Hey, mom-to-be, Is it the first time you are becoming a mother? What’s your perception of breastfeeding? Is it that you deeply know it, or just let others’ opinions become yours?
In that case, you might want to face the real side of Breastfeeding and find out if it’s good for you and your baby. It might exactly not look the way it is seen most of the time.
Breastfeeding isn’t just feeding the baby, it’s beyond! It is about the journey of belongingness the child has with the mother. It is more like resembling a connection between the mother and the child that remains integral during and after birth as well.
Let’s look at Breastfeeding in detail:
Your Breasts During Pregnancy
You must have noticed that during pregnancy your breasts grow and become extremely sensitive. The areola (the circular area around the nipple) becomes darker. Worry not, these are healthy signs of your baby growing and your body preparing to feed the baby.
While you are pregnant, the milk-making glands in your breast grow and hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin have a significant effect in preparing the breasts for breastfeeding.
When is the Right Time to Start Breastfeeding?
You should start breastfeeding right after giving birth or in the nearest hour. Ideally, you should breastfeed within an hour of giving birth.
Babies are quite interested in getting nursed right in the first two hours of getting born. Doesn’t matter that they have been feeding themselves in shorter spurts before getting tired, it is quite enough for the moment and such attempts help breasts make more milk.
In most cases, even cesarean section birth can allow women to breastfeed. Though, breastfeeding after a cesarean can be difficult because your body is at a healing stage. However, it is possible and good for your body as well as your baby’s health. In such times, women should pick a comfortable position right after settling into the recovery space.
For first-time mothers, understanding the process of breastfeeding can be quite challenging. However, many health centers have lactation consultants who would help you understand breastfeeding. Even doulas and midwives help train new parents to get the hang of breastfeeding. So, chill!
Do You Know?
Initially, your baby would feed briefly but more often. This process of frequent and brief feeding will increase your milk supply and as your baby’s feeding pattern changes, it would signal your body that it needs to make more milk and your body will naturally adjust to the demands.
Latching On: Do You Know About It?
So, the baby takes the breast into its mouth in a certain way, that is called a breastfeeding latch and it is important, but how? A good latch means the baby can remove milk from your breasts quite efficiently, helping you keep the milk supply plentiful and steady. Further, it also helps avoid sore nipples and blisters.
The newborn requires some guidance toward latching. Ideally, the baby should latch on the entire nipple and also parts of the areola. If their lips are turned fish-like (outwards) and the nose and chin are touching the breast, it’s going right!
If you are trying to reposition the baby, break the suction using the finger between the breast and the mouth and then do it.
Stages of Breast Milk
Believe it or not, breast milk production is similar to the demand and supply theory. The more often your infant breastfeeds, the better would be the milk quantity your baby will make.
There are three main stages of breast milk in the initial weeks of birth:
- 0 to Day 5
In the first week after giving birth, the breasts mainly secrete something called colostrum. The liquid has an orange and yellow tint that is nutrient-dense and immunoglobulins. The amount of colostrum produced wouldn’t be a lot, but enough to fill the newborn’s stomach.
- 5 to Day 14
This is the phase when milk production would increase. You would feel the breast to be a lot heavier. This is the time when colostrum changes to become transitional milk.
- From Day 14
This is the time when your breasts will start producing mature milk and this milk’s consistency is a lot thinner which will become more nutritious and dense as the days go on.
Final Words
Motherhood is a lot about patience and holding onto the moments. As a part of womanhood, it is one of the most sensitive phases which brings so much joy besides the sweet struggles.
Did you find the guide helpful? Do let us know!
