Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for a woman. Although it is a natural process, breastfeeding is a learned skill, which requires practice and patience. As we observe the World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), here are some tips to make the experience hassle-free and enriching.
First of all make sure you increase your water intake. This is extremely important when you are breastfeeding your newborn. If you stay hydrated, more milk will be produced and it will help you feel energetic the entire day despite the sleepless nights.
Keep your meals simple yet nutritious. Always keep fresh fruits and vegetables at home so that when you feel hungry you do not grab any snack or cookies or high and empty calorie food items.
Breast milk is the best possible food for your baby and will give her the best start in life. It provides the required nutrition as well as immunity for your baby. Here are a few benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby:
Benefits for babies
· Right nutrients and right balance: Breast milk has the right proportion of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and other nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop.
· Easy to digest: Unlike proteins found in regular cow’s milk, the proteins in breast milk are naturally gentle and easy to digest.
· Builds tolerance: It helps protect your baby against early food allergies, protein intolerance and sensitivity.
· Offers protection: It provides natural protective antibodies and other immune-related benefits; protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop asthma.
· Helps digestive system: It fosters a healthy environment in your baby’s digestive system.
· Creates bonding: It provides a perfect opportunity for bonding with your baby and skin-to-skin contact.
· Reduces risks: It reduces the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory illnesses. Children who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Benefits for Mothers
· Produces helpful hormones: It stimulates the production of the hormone oxytocin, which causes your uterus to contract and return to its pre-pregnancy size.
· Burns calories: It helps burn extra calories and lowers fat storage, helping you to return to your pre-pregnancy weight more quickly.
· Risk of becoming pregnant reduced: Mothers who breastfeed exclusively and frequently have less than 2 per cent risk of becoming pregnant in the first six months of delivery, provided they still have amenorrhoea.
· Health benefits: Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Breastfeeding is the best thing that can happen to you and your baby in her first year. Knowing the benefits help you make the most of these moments. Follow them and watch your baby grow up to be healthy and happy.
The writer is a gynecologist and IVF specialist from Shantah IVF Centre