Breastfeeding provides unparalleled health benefits for the baby and mother. Breast milk is uniquely designed to meet the health needs of a growing child and is the ideal food for infants. As it is safe for them, it also strengthens the immune system in infants. Which contributes to protecting him from many common childhood diseases. Breast milk also provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs in the first months of his life, and continues to provide up to half or more of the child’s nutritional needs between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and a third of the energy needs. Between 12 and 24 months; Therefore, the World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend the following:
Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods (solid) at 6 months of age, and continued breastfeeding until 2 years of age or beyond.
When should you start breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding should begin within the first few hours of birth, by allowing the baby to be placed on the mother's chest (skin-to-skin) and breastfed.
In some cases, the infant must be separated from the mother for several hours or even days after birth, so breast pumping is recommended to stimulate breast milk production.
In the first few days after birth, a woman produces a small amount of thick, yellowish milk called colostrum, which is rich in nutrients and provides all the calories the baby needs in the first few days.
Many women worry that their babies are not getting enough milk immediately after birth, especially when only small amounts of colostrum are produced, but there is no need to worry; Infants are born with excess fluid and sugar stores for their bodies to use until their mother's milk production increases.
It is recommended that you continue breastfeeding frequently; To produce a larger amount of milk within three to five days.
Infants usually lose weight during the first few days of life, and gradually regain this weight within two weeks of birth.
Breastfeeding time:
An attempt is made to breastfeed the infant as soon as he begins to show signs of hunger, including:
The infant wakes up from sleep.
Move the head and mouth to search for the mother's breast.
Sucking hands, lips, or tongue.
Intense crying indicates intense hunger, and it is not recommended to delay breastfeeding until the infant cries.
Number and duration of feedings:
In the first one to two weeks, most babies feed 8 to 12 times a day within 24 hours, or at least every two to three hours since the beginning of the previous feeding.
Some infants want to feed more frequently, every 30 to 60 minutes, while others need to be awakened and encouraged to feed.
During the first week of life, a sleeping infant should be awakened to feed if four hours have passed since the beginning of the previous feeding.
The length of time an infant needs to finish breastfeeding varies, especially in the first few weeks after birth; Some babies need 5 minutes, while others need 20 minutes or more.
It is recommended that the infant be allowed to breastfeed as long as he wishes to do so.
It is recommended to breastfeed the baby from one breast at a time until he is full. This is because the milk flowing at the end of the breastfeeding session contains a higher percentage of fat than the milk available at the beginning of breastfeeding. Which helps the child feel full and sleep.
Benefits of breastfeeding for infants:
Breast milk contains the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein and minerals needed for the baby's growth and development.
Breast milk is easier to digest than formula milk, and breastfed babies have less gas, feeding problems, and constipation.
Breast milk contains antibodies that protect babies from certain diseases (such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory diseases, and allergies).
- Reducing the risk of asthma.
- Reducing the risk of obesity.
- Reducing the risk of type 1 diabetes.
- Reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
- Reducing the risk of enterocolitis in premature infants.
Benefits of breastfeeding for the mother:
Breastfeeding makes it easier to lose weight gained during pregnancy.
Reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Reducing the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
Breastfeeding helps release oxytocin, which helps the uterus contract and reduces the amount of blood after birth.
How to breastfeed an infant:
Breastfeeding takes practice, as it takes time to determine the best position for feeding and burping, offering both breasts, and switching breasts after each feeding; When holding the breast:
Bring the infant's body closer so that his nose is close to the nipple.
Let the baby's head tilt back slightly so that his upper lip can capture the nipple. This should help his mouth open wide.
When he opens his mouth, his chin should be able to touch the breast first, and his head should be tilted back so his tongue can reach as much of the breast as possible.
With his chin firmly touching your breast and his nose clear, his mouth should be open.
The mother should notice the breast areola above the baby's upper lip more than below his lower lip.
Signs of satiety in infants:
These signs vary from one child to another, and include:
Relax his fingers and toes.
Milk poured from his mouth.
Stop sucking.
Turn the head away.
Signs that indicate that the infant has received a sufficient amount of milk:
The infant's cheek is round rather than hollow during sucking, and swallowing can be heard and seen.
The baby is calm and relaxed during feeding, and leaves the breast alone when he is satisfied.
After feeding, the breasts are softer and the nipples are similar (not flat, pinched or white).
The mother may feel sleepy and relaxed after feeding.
In the first 48 hours, the baby is likely to wet only two or three diapers, and wet diapers should become more frequent, at a rate of at least 6 diapers every 24 hours from the fourth or fifth day onward.
Begin to gain weight steadily after the first two weeks (it is normal for babies to lose part of their birth weight in the first two weeks).
At first, the infant's stool is black and tar-like. After about 5 or 6 days, the infant must defecate at least twice, and the stool is soft yellow. The stool of breastfed infants is also characterized by liquid, odorless stool.
Burping the baby:
Burping an infant/child is an important part of feeding him. When he swallows, air bubbles can be present in his tummy and cause a lot of discomfort. Some babies find it easy to burp, while others need help.
When should he burp:
There are no rules about when to burp; Some babies need to be burped during breastfeeding, and others afterward. If the baby seems uncomfortable during breastfeeding, it is preferable to take a small break for burping. However, if he seems fine during breastfeeding, it is preferable to wait until it is finished.
Best position for burping:
Holding and supporting the baby's head and neck, making sure that his stomach and back are straight (not twisted), then rubbing his back or patting him gently. The mother does not need to spend a long time burping the baby, as a few minutes are enough.
Ways to burp a baby:
On the shoulder: by placing the child’s chin on your shoulder, supporting the head and shoulder area with one hand, then gently rubbing and patting his back.
Sitting on the mother's lap: Place the palm of the hand flat on his chest and support his chin and jaw, avoiding pressure on the throat area, then tilt the child forward slightly, and use the hand to gently rub the child's back.
Lying on the stomach: The child lies on the mother’s leg, face down, while supporting his chin, avoiding pressure on the throat area, and using the hand to gently rub or pat the child’s back.
If the baby does not burp:
If these methods do not work and the child shows signs of wind retention (such as: crying, arching the back, pulling the legs to the stomach, clenching the hand), then you should try lying on his back and gently massaging his stomach, then moving his legs back and forth (bike movement).
When should you see a doctor:
If the baby vomits a lot of milk after feeding, seems unsettled and cries a lot during or after feeding.