Breastfeeding is, without a doubt, a challenging task! It is a learned skill that none of us, even babies are born, knowing how to do it. So, why is breastfeeding so highly recommended that the World Health Organization advises moms to breastfeed their children for at least six months and up to two years old? Therefore, today, let us go through some of the breastfeeding tips and benefits, especially for new moms.
Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies
Before we head onto the tips, let us get to know some of the breastfeeding benefits for the babies:
- Improving the cognitive development of newborns.
- Lower the chances of eczema, asthma, and food allergies.
- Improve dental health and reduce difficulties with tooth alignment.
- Infectious disorders such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, ear infection, respiratory tract illness, bacterial meningitis, and others.
Breastfeeding Benefits for Moms
After knowing the benefits for babies, here are some for the moms too:
- Helping mothers in losing weight.
- Lowering the chances of breast and ovarian cancer.
- Stimulating mommies’ bodies to manufacture antibodies in the milk, which helps the babies to stay healthy or recover quickly if they become ill.
- Creating a strong, long-lasting bond with your child. Especially if mommies keep engaged in the nursing process by touching, talking, singing, and maintaining eye contact.
Breastfeeding Tips and Benefits: The Tips!
Now that we have known some of the breastfeeding benefits, let us now focus on the tips that moms can practice as they begin their breastfeeding journey:
Solicit assistance right away.
- Usually, after delivery, mommies can obtain breastfeeding advice from maternity nurses or the hospital lactation specialist. They will usually assist on how to position the babies and ensure that they latch on properly.
- Begin by getting comfortable, and if necessary, support yourself with pillows! Then cradle the baby close to your breast, trying to keep your baby as close to your skin as possible.
- With one hand, support the baby’s head while the other supports your breast. To encourage your baby’s mouth to open, tickle his lower lip with your nipple. The baby will take charge of the darker area around the nipple.
- The baby’s tongue will then be cupped under your breast, and your nipple will be far back in the mouth. At this stage, mommies can try to look for a pattern of sucking and swallowing that is rhythmic.
- Finally, simply release the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth if you need to remove the baby from your breast.
Allow your baby to set the pace.
- Most newborns breastfeed every two to three hours for the first few weeks. Signs such as stirring, restlessness, sucking motions, and lip movements need to be supervised by mommies as they indicate the baby’s hunger.
- Allow your baby to latch thoroughly from the first breast until it feels soft. Approximately 15 to 20 minutes. However, that there is no predetermined time because each woman progresses differently at her own pace.
- Burping the baby is the next step. Mommies may then attempt to offer the second breast. Your baby will latch on if he or she is still hungry. If not, simply switch to the second breast for the next breastfeeding session.
- If the infant refuses to latch on the second breast, mothers may relieve the pressure through breast pumping. This will also help to secure the baby’s milk supply!
Take care of your nipples.
- Breastfeeding is amazing, but taking care of your nipples after breastfeeding is crucial too! It is fine to let the milk dry naturally on your nipple after each feeding. Your nipples will be soothed by the milk. However, if you are in a rush, pat your nipple gently to allow drying. Use bra pads if your breasts leak between feedings and change them frequently.
- Also, minimize the quantity of soap, shampoo, and other cleansers that come into touch with your nipples when bathing. This can aid in the prevention of cracked nipples as well as the retention of moisture in your nipples.
Breastfeeding Tips and Benefits: Good Luck!
We really hope our breastfeeding tips and benefits will help you out! It’s okay if, at times, breastfeeding tends to be more difficult than you anticipated. Just don’t give up! It can be exhausting to breastfeed a newborn every few hours, but keep in mind that the more you breastfeed your baby, the more milk your breasts will produce! All in all, we wish all moms and expectant moms a smooth journey into motherhood. We really hope our breastfeeding tips and benefits will help you in the near future. Whatever you do, just know that you are all amazing moms!
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