Breastfeeding 101: The Basics
You have gone through pregnancy (or the adoption process) and are now entering what is called the 4th trimester. One of many choices that new parents make during this time revolve around breastfeeding. Should you breastfeed? Should you use formula? Can you breastfeed? Can you afford formula? This post will outline the basics of breastfeeding, whereas the next two posts get into it a little deeper.
I should note that all of the choices that you make for your baby are up to you. As long as you are making that choice to benefit your child, you should not feel ashamed or guilty for it. There posts are here to inform, not judge.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for New Moms:- Oxytocin release - Sometimes called the "Love hormone," it can strengthen the bond between mother and child. It can also reduce stress and anxiety. Oxytocin helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size.
- Some women return to their pre-pregnancy weight while breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding has been associated with higher levels of self-confidence.
- Formula can be a little pricey, whereas breast milk is free!
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Babies:
- Helps build the immune system
- There is evidence that it may prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Reduced risk of chronic and acute illnesses
- The Fatty Acid composition of breast milk can positively affect an infant's IQ
Your baby will let you know he is hungry by a variety of ways that come by instinct. Your baby will start to turn his head back and forth and stick out his tongue. He is just searching for your breast. Once your present your breast closer to his mouth, the sucking reflex will take over and he can start to feed. The baby's gag reflex should also be working to prevent him from accidentally inhaling the milk.
When you shouldn't breast feed
If you went through traditional pregnancy and are now caring for your biological baby, there are some reasons why it may not make sense to breast feed your new baby. One example would be if your baby has galactosemia. This is a condition that can cause blood to build up with undigested sugars. Infants cannot digest breast milk and should be on a special formula diet.
Additionally, Mothers with the following scenarios should not breastfeed:
- Diagnosed with HIV (Transmission from mother to child can happen through breast milk)
- Diagnosed with Tuberculosis
- Drug addictions
- Taking Chemotherapy agents that can affect DNA replication
- Experiencing radiation therapy
- Diagnosed with HIV (Transmission from mother to child can happen through breast milk)
- Diagnosed with Tuberculosis
- Drug addictions
- Taking Chemotherapy agents that can affect DNA replication
- Experiencing radiation therapy
How to Bond with a Bottle
As we just described, not everyone can breastfeed. It is a personal choice and there are many different reasons why Moms (or Dads) would prefer to bottle feed their babies. The good news is that there are still ways to bond with the baby through bottle feeding. Skin to skin contact can help the release of oxytocin. In other words, take off your shirt while feeding your baby and let your skin touch his/hers. While feeding, be sure to maintain eye contact with the baby and talk to her. This will also help the release of oxytocin and let your baby get used to your voice. It may seem weird, but skipping the shower every so often lets your smell get stronger, and the baby can learn to recognize it. Make sure you change position every so often. This will help your arms, but also give the baby a different perspective. As with most things in your child's life, you are going to want to stay present in the moment. This means no TV while feeding! It may seem like it's endless, but bottle feeding will be over soon and you may feel you missed out.
Check My Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/love-hormone#emotions
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/2424/galactosemia#:~:text=Galactosemia%2C%20which%20means%20%E2%80%9Cgalactose%20in,build%20up%20in%20the%20blood.
https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/photo-gallery/bonding-with-your-baby-while-bottle-feeding.aspx
Brown, Judith E., et al. Nutrition through the Life Cycle. Cengage Learning, 2017.
https://www.healthline.com/health/love-hormone#emotions
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/2424/galactosemia#:~:text=Galactosemia%2C%20which%20means%20%E2%80%9Cgalactose%20in,build%20up%20in%20the%20blood.
https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/photo-gallery/bonding-with-your-baby-while-bottle-feeding.aspx
Brown, Judith E., et al. Nutrition through the Life Cycle. Cengage Learning, 2017.
Photo Credits:
https://www.instagram.com/kelvinocta_/
https://www.pexels.com/@osmachko?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels
https://www.pexels.com/@public-domain-pictures
Next in the Series:
Comments
Post a Comment