About this topic
Breast milk is a natural food source for babies. Breast milk gives nutrition that baby formula cannot always give. Breast milk has: ‚
- The right amount of fat, protein, sugars, starches, digestive enzymes, and minerals
- Hormones that are passed from the mother to the baby
- Antibodies that can fight germs and problems like gas, loose stools, and hard stools
General
- A good feeding position will help your baby get the most amount of milk.
- Sit on a chair or lie on your side in a bed to stay comfortable.
- Cradle your baby in your arms. Turn your babys body toward your body. Support your baby's head.
- Wet the nipple with a few drops of milk. Cup the breast towards your baby's mouth. Brush the nipple on the baby's mouth.
- When your baby's mouth opens, place the nipple inside the mouth. Your baby will take in most of the areola.
- Move the breast so your baby's nose is not covered.
- Hold your breast while feeding.
- After feeding, place a finger into the corner of your baby's mouth. Placing your finger in the corner of your baby's mouth will help your baby let go of the breast and avoid injury to the nipple.
- Talk with a lactation consultant about any feeding questions you may have.
What will the results be?
Both the mother and the baby benefit from breastfeeding. ‚
Benefits for the baby are: ‚
- Proper weight gain
- Easier digestion
- Lower risk of health problems like diabetes, obesity, ear infections, asthma, respiratory infections, tooth decay, and sudden infant death syndrome.
- Help with brain growth
- Help your babys immune system fight infections
- May lower risk of getting allergies
Benefits for the mother are: ‚
- Help with weight loss and healing after giving birth
- Uterus returns to normal size quicker
- Develop a closeness to your baby
- Lower risk of postpartum depression
- Lower risk for problems like certain cancers, heart diseases, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes
- Saves time and money
What foods are good to eat?
Eat a healthy diet. Eat foods like: ‚
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
- Milk
- Lean meats and poultry
- Tofu
- Fruits and vegetables
- Wheat products
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice
What foods should be limited or avoided?
Avoid these foods: ‚
- Fish with high levels of mercury such as mackerel, swordfish, tuna, and shark
- Foods that cause gas like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage
- Beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
- Caffeine
- Spicy foods
Will there be any other care needed?
- Talk to your doctor about the drugs you are taking. Some drugs may pass to the baby through breast milk.
- If your nipples are dry or have cracks, wash the nipple only with water. Let the nipple air dry. Put a pure lanolin cream on to help heal the cracks.
- Wear a cotton bra or special breastfeeding bra. Change right away if the bra gets wet.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of breast infection. This includes pain and swelling in the breast, fever, chills, or redness of the skin.
- Blood leaking from the nipples
- Baby is not feeding well
- Baby does not stop crying or cannot be calmed after feeding
- A blocked milk duct that does not get better
Where can I learn more?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq029.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20140422T1648092297 ‚
My Pyramid ‚
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Topics/BreastfeedingFactSheet.pdf ‚
Womens Health ‚
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/breastfeeding.html ‚
http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide/BreastfeedingGuide-General-English.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚