The most important questions about breastfeeding

The most important questions about breastfeeding

The most important questions about breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is natural and adapted to feed according to the needs of the child.

The following are common questions that arise about breastfeeding.

What is the contribution of breastfeeding to the health of the mother?

• Breastfeeding after childbirth helps the uterus contract and reduce bleeding.
• Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between the mother and the infant (from the mother's point of view).
• Breastfeeding helps to make use of adipose tissue and thus return to your pre-pregnancy weight.
• Breastfeeding provides protection and reduces the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer in the future.

What is the contribution of breastfeeding to the health of the infant?

Mother's milk is more than "just" food, it provides the infant with even protective immunity, as no other infant food can provide.

1. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between the infant and its mother (from the infant's point of view).
2. Breastfeeding helps healthy growth.
3. Breastfeeding strengthens the baby's immune system and helps protect against diseases such as ear infections, diarrhea, allergies, and more.
4. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity in later life as well as obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Is every mother able to breastfeed their children?

Almost every woman concerned can breastfeed.

Even in cases where it is possible to breastfeed only partially, this position is better than not breastfeeding at all.

There are only rare cases in which breastfeeding should be avoided.

Although breastfeeding is the most natural way of feeding an infant, it is also a learning process for both the mother and the baby. Some mothers have difficulty at the beginning of the road, so it is important to get help in the hospital in the maternity department, and after discharge, you must go to seek help from the nurse at the maternity and childhood station. Help can be sought from the nurses of the Maternity and Childhood Stations who are considered breastfeeding guides, and some of them are considered qualified breastfeeding consultants who specialize in this subject.

In special cases such as premature birth, twins, and babies with special problems, it is important to seek professional help.

Is it possible to breastfeed a child after breast augmentation or reduction surgery?

Most can breastfeed after plastic surgery on the breast.

If you are going to have an operation soon, it is recommended to clarify with the surgeon how the operation will be performed to prevent injury to the milk ducts or to the nerves during the operation.

Even when there appears to be milk, it is recommended to follow along with the MCH station nurse/breastfeeding consultant, who can guide you in taking measures to increase milk production, if this is difficult.

How many times a day should a breastfed baby breastfeed?

In the first days after birth and during the first weeks, the breastfed child often: about - 8-12 times a day and for a continuous period.

The number of breastfeeding times decreases as the baby grows. Create an agenda that makes it easier for the mother to act throughout the day.

As the baby grows and begins to eat solids (at around the age of six months), there will be a gradual decrease in the frequency of breastfeeding.

How do I know that the infant wants to breastfeed?

The infant usually shows signs of searching: alert, moves his head from side to side, brings his hands to his mouth, and shows signs of sucking at the mouth.
Crying is a late sign of hunger, so it is not preferable to wait until crying and to suggest breastfeeding before it appears.

How do I know that a breastfed baby is latching on well and suckling properly?

The child is well attached to the breast when it is adjacent to the mother's body, belly to the abdomen, and its chin is attached and immersed in the breast. There are no pains when breastfeeding and swallowing sounds are heard.

How do I know that a breastfed baby is getting enough milk?

• According to the amount of urine and feces of the infant: in the first six weeks after birth can be 3-4 times loose stools, yellow, and -5-6 diapers with urine per day.
• The baby is calm at the end of breastfeeding.
• The baby gains weight and returns to its birth weight within 10-14 days.

Does a breastfed baby have to suckle from both breasts at every meal?

The correct way to breastfeed the infant is: to suggest the first side to self-disengage the infant from the breast, allowing him to expel the air by raising the infant on the hands, and then suggesting the second side as well.

Breastfeeding can be encouraged by putting on a nappy and moving the baby from one breast to the other, thus waking him up.

When the baby is older, you can breastfeed at each feeding from one side, according to his desire.

What is the recommendation of a health professional regarding breastfeeding?

The recommendation is to breastfeed completely until the end of the sixth month of the baby's life without the need for additional water or other liquids.

After the age of six months, breastfeeding is recommended along with additional foods, to provide the nutritional needs of the growing infant.

When and why do signs of fullness and/or engorgement appear in the breasts?

• Fullness - a normal condition, appearing approximately 3-4 days after delivery.
• Engorgement - a pathological condition that appears in the wake of a lack of balance between the amount of milk produced by the body and the amount suckled by the breastfed child. Untreated engorgement may lead to mastitis. In addition, engorgement makes it difficult for a nursing infant to close its mouth around the areola and to nurse successfully. Congestion can appear in the first days after birth, from the lack of balance mentioned between the amount of milk production and the amount of breastfeeding for the baby. In this case, it is important to breastfeed the baby often, and to apply cold compresses, even to relieve congestion. If breastfeeding is not possible, pumping is recommended.

It is important to seek professional help to avoid unwanted symptoms such as inflammation.

Is breastfeeding painful?

No, breastfeeding isn't supposed to be painful.

There can be sensitivity in the nipples during the first days after birth.

If you are in pain:

• The position of the baby and its attachment to the breast should be checked. The baby should be gently separated from the breast and attached again.
• Begin to breastfeed less painful breasts.
• A little breast milk can be spread on the nipple to ease the pain.
• If a wound or incision appears, seek professional help.

Are there any foods that a breastfeeding mother should avoid?

No. There is no blanket recommendation to abstain from certain foods. A nursing mother can continue eating the food she is used to and loves. If, after the mother ate a certain food, she felt discomfort in the breastfed infant, it is preferable to avoid this food temporarily.

Is it permissible to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

No! You must refrain from drinking alcohol because alcohol is passed directly to the baby.

Is there a need for food supplements (vitamins, and minerals) to feed the mother during the breastfeeding period?

No special nutritional supplements are needed. It is recommended that the nursing mother is keen on a variety of foods and on wise eating habits.

There is a special need in the early days to drink a lot, up to 8-10 cups a day.

In the first month after giving birth, the mother must continue to take iron tablets (to continue the pregnancy), carry out a blood test, and in case of anemia, she must receive treatment from the attending physician.

   It is important to stress: in general, every mother produces highly nutritious milk that is exactly suited to the needs of the infant. The importance of maintaining a reasonable nutritional menu lies in the preservation of the mother's database and her health.

If a mother eats a diet that does not include a variety of foods or abstains from certain food groups, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist/doctor.nutritionist/doctor

Even if the mother's diet is deficient or poor, it is recommended to give breast milk to the nursing baby.

Is it permissible to take medicines while breastfeeding?

Most medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding. It is important to consult a doctor regarding the use of medicines and their validity for consumption during the breastfeeding period.

What is the amount of water that a breastfeeding woman should drink?

In general, it is important to drink enough water to restore body fluids lost through perspiration. During the breastfeeding period, the amount of fluid that must be returned to the body increases. In the summer, you should be more careful to drink a lot.

Breastfeeding mothers should ensure that they drink enough fluids regularly to avoid dehydration. It is recommended for a nursing mother to have a bottle of water near her at home, as well as when she goes outside, as this is considered a reminder to her that she has to drink several sips very short time. It is recommended to pay attention to the feeling of thirst and the color of urine. Early signs of dehydration include dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness, headache, and weakness.

There is no need to drink an excessive amount of water, it is recommended to simply drink for satiation. Research indicates that drinking a lot does not increase milk production. Milk production only increases following the emptying of the breast through direct breastfeeding or pumping.