Olivia Barredo
June 27, 2023

The act of feeding a newborn with breast milk generated by the mother's body is known as breastfeeding. Because it has the optimal ratio of nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes to promote a baby's growth and development, breast milk is the best source of nourishment for babies. It develops a robust immune system, is readily absorbed, and offers long-term health advantages. 

What is Breastfeeding?

Is the practice of giving a mother's breast milk to her infant, either directly from the breast or by expressing (pump-out) the milk from the breast and giving it to the child in a bottle. Calories and nutrients, including macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbs) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), are given to a baby through breastfeeding and breast milk.

Why is it Important to Breastfeed a Baby?

Breast milk gives newborns the best nourishment possible, protects their immune systems, and supports their healthy growth and development. This makes breastfeeding crucial. It also improves the relationship between the mother and the child, lowers the risk of illnesses and infections, and is good for both parties' long-term health. In this article we will be discussing what to expect, how long should moms breastfeed a baby, benefits, and breastfeeding positions.

What to Expect When You Start Breastfeeding?

There are various things to anticipate when you start nursing. Your body will adjust, so at first you could experience some slight discomfort or soreness. But with time, things ought to become better. Given that breast milk is quickly absorbed, your infant will probably nurse often. You can see that your infant successfully suckles milk from your breast thanks to a strong latch. It's typical for babies to suckle for varied amounts of time and to follow erratic eating schedules. Your breasts produce colostrum, an early milk that is rich in nutrients before mature milk is produced. Expect to observe more dirty and wet diapers, which shows that your baby is getting adequate nutrition. 

How Long Should I Breastfeed My Baby

For the first six months of a baby's life, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises exclusively breastfeeding. The infant solely consumes breast milk during this time and no other liquids or solid meals, except any supplements that are medically required. The WHO recommends continued nursing while introducing complementary meals until the child is at least two years old or older after six months. 

 

However, the length of breastfeeding is a personal choice that may be influenced by several variables, including the requirements of the mother and the infant, way of life, and cultural customs. 

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Both moms and newborns can benefit greatly from breastfeeding. Here are a few significant benefits of breastfeeding:

 

1. Nutritional demand:  Breast milk is formulated especially to satisfy newborns' nutritional demands. To support healthy growth and development, it contains vital nutrients, antibodies, enzymes, and hormones. As a baby develops, the breast milk's composition adjusts to meet its changing nutritional needs.

 

2. Immunological System Boost Antibodies and immunological cells: found in breast milk help prevent newborns from a variety of ailments, including allergies, gastrointestinal infections, ear infections, and allergies. The immune systems of breastfed infants tend to be stronger, and they are less likely to contract certain infections.

 

3. Constipation and diarrhea: are less likely to occur in breastfed babies since breast milk is simple for them to digest. It also has probiotics, which help maintain a balanced microbiota in the stomach and improve digestion and nutritional absorption.

 

4. Bonding and Emotional Connection Breastfeeding: fosters mother-infant bonds by allowing for close physical touch, eye contact, and skin-to-skin contact. The child's emotional health can gain long-term advantages from this caring experience, since it builds a deep emotional bond.

 

5. Reduced chance of Chronic Diseases:  Babies who are breastfed have a decreased chance of later-life development of certain chronic illnesses, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, asthma, allergies, and some types of pediatric cancer.

While breastfeeding has many advantages, it's vital to remember that every person's situation is different. For some women, obstacles or medical issues make nursing challenging or impossible. In these situations, alternate nutrition choices should be investigated in cooperation with medical experts.

Breastfeeding Position 

 

Here are a few positions for breastfeeding that women may employ to successfully and comfortably feed their infants following are succinct descriptions of typical breastfeeding positions:

1. Cradle hold

•  On the same side as the breast being used for feeding, the mother cradles the infant in her arms with the baby's head resting in the crook of her elbow. The infant's torso is facing the mother, who is holding the infant's neck and shoulders in place with her hand.

 

2. Cross-Cradle Hold

• Comparable to the cradle hold, but with the mother's and the child's bodies in opposite positions. The mother supports the baby's head and shoulders using the arm that is opposite the breast being used for feeding.

 

3. Football Hold

• Baby is tucked beneath the mother's arm like a football. The mother lifts the infant's body to the breast from the side while supporting the infant's head with her hand. For moms who have a cesarean section or for infants who have trouble latching onto the breast, this posture can be helpful.

 

4. Side-Lying Position

• Mother and baby are both in the side-lying position, with the mother's side towards the infant. In particular, while feeding at night, the infant's mouth is brought to the breast, providing a cozy and relaxing feeding position.

 

5. Laid- Back Position

•  the mother lies on her back, either fully or partially reclined, with the infant resting on her chest or belly. The infant is free to choose a relaxed latch and feed as quickly or slowly as they choose.

Breastfeeding to Both Moms and Babies

The benefits of breastfeeding include good nutrition, illness prevention, the development of the brain, and intestinal health. “Breastfeeding is a must”, it encourages mother-child relationships, supports postpartum healing, lowers the risk of illness, and provides convenience. To get advice on choosing a feeding strategy, speak with healthcare specialists.

References:

NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.-a). https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/breastfeeding

Department of Health. Why is Breastfeeding Important for your Baby? (n.d.). https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/breastfeeding/importance.htm

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Breastfeeding. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding

WebMD. (n.d.). The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics