Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the process of feeding a child human breast milk. Breastmilk has nutritional advantages, but it also contains enzymes, antibodies, and other components that aid in the growth and development of the baby. Breast milk’s bioactive composition varies depending on the infant’s demands; for instance, when a baby is recovering from an upper respiratory infection, local signaling permits enhanced passage of immune cells and proteins to strengthen the baby’s immune system.
All mothers need to be aware of certain fundamental breastfeeding information:
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a mother should breastfeed her child for at least six months before introducing supplemental foods. However, breastfeeding should continue for at least two years. In the first several weeks, nursing should be done frequently, at least 8–12 times per day. A newborn should not go longer than 4 hours without eating (even overnight).
- The debate over whether breast milk or formula feeding is better for the baby has always caused mothers consternation. It’s one of the first major decisions a new parent must make. Though breastfeeding is the preferred method, with today’s hectic lifestyle, many people prefer breastfeeding supplemented with formula feed. There is no right or wrong decision; only the one that is best for the mother and the infant in terms of health. Both nursing and formula feeding offer benefits and drawbacks. While formula feeding can be helpful when a rigorous schedule prevents flexibility, breastfeeding has several significant advantages.
- It’s crucial to breastfeed a premature infant, but for some mothers, it might be difficult. Premature babies require extra care and attention, particularly when it comes to breastfeeding. They may be very small or sick if they are born too early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), and they may not be able to breastfeed at first. However, the nutrition provided by breast milk is critical for newborns. Premature babies are more susceptible to diseases and allergies, and breast milk can protect them from such health issues. If a baby is born before 34-36 weeks, he or she does not know how to suck and swallow milk from their mother’s breast. If a baby is born before 34 weeks, he or she may need to be fed through a feeding tube. This tube connects to their stomach via their nose or mouth. Premature babies in the 33-36 week range will require oral feeding via Paladai or spoon while transitioning from tube feed to breastfeed. Once the baby has established this feed, breastfeeding can be gradually introduced before switching to exclusive breastfeeding. Also, mothers are advised to express milk frequently. Mothers can express breastmilk using a breast pump or by hand. The premature baby can then be fed the expressed milk. Expressing is a technique that involves removing milk from the breast and storing it in order to feed the baby.
- Oats, millets, brown rice, barley, chickpeas, cashews, walnuts, sesame, and flax can all help lactating mothers produce more milk. In addition to drinking plenty of water, breastfeeding mothers should consume at least 4 glasses of milk every day. Fenugreek, barley, dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, beets, yams, turmeric, almonds, green papaya, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, and garden cress seeds are lactogenic foods that help moms produce more milk. Lactation supply is increased by consuming foods high in proteins, lipids, and micronutrients such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C, folic acid, and vitamin B12, calcium, and iron.
- Being a new mother can be exhausting, and moderate exercise helps mothers build energy reserves when breastfeeding into the wee hours of the night. Exercise can also boost the production of ‘prolactin,’ the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk. Exercise combined with caloric restriction has been linked to weight loss and fat loss in lactating women, according to research. It aids mothers in regaining their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly. It also promotes bone health by reducing bone loss.
