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The following are the reasons why breast milk is so important for both the mother and the child.
Initially, breastfeeding may be difficult for both the mother and the child, but with due care and patience, both will become accustomed to it quickly.
For the first few days, the baby's milk requirements are minimal. During this time, the mother secretes thick milk called colostrum. The quantity of breast milk increases gradually. If the baby takes less milk than is produced, the residual milk remains in the mammary ducts, where it can cause a feeling of heaviness and a dull ache in the breast. This excess milk should be removed with some gentle pressure else it could form clots that could block the mammary ducts, leading to discomfort, or even fever. It could also cause decreased breast milk production in some women.
If required a breast pump may be used to extricate the extra milk, but be cautious as the repeated indiscriminate use of a breast pump could lead to cracks in the nipples.
A quiet and calm place is best for breastfeeding. The mother should sit comfortably, ideally in a cross-legged position, on a soft seat. The baby should be held in such a way that the head is slightly above the level of its abdomen. Instead of the mother bending over, it is better to hold the child slightly higher on the arm, otherwise the weight of the breasts may cause breathing difficulties for the infant. The baby's head should not be entirely covered with a sari or a cloth as it could smother the child or cause difficulty in breathing. The child may have to breathe through its mouth, and the air, which then reaches the abdomen, may cause vomiting and colic.
The breasts must be cleaned before each feed, and for this, a vessel should be filled with boiled water and kept covered and ready for use. When the baby is ready to feed, the mother should wash her hands, then use a sterile cotton swab dipped in this water to wash the breasts, especially the nipples. Whenever the baby is hungry, this procedure should be followed. A new sterile cotton swab should be used each time.
For me, I remember the pain that occurs while breastfeeding. One should consult the doctor for nipple care creams, and this is to be applied after every feed, so before feeding again, one should clean the breast.
This is something that can't be avoided and one should be ready for the same as babies suck the nipple, and with continuous breastfeeding there is some rashes or cracking that might occur on the nipple.
It is said that babies can suck on nipples for 5 minutes on each breast which might not be true for every single mother around the world. For me, my baby used to suck the nipples only for 2 minutes and then slept so I had to continuously wake her up for changing the side.
Doctors usually suggest gently tapping on the feet to wake them up, which usually works.
Breast milk is as magical as childbirth. When babies cry, mothers seem to get flooded with breast milk and this is the time usually when we have to nurse our babies.
Having said that, the quantity of breast milk also depends upon the demand for the milk by the baby. If the baby is continuously sucking on your nipples, then you will keep on getting more milk, which is also important and necessary for you and your baby.
I observed that mothers who sometimes substitute their milk with formula milk, after some time start getting less milk and end up in a phase when milk stops coming from breasts. So, it is essential to keep the baby for at least 5 to 10 minutes per breast sucking.
It's not that milk will always start when a child takes birth. There are several cases where milk starts coming out after some days and one should not panic.
Breast milk needs calmness and the more tension you take, the less will be the milk supply.
Also, it is not necessary that one can follow the routine and mothers should not feel guilty if they are not able to breastfeed because of health conditions or simply because there is no breast milk coming.
Doctors suggest good formulations which can also be substituted and are good for babies. I am not saying that formula milk is best, but when the need arises, you can switch to one if there is no milk coming at all.
Usually, newborn children require breastfeeding after every 2 hours. 5 minutes on both breasts, which means a total of 10 minutes is required after every 2 hours, but as the baby grows, like during the 4th or 5th month, we can extend the same to 3 hours depending upon the quantity and time that baby spends drinking the breast milk.
Doctors suggest demand feeding after 4 months. So, when a baby starts crying, you should usually provide breast milk to the baby.
The baby may vomit occasionally after a feed, but this should cause no concern. As long as it gains weight normally, sleeps quietly, and is not irritable, one need not seek medical advice for occasional vomiting.
Vomiting rids the baby's stomach of any excess accumulated phlegm. The incidence of vomiting usually reduces gradually and ultimately stops when the child begins to turn onto its abdomen and crawls.
Babies often vomit curd, which is also fine, but if you are concerned because of your baby's vomit, please consider visiting your doctor.
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