Posted by Jacques on Jul 15, 2008 in Breastfeeding, Parenting, Pregnancy | 1 comment
Breastfeeding can be a deeply fulfilling experience, creating a strong bond between you and your baby. However learning the technique and how to, takes practice for baby and yourself. The more you breastfeed the easier it gets!!
Breastfed babies are the best. The nourishment babies get is tailor-made and the nutrients they need is in the exact amounts, it contains antibodies that will protect them from illnesses and infection and will protect them against allergy related conditions like asthma and eczema.
Your milk will start coming in just a few days after your baby is born, but before then, will be a liquid called colostrum, which is a clear golden yellow fluid. Here follows a few tips for breastfeeding:
For the first few weeks your baby will require a lot of your time, so they will need to be fed quite often. You might be spending about 10 to 20 minutes on a breast. They will obviously let you know when they are hungry. A debate could start on feeding on demand, but doing this will keep your baby happy, and will help to establish your milk supply. Let them empty each breast before you switch sides, interestingly if they are taken off too soon, they will feed only on watery “foremilk” instead of the rich “hindmilk”. Also alternate which breast to start on, this can also help the milk supply.
Lastly, look after yourself. Eat healthy and well balanced meals. Get plenty of rest and accept offers of help when your baby is asleep. As you get the hang of breastfeeding, you will realize that you can do it any time.
BabyRUs
There is some great advice here that really helped me during the first few days:
Breastfeeding