Bruises, Or Cracks On Your Nipples, Your Baby Is Not Positioning Or Latching Properly. Do Not Use Lotion Or Soap And Water; Instead Rubbing Your Nipples With The Colostrums/Breast Milk That You Excrete After Feedings Will Condition Your Nipples And Protect Them From Bacteria.
If You Develop Breast Engorgement (Hard, Painful, Swollen Breasts) Establish Early, Frequent Feedings 8 To 12 Times In A 24 Hour Period And Do Not Go Three Hours Without Breastfeeding Or Pumping.
Breast Pumping Techniques
At Times (If Your Baby Is Premature Or You Are Returning To Work), You May Need To Use A Device To Electronically Pump Your Breasts For Milk. Do Not Get Overly Anxious If You Do Not Produce Much Milk From Your First Attempts At Pumping; Stress And Exhaustion Can Inhibit Your "Let Down" Reflex.