Have you just welcomed a new life, or are you preparing to welcome your baby? Perhaps you hope to continue the close bond built over the past nine months through breastfeeding and want to do it right; or perhaps you are still considering whether to breastfeed and want to clarify some questions first. This article will provide a comprehensive explanation of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby.
Breastfeeding is a new mother's own choice.
While "breastfeeding or bottle-feeding" wasn't an option in the past, today you have the right to choose whether or not to breastfeed. This will be one of the first decisions you face after becoming a mother. You may have already made up your mind, or you may still be hesitant and want to understand more about the meaning of breastfeeding.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that you feel at ease and comfortable during the thinking and decision-making process. This is a very private choice between you and your partner and should be respected.
Most new mothers view breastfeeding as a natural continuation of pregnancy. In fact, about 70% of French babies are breastfed after being discharged from the hospital, which, while lower than Norway's 98%, is far higher than the situation in 2000 when only half of mothers chose to breastfeed. In recent years, increasing information about the benefits of breast milk has encouraged more mothers to choose breastfeeding.
With very few exceptions, almost all women can breastfeed. Whether you've already decided or are still considering it, understand that breastfeeding offers real benefits for both you and your baby when done correctly and with a positive mindset. Don't hesitate to seek advice from a midwife or doctor.
Benefits of breast milk: for the baby and for the mother.
The nutritional composition of breast milk changes as the baby grows and the daily feeding schedule changes, perfectly meeting the baby's needs. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the French National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) recommend that babies focus on breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Even with shorter feeding times, breast milk is superior to commercially available formula because formula cannot fully mimic the characteristics of breast milk. Beyond the physiological benefits, the process of breastfeeding also deepens the emotional bond between mother and child.
Benefits for the baby:
- Provides complete nutrition to help your baby grow healthily. Breast milk contains appropriate amounts of fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
- It contains natural antibodies that help prevent infectious diseases (such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, otitis media, and sore throat) and certain allergy symptoms.
- Recent research indicates that breast milk helps control a baby's weight and reduces the risk of childhood and adolescent obesity.
Benefits for mothers:
- Close contact with your baby releases happiness hormones, enhancing emotional connection and pleasure.
- It promotes uterine contraction and accelerates uterine recovery.
- It helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Producing 1 liter of breast milk consumes approximately 800 calories, which helps with body recovery.
- Life becomes simpler: there's no need to prepare baby bottles or make a last-minute trip to buy formula.
Concerns about early breastfeeding? Don't worry!
You already know the benefits of breast milk, but are still wondering how to start and continue breastfeeding? Don't worry, just keep a few key points in mind to get started with peace of mind.
You must have enough breast milk.
Milk production depends primarily on your baby's needs. Suckling stimulates the release of prolactin and oxytocin, two hormones crucial for breastfeeding. Your breasts begin preparing to produce milk from early pregnancy, so rest assured: you will have enough milk. And the more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce.
In the first 2-3 days after birth, the breasts secrete colostrum, which is yellowish-orange in color and extremely nutritious, rich in antibodies that protect the baby from external pathogens. Therefore, in the early stages, the breast should be offered to the baby whenever they are awake, and you should observe for regular swallowing sounds to ensure effective sucking. Frequent breastfeeding stimulates milk production, which usually begins within 48-72 hours postpartum. At this time, the breasts may be swollen, hard, and even a little painful, but continued breastfeeding will relieve discomfort and establish a stable milk supply.
The baby will find the breast on its own.
If possible, the baby will be placed on the mother's abdomen after birth and will be breastfed for the first time within two hours. You will see the baby naturally wriggle and turn their head from side to side to find the nipple; this is an innate reflex because the nipple's scent is similar to the familiar scent in the amniotic fluid.
You can let your baby find the nipple on their own; do not force it by pushing or pulling their head closer, as this may have the opposite effect. Once your baby finds the breast, let them suckle freely. If you cannot breastfeed immediately due to a C-section or other circumstances, don't worry; your baby's rooting reflex may only be slightly weakened, and you can still gently guide them to suckle.
Every baby feeds at different times, averaging about 7-8 times a day, with some even feeding more than 12 times. Please trust your baby's needs; whether many or few, they deserve respect.
Breastfeeding habits in daily life
Once you're home, you'll gradually find your rhythm and make breastfeeding a comfortable daily routine for both you and your baby. While every breastfeeding relationship is unique, the following points are helpful for all mothers:
Anticipate and respect your baby's needs
For the first few weeks, you'll be inseparable from your baby, offering your breast whenever he wakes up. Don't wait until he cries to feed him; observe whether he turns his head, lifts his head, opens his mouth, sticks out his tongue, or sucks on surrounding objects—these are all feeding signals.
The frequency and duration of feedings should be determined by the baby; there's no need to set fixed intervals. Whether each feeding lasts 10 minutes or 45 minutes is normal; some babies feed faster, some slower. If the baby is full-term and healthy, there's no need to wake them up for feedings, even if they sleep for more than six hours.
Find a comfortable position
Remember to wash your hands before breastfeeding, but avoid over-cleaning your breasts to prevent damaging the nipples' natural antibacterial components and odor, which could affect your baby's ability to recognize them. Bathe once or twice a day.
Help your baby find the correct breastfeeding position
Even if you have a preferred breastfeeding method, it's recommended to alternate between your left and right breasts in the first few weeks to establish a stable milk supply. Let your baby finish one side first, then offer the other side as needed (they may or may not accept it). Switch sides at the next feeding. Most importantly, pay attention to your baby's breastfeeding posture.
The baby's face should be facing you, with their mouth at the same height as the nipple, preventing them from turning their head to nurse. Place the nipple in front of the baby's mouth, ensuring their head is slightly tilted back. Encourage them to open their mouth wide and latch onto the nipple, making sure the entire areola is covered, not just the nipple. This helps prevent nipple chafing and makes breastfeeding more efficient.
If your baby's latch is incorrect, gently move him away and then lightly touch the groove between his nose and upper lip (philtrum) with your nipple. He will naturally open his mouth wide, and you can readjust your position to breastfeed again.
Finally, make sure your baby's chin is close to your breast and their nose is clear. Once you've mastered these techniques, you can freely enjoy this intimate time without having to time it or worry about how much your baby has drunk—they know how much they need!
Post-breastfeeding care for the baby and breast
If your baby hasn't fallen asleep after feeding, you can hold him upright against your shoulder and gently pat his back to help him burp. If he has already fallen asleep, you can put him back in bed without waking him up.
Mothers also need to take care of themselves. Applying a special breast cream after each feeding helps protect the delicate skin of the nipples.
How to tell if breastfeeding is going smoothly
Don't worry, your intuition will tell you if there's a problem. Avoid bottle feeding for the first few weeks, as this may reduce milk supply, decrease nipple stimulation, or even confuse your baby about sucking techniques, affecting breastfeeding efficiency. Here are some indicators to help you tell if breastfeeding is going well:
- When a baby nurses, they swallow actively and rhythmically. At first, they swallow once with each suck, but the swallowing frequency decreases as the amount of milk decreases.
- The baby's diaper is soaked, and they have about 4 to 8 bowel movements a day, which are golden yellow and pellet-like. As time goes on, the frequency of bowel movements may decrease to 1 to 2 times a week or even less. As long as the stool is soft and the urine output is normal, there is no need to worry about constipation.
- Your baby's weight is steadily increasing. There's no need to weigh them daily, and it's especially not recommended to weigh them before or after each feeding, as this will only increase anxiety. If your baby is healthy, a monthly weighing by your pediatrician is sufficient. If you want peace of mind, you can weigh them weekly, but it's not recommended to do it too frequently, as weight fluctuations are not reliable indicators.
Correct habits for protecting your breasts
Breastfeeding can sometimes cause minor discomfort, but by understanding this beforehand and taking appropriate measures, it can be made into a pleasant experience.
No need to worry about breast milk leakage
Natural milk leakage is common in the early stages of breastfeeding, and may be caused by hearing the baby cry, prolonged periods without feeding, emotional fluctuations, or intimate contact. Although it may be a little bothersome, there is no need to worry; simply placing nursing pads inside the bra will absorb the milk.
Prevent nipple cracking and dryness
Many new mothers worry about cracked nipples. This often happens in the early stages of breastfeeding, ranging from mild irritation to cracks, and can cause breastfeeding pain. Prevention methods are as follows:
- Avoid over-washing your breasts, as this can strip away the natural protective oils on the nipples. Shower once or twice a day using a gentle cleanser.
- Make sure your baby is latched on correctly, with their mouth wide open and taking in the entire areola.
- After breastfeeding, dry the nipples and apply a special nipple cream.
- If cracks still appear, allow the breasts to breathe more and apply nipple cream regularly.
Prevent breast tenderness
Breast engorgement is not inevitable and can be prevented by frequent breastfeeding when milk production first begins. If discomfort persists, gently massage the areola to express milk, or express milk while showering with warm water to help the milk flow. If hand expression is unsuccessful, use a breast pump until the breasts soften and feel comfortable.
Proper treatment of mastitis
If your breasts become red, swollen, hot, and painful, accompanied by flu-like symptoms (such as fatigue and body aches), it may be mastitis. Please take the following measures immediately:
- Frequent breastfeeding, especially on the affected side.
- Get some rest and lie in bed with your baby.
- Apply a warm, damp towel to the affected area, or use a cloth-wrapped ice pack for cold compresses (to avoid frostbite), depending on your personal comfort level.
- If there is no improvement within 24 hours, please contact your doctor, as antibiotics may be necessary. However, even with mastitis, breastfeeding should not be stopped.
