BREAST FEEDING
Women who breast feed their children have a temporary reduction in fertility which is one of nature's methods of birth control. The medical term is lactational amenorrhea which means lack of menstruation due to breast feeding.
Two things are necessary for the method to be successful:
- The woman must not be having her periods. If she does, she can get pregnant.
- She must be fully, or nearly fully, breast feeding. This means that she is the primary source of her child's nutrition. Her breasts must be emptied every four hours. This means using a breast pump if she's not with her child all the time.
This method can be very effective for 6 months or even longer.
Getting ready for the birth of your baby is an exciting, yet busy, time. There are many things to do, such as choosing a name for your child, picking out baby supplies, and deciding how you are going to feed your baby. One thing you should consider is breastfeeding since this provides many benefits for you and your baby.
If you have never breastfed before — and even if you have — it is natural to have some questions. For instance, you may be wondering if your breasts can make enough milk to feed your baby or if you can keep nursing after you go back to work. (The answer to both questions is "Yes!") This information was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help answer your questions and give you information about the following breastfeeding issues:
why breastfeeding is so good for your baby and you. the first feeding. nursing after the first feeding. medications, illnesses, and other special situations. breastfeeding after you go back to work. weaning your baby from the breast. Why is breastfeeding so good for my baby? Human milk and infant formula are different. Not only does human milk provide all the protein, sugar, fat, and vitamins your baby needs to be healthy, but it has special benefits that formulas cannot match. It helps protect your baby against certain diseases and infections. Because of the protective substances in human milk, breastfed children are less likely to have the following:
Ear infections (otitis media) Allergies Vomiting Diarrhea Pneumonia, wheezing, and bronchiolitis Meningitis Research also suggests that breastfeeding may help to protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Other reasons why human milk is good for your child include the following: It is easier for babies to digest. It does not need to be prepared. It costs nothing to make and is always in supply. It is even good for the environment since there are no bottles, cans, and boxes to put in the garbage. Breastfeeding also provides physical contact, warmth, and closeness, which help to create a special bond between a mother and her baby.
There are also many health benefits for you because breastfeeding does the following: Burns more calories and helps you get back to your prepregnancy weight more quickly. Reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and, in premenopausal women, breast cancer. Builds bone strength to protect against bone fractures in older age. Delays the return of your menstrual period, which may help extend the time between pregnancies. (Keep in mind that breastfeeding alone will not prevent pregnancy.) Helps the uterus return to its regular size more quickly. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits will be to your baby and you, and the longer these benefits will last. The World Health Organization (WHO) and many other experts encourage women to breastfeed for as long as possible, 1 year or even longer, because human milk provides the best nutrition and protection against infections.
Who can help me? After deciding to breastfeed, it is helpful to have support from family and friends. Although fathers cannot experience the intimate feeling of breastfeeding, they can share many other special, personal moments with their infants. Older siblings can also help by holding the baby, changing diapers, and playing with him. Before your baby is born, learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Read, watch videos, and talk to other women who have breastfed. Take a breastfeeding class; many hospitals and health organizations offer them. The following are other helpful sources of information:
Your obstetrician and pediatrician Prenatal instructors and lactation consultants at your local hospital La Leche League International, a worldwide organization dedicated to helping families learn about breastfeeding Before your baby is born, talk to your doctor about your plans to breastfeed. It is best to start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, if possible. Also, while you are in the hospital you and your baby should remain together as much as possible. "Rooming-in" with your baby during your hospital stay has been shown to help make breastfeeding more successful.
Talk to your obstetrician and pediatrician to make sure any medications that you are taking will not harm your baby when they pass through your milk. Most medications are not a cause for concern. How does my body prepare for breastfeeding? When you become pregnant, your body naturally starts to prepare for breastfeeding. During the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy your body is capable of producing milk. This first milk, called colostrum, is packed with all the nutrients that your newborn baby needs. It also contains many substances to protect new babies against infections. Colostrum is thick and yellowish or orangish in color. Your body will produce colostrum for several days after delivery until your mature milk "comes in." The milk then thins, becomes milk-like in color and begins to adjust to the baby’s needs for the rest of the time that you breastfeed. One of the special qualities of human milk is that it changes during the time you nurse your baby to match the changing needs of your growing infant.
How is human milk produced? During pregnancy, your body increases its production of a hormone called prolactin. This hormone stimulates the cells in your breasts to make milk. The amount of prolactin also increases when you nurse your baby. The size of your breasts is not a factor in how much milk you make; your baby’s nursing controls milk production. In other words, the more you nurse, the more milk your body produces. Oxytocin is another hormone that increases during pregnancy. This hormone causes tiny muscle cells within the breasts to contract and squeeze milk down the milk ducts toward the nipples. This process, called the let-down reflex, occurs each time you nurse your baby.
Do I have to do anything to prepare my breasts for breastfeeding? During pregnancy, you do not have to care for your nipples or breasts in any special way. Just make sure your bras provide enough support. Since your breasts will get larger, buy nursing bras that allow room for growth. Wash your breasts with warm water only. Soaps, lotions, and alcohol are not necessary, may be irritating, and should not be used. Ask your obstetrician or family physician to examine your breasts and nipples during pregnancy.
Inverted Nipples Although not very common, a few women have nipples that are drawn inward, or are inverted. When nipples are inverted, a baby may not be able to grasp the areola properly to get milk. The problem of inverted nipples usually clears up on its own during pregnancy as breasts get larger. If this does not happen, inverted nipples can be treated late in pregnancy or soon after the baby is born.
The first feeding after delivery Immediately after delivery, your baby should be placed on your chest or abdomen, skin to skin. Babies are very alert after they are born, and they are usually hungry, too! Your baby’s first feeding can take place within 30 minutes to an hour after delivery. The protection against infection that human milk provides is important immediately after birth. Your milk will also give the baby nutrients to prevent a low blood sugar level. This early taste of your milk also stimulates the baby to nurse better later.
If you had a vaginal delivery, you can nurse in bed or in a chair in the following ways: Lie on your side with your baby facing you. Hold your baby in the cradle position, with the head in the crook of your arm. Firmly support the baby’s back and buttocks. When feeding this way, make sure your baby’s entire body is facing your body, not the ceiling.
If you had a Cesarean-section delivery you can nurse your baby in the following ways: Sit up using one or two extra pillows to support your baby and protect your incision. Lie down on your side with your baby facing you. Use a side-sitting or "football" hold. Always take time to make yourself comfortable. Do not be shy about asking for help during the first few feedings. Just as with learning anything new, it may take several feedings before you and your baby become a skilled nursing team.