The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia urges mothers to breastfeed their babies for 2 years, with exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months after birth. The period of breastfeeding is not a short and easy time, especially for mothers who have just given birth to their first child and do not yet have the experience of breastfeeding a baby.
Here are some tips to keep in mind while breastfeeding:
- Give breast milk according to the baby's behavior
Most newborns need 8 to 12 breastfeedings or about one in about 2-3 hours. Although the clock can be used as a guideline, it is advisable to give breast milk by paying attention to the baby's behavior.
Ready-to-feed babies usually show signs of moving their hands to their mouths, sucking on their hands or fingers, and playing with their lips. Crying is a symptom of delayed breastfeeding.
- Consider taking vitamin D supplements
Ask your doctor about vitamin D supplements that can be taken while breastfeeding, as there is not enough vitamin D in breast milk. Vitamin D is necessary for babies to help absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are helpful for bone health and strength.
- Don't judge by the frequency and amount of breastfeeding
It is not uncommon for mothers to worry that the baby's milk intake is inadequate. The pattern of a baby's milk needs may change from day to day. Therefore, try to pay attention to the signals and intuition of the baby and mother for breastfeeding and do not focus on how much milk is drunk or how often you breastfed your baby.
Also, consider other factors such as stable weight gain, the satisfaction of each breastfeeding, and the baby's bowel and bladder patterns as an assessment of breast adequacy.
- Do the latching process properly
Latching is the process by which the baby's mouth meets the areola and the nipple on the mother's breast. Make sure the baby's ears, arms, and pelvis are in a parallel and straight position. Also, make sure to bring the baby directly to the breast without having to turn the head. Breastfeeding in a prone position is also possible, because, in addition to training the baby's latching skills, you need to make sure that the position is comfortable for the mother.
- How to deal with breast pain while breastfeeding
Nursing mothers experience pain in the nipples and breasts often. For that, there are several ways to overcome the pain without sacrificing the baby's milk intake, including:
- Start the process of breastfeeding with breasts that are not painful and can be changed in the middle. This is because the baby will suck harder when hungry and weaken as his stomach fills.
- Use a looser bra.
- Dry the nipples before wearing a bra or shirt again, as the moisture from breast milk on the skin could cause irritation.
- Use creams or ointments that are safe for nursing mothers.
The characters of a baby are very different from each other. Adjust the tips above to the habits and characteristics of your baby. By improving the breastfeeding process, we also try to maximize the benefits of breastfeeding for babies indirectly.
Read more interesting articles only on Fitie!
Sources :
Crider, C. & Armstrong, M. (2020). 21 Tips from an Expert on How to Breastfeed. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/tips-on-how-to-breastfeed
Holland, K. & Nwadike, V. R. (2019). Guide to Breastfeeding: Benefits, How to, Diet, and More. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/breastfeeding
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022). Feeding your newborn: Tips for new parents. Mayo Clinic. [online]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20047741