Breastfeeding
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How should I feed my baby?
Midwives offer consultation and support for everything concerning breastfeeding and all the questions about a baby’s diet in its first year. A midwife’s education makes sure that midwives are experts in breastfeeding but also in all questions related to bottle feeding and weaning.
What are the advantages of breastfeeding?
– Tailor-made for your baby:
Breast milk contains everything a baby needs – in exactly the right proportions. As a consequence, nothing needs to be added – no water, no additional food. Breast milk even adapts to the needs of the baby throughout its developmental processes and changes accordingly throughout the period of breastfeeding.
Thus the WHO (World Health Organization) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for all babies who are born mature and with a normal birth weight up to the age of six months.
– Breastfeeding: more than just food
While drinking at their mothers’ breast, babies experience skin-to-skin contact and a strong bond with their mother. Breastfeeding is also calming and relaxing for the mother and can be a source of strength for the rest of the daily routine. Breastfeeding is a feast for all senses: touching the other’s skin, eye contact, the familiar smell, first vocalising and soothing talk. All of these together with the effects of oxytocine, also known as the breastfeeding- and cuddle hormone, strengthen the bond and trust between mother and child.
– Tailor-made for the mother:
Breastfeeding has lots of positive effects on the mother’s health: short-term, such as facilitating involution, as well as long-term, e.g. a reduced risk of breast cancer.
Breastfeeding is also handy: breast milk is always there, already perfect for drinking – available at any moment, at the right quantity and with the appropriate temperature. No cleaning is necessary and it costs nothing.
What if there are problems with breastfeeding?
If problems with breastfeeding arise, do not hesitate to ask for professional help, e.g. in form of breastfeeding counselling. Midwives know a variety of breastfeeding positions. They can assist you to decide if a form of breastfeeding equipment (e.g. nipple shields, breast pumps, etc.) might be useful for your situation and help you to use them correctly. Midwives also have a range of tips how to get over difficulties like breast engorgement or sore nipples.
Breastfeeding counselling can be part of your midwife’s home visit, a breastfeeding group or a hospital-based service. Breastfeeding groups are a great opportunity not only to find expert answers on all questions about breastfeeding but also to get to know other young parents who are in a similar situation as you.
What if i cannot breastfeed or don’t want to?
If there are personal or other reasons why breastfeeding is not an option for you (anymore), it is of great importance to be properly informed about the dietary needs of your baby. Midwives support you in the process of stopping to breastfeed and offer you information on everything regarding bottle feeding, e.g. bottle hygiene or types of formula.
It was good but now it’s over…
Sooner or later the day will come when mother and/or child decide that their breastfeeding time has come to an end. Ideally both share this feeling or the baby is the main initiator. In that case the baby drinks less, causing the milk production to decrease slowly and continuously. If the mother decides it is time to stop breastfeeding, it is the gentlest way to shorten the breastfeeding meals step by step. The excess milk is absorbed by the body and, as a result of the sinking demand, the breast produces less. Sage or peppermint tea has a milk-reducing effect and can be drunk in addition.
In case of an uncomfortable tenderness in the breasts, soft massages while having a warm shower can bring relief. Cooling pads can help by reducing the blood supply and preventing an inflammation of the breast.
The time of weaning the baby from the breast is again a time where advise and support is often welcome. Your midwife supports you in the process of stopping to breastfeed and offers you useful information about the next steps in feeding your baby. Planning a longer period of time for weaning the baby makes the shift less complicated. As a first step one meal, most likely around lunch time or in the afternoon, can be replaced by baby food. In many cases babies start with only 2-3 spoons and drink the rest of the meal at the breast until they get used to more solid food. This allows the baby to slowly adapt to this totally new form of eating. Often breastfeeding is connected with all kinds of rituals. If this is the case, it can help if the partner takes a greater role during the transition to new rituals.
New routines, new vocabulary: this is what the following expressions mean…
Baby’s hunger cues
… they indicate that the baby wants to eat now. Hunger cues include opening the mouth and sticking out their tongues, smacking or pouting the lips and rooting (i.e. turning their heads from side to side). If the parents don’t react to these early signs of hunger, the baby often turns to crying and anger to signal more clearly that it’s hungry.
Rugby ball hold
… is a very popular breastfeeding position. The baby is tucked alongside its mother’s side with its feet towards her back. Midwives know a range of breastfeeding positions, which can help to prevent complications like breast engorgement or inflammation. Some positions are also especially helpful after a c-section, at night or if a baby prefers one side over the other.
„Ad libitum“
… means to breastfeed “as desired“ – so when the baby is hungry or when the mother feels the need for it rather than sticking to a strict time schedule. Breastfeeding ad lib contributes to finding an ideal rhythm for both.
Cluster feeding
… is if a baby eats frequently with short breaks in between. You could compare it to eating a starter, then the main dish, followed by a dessert and maybe then a second round starts. This phenomenon is typical for the evening hours and it’s a good idea to feed the baby according to its needs. By this type of feeding the baby “orders” the right amount of milk for the next day and especially in times of growth spurts the breast can adapt to a higher need more easily. If you have the feeling that the reason is rather a lack of milk, a consultation of your midwife might bring more clarity.
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