Breastfeeding
Breast milk is the ideal baby food for at least the first 6 months of life; its many benefits are scientifically proven, as are the risks associated with feeding formula milk.
Breastfeeding should be initiated early on, in the delivery room, to encourage milk production and reinforce the mother-baby bond.
Apart from isolated cases, every mother is able to produce milk in sufficient quantity and quality to feed her baby, especially with the right help and advice during the early days. Don´t hesitate to ask your midwife, paediatrician, nurse or consult your nearest breastfeeding group.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Technique
Breastfeeding technique
Offering the breast and getting the baby to latch on correctly is a crucial step to successful and long term breastfeeding.
There are several possible positions (lying, sitting, etc.) but they all share some common steps:
- First, both mother and baby should be in a comfortable posture, in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere, at least during the first few days when both are still inexperienced.
- Mother and baby should be as close together as possible, tummy to tummy.
- The baby´s head and body should be aligned, so that the baby doesn´t have to stretch or lower its head to reach the breast, it should be looking directly at the mother´s face and have its nose at nipple height.
- Gently stimulate the baby’s mouth to open it, and then gently bring the head towards the breast.
- Check that the baby´s mouth also covers a good part of the areola too, and that the lips make a seal and the baby begins to suck.
- When the baby releases the breast, you can offer the other, although sometimes the baby will be satisfied with just one and won´t want to latch on again until the next feed.
Frequency and duration of feeds
Breastfeeding must be on demand, as only the baby knows when he´s hungry he´ll show it by being active and awake, sucking his fingers and turning his head if you touch his cheek (you don´t have to wait until he cries of hunger). At first, he may feed often, but gradually the feeds will become more spaced. During the first weeks, the feeds shouldn´t be less than every 3-4 hours.
The length of a feed is variable, give your baby the time he needs: 10-15 minutes is the norm, but it may be longer, especially at first. If the baby falls asleep at the breast or appears to no longer be feeding, you should unlatch him gently, inserting your little finger to release the vacuum, this will also avoid crushing and cracking of the nipples.
Other important aspects
You should avoid using bottles, nipple liners or pacifiers, at least during the first month, in order to avoid confusing the young baby as to the correct method of taking the breast.
It´s recommended that breast milk be the only food for the infant during the first 6 months of life. It´s also recommended that it be the main food together with a healthy complementary food during the first year, and advisable that it be continued for the first two years or more.
During the first few days of life and for the duration of breastfeeding, the baby should be given a Vitamin D supplement (400 IU Vit D).
