As we celebrate the world breastfeeding week 2016, here are facts about breastfeeding. World breastfeeding week is always celebrated from 1st-7th August every year. This year’s theme is, ‘A Key To Sustainable Development’.
When a woman conceives, the breasts enlarge and become sore and prolactin hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain is produced on a high level to help stimulate breast development and milk production.
This milk that is produced is used after child birth during breastfeeding.
A new mother produces colostrum; this is initial milk that is produced after birth and it is rich in nutrients thus sufficiently protects the new born. A baby should be fed within the first hour after birth in order to get him or her off to a good start.
There is nothing that brings joy to a woman as feeding her baby when she is a first-time mother. Though there are pains that are experienced due to breast engorgement caused by accumulation of milk and other fluids in the breast tissue which is as a result of a baby not being breastfed frequently, therefore the breast may become red and painful.
Engorgement is normal to all mothers and lasts for a period of time depending on the lady. In some women, it can be more intense and can last for days or even weeks, leading to fever in a mother, and if the situation persists, it may lead to insufficient milk supply.
Being a first-time mother, one may wonder how and what time she is supposed to breastfeed her child. In this case, it depends on the mother because she is the one who decides how long each feed should last.
Again, your baby can help you know when she or he wants to feed and you may know this when the baby sucks his or her fists, licks the lips or opens his mouth as a sign that he or she is searching for your breasts. As a good, responsible and caring mother you should respond to this rather than wait till the baby starts crying, this may stress the baby and disrupt his desire to breastfeed.
When breastfeeding a child, the mother should take her time to ensure that the baby is completely satisfied, something which the baby only can dictate and show.
A mother should not be in a hurry during breastfeeding and halt the baby’s breastfeeding time, because the latter milk is more creamy thus is vital for the baby’s growth, one of the benefits being the weight input of the baby.
For a mother to produce enough milk, she should check on her diet, given that when a mother eats a balanced diet it will be easy for her to produce enough milk for her baby. Therefore one’s dietary schedule should be observed in order to have a healthy and strong baby.
Breastfeeding should not only be done by mothers while they are alone but a father can also sit there to chat with the mother and observe how the baby feeds.
Finally, breastfeeding nowadays has changed from strictly breastfeeding babies, as some ladies have started breastfeeding their lovers, I don’t really know how this works but am sure it does not apply the same way like breastfeeding a baby.
To all mothers, set aside time for breastfeeding your baby and more so, observe your diet.
I wish all mothers a happy world breastfeeding week 2016.
