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There is a lot that’s said about breastfeeding. It’s a well-known fact that breastfeeding is great for both the mother and baby. Over the years, breastfeeding has also become a scary and worrisome task, and it’s time to break those barriers. Every year, August 1st to August 7th is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week to encourage mothers to breastfeed and improve the health of their newborns. This year’s theme, “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”, focuses on how breastfeeding contributes to survival, health, and wellbeing of all and why it’s crucial to protect breastfeeding worldwide.
Keeping the theme of World Breastfeeding Week in mind, we’ve curated a list of questions that every new mom may have about breastfeeding. Keep reading to find out the answers to some common breastfeeding questions:
When Should You Start Breastfeeding?
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If you don’t already know, the best time to feed your baby is soon after birth. Within one hour of childbirth, it’s important to feed your baby because it enhances the bond between your infant and you. Your baby starts to receive the immunological effects of colostrum (the first breast milk), which provides increased protection against diseases and infections (1).
What Is The Correct Position For Breastfeeding?
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Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to learn and master. So, when you’re just figuring it out, you might have tons of questions about the right way to do it. Experts say the best position to breastfeed your baby is the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, or the lying back position (2). You could also seek help from your doctor or speak to a lactation expert to understand if you’re doing it right. But moms, don’t stress because it takes time to get used to it for both you and your baby.
How Often Should You Feed Your Baby?
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There are two ways to go about this. One, you follow a method called on-demand feeding, where you look for visual cues to see if your baby needs milk. They will most likely lick their lips, stick their tongue out, or even cry if they’re hungry. If you follow this method, you can feed your baby every time they want (demand) it.
Another approach that moms follow is the scheduled feeding technique. Here, you feed your baby at regular fixed intervals. Ideally, a newborn should be fed every 1-3 hours. Frequent feeding gives your baby practice at sucking and swallowing (3).
What To Do When Your Baby Refuses To Feed?
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Your baby might refuse to feed sometimes, and you might end up wondering what you did wrong. But mothers, don’t worry because you’re not alone. Babies can refuse to feed for several reasons, one of them simply being that your little one is a fussy eater. Apart from that, teething, stuffy nose, ear infection, changes in taste and smell, or even distraction can cause breastfeeding strikes in your baby. You could try to evaluate any changes in your diet that could be causing your baby to refuse to feed. You could also try to switch positions, get rid of distractions, try skin-to-skin contact, and do not give up (4).
What Diet Should You Follow If You’re Breastfeeding?
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As a breastfeeding mother, it’s pretty natural to wonder what foods you should and shouldn’t consume that might affect your milk production. According to experts, it’s vital to include nutritious and energy-inducing foods in your diet. Add protein-rich foods like eggs, dairy, fish, meat, nuts, and seeds to your diet 2-3 times a day. Also include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and leafy greens in your diet. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated (5). It’s crucial that you follow a healthy and nutritious diet because you need it to replenish all the energy you’re losing while nursing.
Should You Breastfeed If You’re Sick Or Have Flu-Like Symptoms?
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Experts say it’s completely okay to breastfeed your baby when you’re sick with the flu or have a common cold and fever. However, you must be extra cautious to prevent the infection from affecting your baby. Wash your hands, cough, and sneeze into your elbow (and then wash it off), limit close face-to-face contact with your baby. You could also wear a face mask while breastfeeding to avoid sneezing, coughing, or even breathing into your baby’s face (6).
If you don’t feel comfortable breastfeeding your baby when you’re sick, you could also pump and feed them with a bottle. You could also ask your partner or another trusted caregiver to feed your little one when you’re down with the flu. It would help reduce the chances of your baby contracting the infection to a large extent.
With breastfeeding being celebrated worldwide this week, we hope this article helped clear some of the doubts you might have had about breastfeeding. Consult your doctor or a lactation expert to guide you through the magical and rewarding process of breastfeeding and reap the benefits of it. What are you waiting for? Comment below and let us know what your breastfeeding experience was like!
