Breastfeeding Benefits & Basics: Everything You Need to Know
Breastfeeding is a natural activity that comes with a variety of health benefits for both mothers and babies. It is not only important for providing the ideal nutrition to newborns but also for supporting their growth and development. Apart from essential nutrients, breast milk contains antibodies that protect both the infant and breastfeeding mother from different diseases.
According to different research findings, around 95% of babies worldwide are breastfed. For most new moms, breastfeeding is one of the most joyous moments that they share with their newborns. Apart from providing essential nutrients to the child for development, growth, and immunity buildup, it allows mothers to build a deeper connection with their baby. However, this activity can also be a stressful event for some first-time mothers. So, if you are confused about the right breastfeeding positions or worried about your own health, put that to rest. In this article, we will help you with all the information needed to make your breastfeeding journey a smooth and happy one.
Breastfeeding Benefits for the Baby
Breast milk is known for providing several health and developmental benefits to newborns. It contains the perfect mixture of essential proteins, vitamins, fat, and minerals needed for child growth. Breast milk is considered to be one of the purest sources of antibodies, important for boosting your child’s immunity. Newborns who are regularly breastfed for the first 6 months have greater immunity and can fight colds, allergies and asthma better. Additionally, babies can digest breast milk more easily than infant formula.
Apart from physiological advantages, there are several psychological benefits of breastfeeding. According to studies, newborns who are breastfed have higher IQ levels. It also plays a crucial role in building a strong mother-child connection. Physical closeness, eye contact and body-to-body touching enable your baby to feel safe and secure. While most infant formulas available in the market may make your little one overweight, breastfed babies are more likely to gain a healthy weight. As per certain studies, breastfeeding can prevent sudden infant death syndrome in newborns.
Your first milk, also known as colostrum, contains nutrients and antibodies that help newborns develop their digestive systems. Considered to be ‘liquid gold’, this yellow-colored milk prevents illness, supports jaw development, and boosts the psychological development of your infant.
Breastfeeding Benefits for the Mother
Whether it’s about burning excess calories or balancing your hormones after childbirth, there are many long-term benefits of breastfeeding for new moms. This activity allows you to satisfy your baby’s hunger without worrying about infant formula, bottles or sterilized nipples. Regular breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, along with type 2 diabetes. This is a great activity to reduce postpartum bleeding. Mothers who breastfeed their newborns recover more quickly than moms who bank on mixing formula.
Breastfeeding boosts the production of oxytocin which helps in your post-pregnancy recovery. In most cases, women gain weight during their pregnancy period. During this period, your body draws extra calories and stores them for milk production. You can burn these calories effectively through breastfeeding. Make your child have your breast milk for at least the first 6 months. In the first 3 months, breastfeeding will help you lose approximately 800 calories a day and even more in the following months. If you have gestational diabetes, breastfeeding is a great way to have healthier postpartum body weight.
Are You Making Enough Milk to Breastfeed?
In the first few days after childbirth, a breastfeeding mother produces colostrum. It is thick and yellowish milk with plenty of nutrients and antibodies. The second phase of breast milk is known as transitional milk, which over time changes to mature milk. A woman starts producing transitional milk after 3–4 days and mature milk after 10–15 days of childbirth. As your infant nurses more, your breasts start producing more milk. Thus, doctors and medical professionals ask new moms to breastfeed for at least 6 months. Mothers who supplement their babies with infant formula produce less milk.
Though most new moms start making milk right after childbirth, some do have low milk production. The most common causes of low milk supply are:
Infrequent nursing is one of the main reasons behind insufficient milk production. Production of milk largely depends upon demand and supply. The more you pump your milk, the more it gets produced
Supplementing your newborn with formula during the breastfeeding stage may hamper your milk production. Remember, frequent draining of milk is important for a sufficient supply of milk.
Scheduled feeding may interfere with your milk production. Milk production increases when you empty your breast on a regular basis. So, each time you feed your baby, try to drain out the milk from your breasts for further production.
Stress, tension and anxiety are some of the common causes of low milk production. These emotions and feelings increase the production of adrenaline and limit the release of oxytocin. Limited production of oxytocin hormone impacts a successful letdown of milk.
Though weight loss of a breastfeeding mother is normal, excessive weight loss or gain may impact the supply of milk. Thus, it’s good to hang on to 5 or 10 pounds over your prenatal weight.
Sore nipples or yeast infections can cause low breast milk supply and difficult letdown. To avoid such issues, ensure that your little one is latching on properly and you are holding your baby in good breastfeeding positions. Also, keep your breasts clean and your skin healthy. Keeping your breast pads or bra is also important to keep the skin clean, dry, and healthy. If you are using a breast pump, try to be gentle with that.
Mastitis is a painful breast inflammation that may either slow down the milk movement or drop your milk supply. Mastitis may change the biochemical composition of breast milk. It also causes increased breast permeability and leads to low milk production. Though it’s a temporary issue and your milk production should rebound after resolving mastitis, you must keep pumping, resting, and hydrating yourself for a quick recovery.
A clogged duct is yet another cause of reduced milk flow. These clogs affect your breasts gradually and are painful. In most cases, clogged ducts are lumpy, hard and swollen. However, you can relieve the pain with regular nursing. To avoid such issues, be diligent while feeding your baby or removing excess milk from your breasts.
The Best Breastfeeding Positions for Newborn
Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to adapt. For first-time moms, it can be taxing which gets easier with practice. Also, there is no right or wrong way to breastfeed your baby. Hold and feed your newborn in a position that you both feel comfortable with. However, understanding the positions and types of breastfeeding may help you to determine your own preferred position.
Cradle Position-
The cradle hold is one of the most common yet classic breastfeeding positions in which the baby lies against the mother’s body while feeding. Here, you have to hold your little one with their stomach against your body. For support, use a breastfeeding pillow and keep the baby’s head parallel to their body and hold them with the hand that is on the same side of the nursing breast. However, while holding onto this position, do not strain your neck.
Reclining Position-
Reclining position or laid-back breastfeeding stimulates your newborn’s instinctive feeding reflexes and thus, is known as a biological nursing position. For new moms, it is one of the most comfortable breastfeeding positions. If you are struggling with pain related to childbirth recovery, this is the most supported and relaxing position for you. Here, just find a reclining position that supports both your head and neck. Once you are comfortable, hold your little one’s stomach down to your body. Ensure that the baby’s head is at your breast level and the neck is not getting strained. Let your child find the breast themselves. However, if needed, feel free to help them.
Cross-Cradle Position-
Similar to the cradle position, the cross-cradle hold allows your hands to switch roles so that you can make your child lie along your opposite forearm. It is also one of the best latches for newborns. This position provides better support to your baby’s neck and shoulder. To breastfeed in this position, let the infant lie against your stomach. Make sure that their neck and back are aligned. Support their head with the arm that is on the same side of the breast so that they can rest in the crook of your arm.
Side-Lying Position
– Side-lying is one of the types of breastfeeding that allows you and the baby to relax at the same time. It is also an ideal position for mothers recovering from c-sections. This position is also great for night feeds. Though some new moms might find it difficult to get into a side-lying position, newborns are comfortable with it. Here, just lie down facing your baby. Bring your baby close to your nipple and support their back with your lower arm.
Sitting Baby Position-
This is an effective breastfeeding position for babies who are old enough. It is also a great position if you are breastfeeding your baby on the go. The little one who often feels restrained and squirms may find this position comfortable. To breastfeed your child in this position, sit upright and help your kiddo to sit. Here, younger babies may lean against your bent arm. However, if your baby can sit upright, encourage them to wrap their legs around your abdomen. Provide optimum support to their neck and back so that they are aligned. While nursing, ensure that nothing is covering your little one’s nose.
There are several other positions that you can adapt to make breastfeeding comfortable and joyous. Apart from following a certain position, you may make use of your own strategies to make the activity effective. For example, you may use pillows or rolled blankets to provide extra support to your baby. You may also support your breast with your hand to keep the baby’s nose uncovered. After each breastfeeding session, you can also pump out the milk and store it in a bottle to increase supply.
If you are still experiencing trouble with breastfeeding, seek help from a caregiver or a professional. Also, be open to experiment with different types of breastfeeding techniques. You may find a few of them awkward or tough, but practice will make these positions comfortable and easier.
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