The Basics Of Breastfeeding An Infant.

The choice to breastfeed your infant is a personal one. If you have decided to give breastfeeding a try, then you are not alone. In fact, more than half of new mothers are turning towards breastfeeding as it is again growing in popularity.

Tips you should know about breastfeeding:

• Attempts to breastfeed should start within a few hours after delivery in order to get your infant acclimated as quickly as possible.
• The first milk that comes out of the breast is called colostrums. It is yellow in color and appears for about three days. Colostrums is a nutrient dense substance that is perfect for your newborn child.
• Breast milk gives your baby all the nutrition it needs for at least the first four months of life. Not only is breast milk complete nutrition, it provides your baby with an enhanced immunity system.
• If a baby who is only drinking breast milk urinates at least six times a day they are getting enough food to eat.
• A baby needs to be able to breastfeed for as long as it wants to and whenever it indicates it is hungry. The more feeding a baby does, the more breast milk you will produce. Feeding your baby when they are hungry will reduce your chances of breast enlargement and infections.
• Remember to allow your baby feed from a breast until he changes sides. Babies need to get both foremilk and hind milk which will be possible if they do not switch sides too frequently during a feeding.
• Using a bottle, even if it is to feed your baby breast milk, may discourage your baby from future breastfeeding and should be used only when necessary.

How to position your baby for comfortable feeding:

Your baby should be placed on your body to encourage as much skin to skin contact as possible. Keep your baby’s body in a slightly upright position with their stomach touching yours. Make sure you are both comfortable so that you can take the time you need to feed your baby.

A nursing infant gets the most out of breastfeeding by taking the entire nipple into its mouth. Sometimes a baby’s mouth is too small and it is most important that the lips of the infant cover the lower part of the nipple. The lower jaw of the baby is the one that will do the suckling.

Babies that are breastfed often get fewer illnesses because they are receiving antibodies directly from their mother. Not everyone is comfortable with breastfeeding but if you want to give it a try, breastfeeding is one of the best gifts you can give to your newborn child.

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