Importance of Breastfeeding!

Breast milk is the best food you can give to your baby. Breast milk is a complete food source, containing all the nutrients your baby need – atleast 400 of them to be exact, including hormonesand disease fighting compounds that aren’t foundin formula.

The nutritional makeup in breast milk will adjustto your baby’s needs as he or she grows and develops. Aside from the brain building, infectionfighting benefits of breast milk, which no formulacan match, nursing will also help to build a specialbond between you and your baby. When nursing, your child thrives on the contact, cuddling, andholding – which you will as well.

Since breast feedings can take up to 40 minutes ormore, you should pick a cozy spot for nursing. Theatmosphere is very important, even more so in theearly days of breast feeding when you’re stilltrying to get the hang of it. If you get easilydistracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.

You should always hold your baby in a position that won’t leave your arms or back sore. It worksthe best to support the back of your baby’s headwith your hand, although which position you choosedepends on what’s more comfortable to you. 

When supporting your baby, a nursing pillow can sometimes be a big help. You should never feed until both you and your baby are comfortable. Payattention to how your breasts feel when your babylatches on, as his mouth should cover most of theareola below the nipple, and the nipple should befar back into your baby’s mouth.

While some women adjust to breast feeding easily,other moms find it hard to learn. If you feel discouraged, always know that you aren’t the onlyone. Everyone feels different when starting, itall depends on the mother and the situation.

Breast feeding will take practice. Therefore, youshould give yourself as much time as you need toget it down to second nature. Always take it onefeeding at a time. If you are having a bad day,tell yourself that it’ll get better. Keep in mindthat any problems are temporary, as you’ll be nursing like a pro by your six week postpartum checkup.

The first six weeks will be both an adventure andtraining. You can’t expect to know everything whenyou begin, which is where training and practice willreally help you excel. The more you breast feed,the more you’ll learn. You’ll also build a bondwith your baby – which is something you’ll alwayshave for the rest of your lives.