Breast Feeding Information For The New Mother

Breast Feeding Information For The New Mother

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Breast feeding is the natural way for infants to eat. A woman's Breast milk contains large amounts of antioxidants and disease fighting cells called antibodies, these help to protect babies from germs and illness. Breast feeding is not only the healthy choice for babies but also the least likely the upset their digestive system.

Baby formula cannot exactly match the chemical makeup of human breast milk, it does not contain the hormones and antibodies that infants may need. Breast milk changes over time to give the baby what it needs. During pregnancy and right after birth the breast milk is usually thick and yellow, this type of breast milk is called colostrum, it contains all the nutrients that newborns need. Around about day three or day five it thins out and begins to look white and contains all the things your baby needs at that time including sugars and fats.

One main part of knowing how to breast feed is to know how the breast makes milk. The breast is essentially a gland comprised of many parts. Cells called aveoli make milk in response to the hormone prolactin. The hormone oxytocin causes the muscles around the aveoli cells to move the milk through small tubes called milk ducts that are located in the nipple itself and the areola around the nipple.

Latching can sometimes be an issue for new mothers. If the latch is painful then it is best for the woman to break the latch by placing a clean finger in the corner of the babies mouth and then help the baby relatch by pointing the nipple toward the back of the babies mouth as well as placing the base of the nipple as far from the bottom lip as possible. After feeding the nipple should not be flattened or compressed in any way, the nipple should either be the same as before feeding or long and rounded.

It is best for the mother to breast feed as soon as possible after the baby is born, if the baby is born a vaginal birth then the mother should breast feed right after to enforce the bond and help the baby to know its mother. If the birth is a C section then the mother should breast feed as soon as it is safe for both the mother and child.

To make breast feeding work as well as possible and to develop a strong relationship as the child's mother, the woman should breast feed as early as possible and as often as possible especially within the first hour after birth. Breastfeed at least eight to twelve times every twenty four hours to continue to make plenty of milk for the baby.

It is helpful for mothers to learn how their babies act when they are hungry, generally infants become more alert and active when they are hungry and will do things like put their fists and hands to their mouth or make sucking motions they may even turn side to side as though looking for a breast, crying is a late sign of hunger. An easy way for a mother to learn her child's hunger signs is to keep the baby in your hospital room with you over night.

About the Author:
Many mothers find that they truly enjoy the process of breast feeding their babies, especially when they realize that their baby will be happier and healthier as a result of it. Baby breast feeding is only part of the story. Did you know that some mothers use breast feeding pumps? For more free information, please visit our website.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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