Breast milk is the best thing you can give your baby.
Breast milk is a complete food source that contains all the nutrients your baby needs – at least 400 of them to be exact, including hormones and disease-fighting substances that are not essential nutrients.
Breast milk strengthens your baby's bones and helps in rapid growth.
There is no purer or stronger love than a mother's love for her child. And breastfeeding helps strengthen that bond. Oxytocin, a hormone present in breast milk, triggers the "start reflex" that allows the baby to suckle. The hormone is thus transferred from the mother to her child. Research has shown that oxytocin helps promote a stronger emotional bond between a mother and her baby. In a book titled Infant and Young Child Nutrition: A Model Chapter for a Textbook for Medical Students and Health Professionals, published by the World Health Organization, Session 2, the authors show how this hormone strengthens the bond between mother and child. An excerpt from the book reads, Oxytocin induces a state of calm and reduces stress. It can increase feelings of affection between mother and child and promote mutual bonding. Pleasant forms of touch stimulate the secretion of oxytocin and also prolactin, and skin-to-skin contact between mother and child after birth helps breastfeed in emotional bonding.
In another study, researchers concluded that breastfeeding for a shorter period of time results in growth problems and may be a predictor of psychological problems later on. The study “Long-Term Effects of Breastfeeding on Child and Adolescent Mental Health,” published in the Journal of Pediatrics (2010), states that Shorter duration of breastfeeding may be a predictor of adverse mental health outcomes across the developmental trajectory, childhood and early adolescence.
The nutritional composition of breast milk adapts to your baby's needs as he grows and develops. In addition to the brain-building, infection-fighting, benefits of breast milk that no formula can match, breastfeeding will also help build a special bond between you and your baby. When breastfeeding, your baby benefits from contact, cuddling and holding – and so will you.
Since breastfeeding can take up to 40 minutes or more, you should choose a cozy place to breastfeed. Atmosphere is very important, even more so in the early days of breastfeeding when you are still trying to get the hang of it. If you are easily distracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.
You should always hold the baby in a position that won't hurt your arms or back. It's best to support the back of your baby's head with your hand, although which position you choose depends on what's more comfortable for you and your baby.
A nursing pillow can sometimes be of great help when supporting a baby. You should never feed until you and your baby are comfortable. Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches, as his mouth should cover most of the areola below the nipple and the nipple should be far back in your baby's mouth.
While some women adjust to breastfeeding easily, other moms have a hard time learning it. If you are feeling down, always know that you are not alone. Everyone feels it differently at the start, it all depends on the mother and the situation. Breastfeeding will take practice. Therefore, you should give yourself as much time as you need to make it second nature. Always take it after one feeding. If you're having a bad day, tell yourself it will get better. Keep in mind that any problems are temporary because you'll be nursing like a pro at your six-week postpartum checkup.
The first six weeks will be both adventure and training. You can't expect to know everything when you start, which is where training and practice will really help you excel. The more you breastfeed, the more you learn. You'll also build a bond with your child – something you'll have for the rest of your life.
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