With the right start you can really help set your child up with a healthy body for later life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exclusive breastfeeding is necessary up to six months of age, and it is best for mums and babies if continued with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age and beyond. Breastfeeding is still the best way to feed your baby.
Getting Started With Breastfeeding
The most ideal thing to do first is to consult your health care provider. This is a good time to discuss your concerns and questions about breastfeeding your newborn. It is perfect to start breastfeeding shortly after birth because without the stimulation of breastfeeding, the ability of your breasts to produce milk reduces soon after giving birth.
What Is Colostrum?
It is yellowish, sticky breast milk released during the first three days after delivery. It is rich in antibodies, vitamins, and immune system cells that protect newborn from certain health problems and other common childhood illnesses. It also contains Lactobacillus bifidus factor, necessary for the growth of Lactobacillus bifidus, a good bacteria found in the intestines that protects the body from potentially toxic bacteria in the intestine.
In addition, colostrums speed up the excretion of meconium, the first stool passed by newborn after birth. It is suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the best food for your newborn, and breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth.
Breast Milk Facts
Women who are healthy should try to breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months of life.
• If breastfeeding is well established, your baby’s natural energy and water reserves are enough to support the infant for the first week of his life.
• The milk coming from the mother almost watery and thin in appearance and sometimes has a slight bluish tinge.
• The proteins found in a mother’s milk forms light curd, soft in the infant’s stomach and are easily digestible.
• Breast milk has a long chain of omega-3 fatty acids, such as docohexaenoic acid (DHA). This fatty acid is used for the synthesis of tissue in the brain, eyes and nervous system.
• Its lipids have a high amount of cholesterol and linoleic acid needed for brain development.
• It may also help mums’ health. There are types of cancer that may occur less often in women who feed their babies with their breast milk.
• Breast milk completely satisfies the nutritional and fluid demands of your baby.
• Giving a bottle of water, fruit juices and sugar solution is unnecessary. This can cause a reduction in your baby’s sucking capacity and increases risk to infection.
When Is The Right Time For Breastfeeding?
Of course, you have to feed your baby as long as he wants or whenever he’s hungry. This could mean you have to feed him up to every two to three hours a day and approximately, you can breastfeed the baby 8 to 12 times a day. In addition, alternate the breast you begin with at each feeding.