It's helpful for a woman who wants to breast-feed to learn as much about it
as possible before delivery, while she is not exhausted from caring for an
infant around-the-clock. The following tips can help foster successful nursing:
* Get an early start: Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if
possible, when an infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even
though the mother won't be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a
thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease.
* Proper positioning: The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as
far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the
mother. A nurse, midwife, or other knowledgeable person can help her find a
comfortable nursing position.
* Nurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours,
and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to
produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable
routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula,
breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
* No supplements: Nursing babies don't need sugar water or formula supplements.
These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a
diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will
produce.
* Delay artificial nipples: It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a
pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a
different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse
some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breast-feed.
* Air dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the
mother should air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking,
which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them
with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil
and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions
to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the
mother's very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or
her mouth.
* Watch for infection: Symptoms of breast infection include fever and painful
lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.
* Expect engorgement: A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her
breasts big, hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this engorgement, she
should feed the baby frequently and on demand until her body adjusts and
produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the mother can take
over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and
take warm baths to relieve the pain.
* Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs
a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses
of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections,
which are aggravated by fatigue.
Source :
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