Breastfeeding
Babies who are breastfed gain clear health benefits compared to those who are bottle fed, due to the essential nutrients and antibodies they receive from breast milk, breastfed babies suffer less often and less severely from common infections, such as coughs and colds. Breastfed babies are less likely to be admitted to hospital during the first year with gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and ear or chest infections. Also breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from food allergies, eczema or asthma.
Advantages of breastfeeding
- Provides babies with essential nutrients and antibodies.
- May reduce the risk of breast cancer for the mother.
- Unique closeness with baby.
- Practical, convenient and cheap.
They recommend that you breastfeed for at least 6 weeks to 6, months or more. I have breastfed both my children and found it very enjoying and the bond I get from it is more than words can say.
My first child I breastfed for three years, I had no problems and I did enjoy it. My second child I also breastfed, but not as long, only one year. The reason was because I wanted to get back to work and to get my daughter getting used to full milk.
None of my children had any serious illness. They had a good start in life.
Breastfeeding position
Whichever position you use, make sure your baby is correctly latched on.
Place a pillow behind your back and under the baby so that your back is supported and you do not get shoulder and neck ache during feeds. Avoid slouching; bring the baby up to you, rather than bending over. Your baby’s entire body should be lying facing you, not just the head. The head should be higher than their body. Until you get the hang of breastfeeding, it is easier to see what you are doing if you wear a top that unbuttons down the front. When you are more confident, you can feed your baby more discreetly, simply lifting up your top a little and baby feeds underneath. To feed your baby lying down, just turn slightly onto one side and place your baby alongside you so that they suckle the lower breast.
Please feel free in asking any questions on any problems you are experiencing with breastfeeding or need some support in breastfeeding your baby.
Timing feeds
Feeding on demand and feeding on a schedule both have advantages
Feeding on demand
Means responding to your baby‘s needs by feeding him/her whenever he/she seems hungry. In the early days after the birth, this may mean feeding your baby every two hours and giving as many as ten feeds in a 24 hour period.
Feeding on schedule
Usually involves giving feeds at specific intervals, often every three to four hours or so. Some parents may find feeding on a schedule easier to cope with than feeding on demand. However a feeding schedule should be based on the times a baby is hungry and not strictly on the clock.
