Breastfeeding Basics

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Mother's milk is best for baby! The composition is perfect for baby's developmental needs.
It is also the most convenient "fast food" we can think of: always at hand without having to warm it up or sterilize unnecessary feeding equipment and it is also the cheapest kind of food.
No wonder the World Health Organisation promotes breastfeeding with the slogan "Breast is Best".
It is recommended to breastfeed for a minimum of 6 months to give baby the best start in life.
This will greatly reduce the risk of SIDS, help reduce the risk of allergies in later life, support baby's physical maturation and it will help develop a strong immune system.
How to get started Whether you decide to give birth in hospital or at home, your midwife is trained to help you get started with confidence.
Right after baby's arrival he is put to the breast.
This is important because baby's sucking reflex is strongest in the first hour after delivery.
Baby starts to suck on the nipple automatically because this is an inborn reflex.
When looking at earlier ultrasound scans you may even be able to see your baby sucking his thumb.
This shows you how early this reflex naturally develops! As soon as baby starts to suck at the breast, the hormone oxytocin is released which is responsible for the milk flow.
During the first days after baby's birth, mother's milk is yellowish and has a unique composition: it is very high in protein, vitamins, minerals and has less fat.
So-called colostrum is particularly good for baby's underdeveloped gestational system.
Colostrum is also very high in antibodies which help keep baby's immune system prepared to cope with the outside world.
After a few days, mother's milk changes to eventually increase the caloric intake of the baby with a higher proportion of carbohydrates and fat.
This change in composition is essential for baby's growth.
Baby's routine Every feed fills up the infant in two ways: the foremilk is more watery to satisfy baby's initial thirst; the longer the baby is fed the fattier the milk becomes.
This is a gradual change and helps to slowly fill up the baby with an increase in caloric intake.
There is no reason to give baby a supplement of herbal tea or boiled water during the first six months! Studies have shown that such supplement can actually endanger the smooth breastfeeding process because the decrease in baby's demand may cause mother's milk to reduce as well.
Baby's feeding routine is very individual and changes with his growth.
A newborn may want to be fed between 8 and 12 times in a 24 hour cycle.
As baby feeds more often, more milk is produced and if baby is allowed to fully empty a breast, eventually a 3 to 4 hour rhythm can be established.
As baby goes through different growth spurts his feeding needs will change accordingly.
He may suddenly want to feed far more than he used to which can be exceedingly tiring for mother.
Once the milk supply increases (due to baby's increased sucking) a routine will slowly be built up again.
An average feeding session takes about 25 to 30 minutes; however, depending on the baby it can take up to 45 minutes.
The infant will know what he needs so it is advisable to let him feed for as long as necessary.
Baby takes in as much as he needs and cannot overfeed himself.
Breastfeeding is all about you and your baby! Be relaxed and take your time to respond to your baby's needs.
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