Breastfeeding
➊ Encouraging Breastfeeding
Breast milk is the best nutrition for babies. Whenever possible, breastfeeding your child is highly recommended, barring any specific reasons preventing it.
Benefits of breastfeeding
●Enhances Disease Resistance
Breast milk is rich in antibodies that help shield infants from illnesses.
●Offers Balanced Nutrition and Digestibility
Breast milk is perfectly composed to meet your infant's nutritional needs and contains proteins that are more digestible than those found in formula.
●Facilitates Maternal Healing
The act of breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin from the nipple stimulation, a hormone that aids in uterine contraction. This process not only helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state more quickly but also aids in the expulsion of lochia.
Breastfeeding also delays the return of ovulation, leading to a later resumption of menstrual cycles compared to non-breastfeeding mothers. Yet, it's important to remain cautious about contraception to avoid unintended pregnancies.
●Stabilized the mother and child's Emotions
Physical closeness during breastfeeding fosters emotional stability for both mother and infant, contributing positively to the child's emotional development.
❷ Support for Breastfeeding
This segment offers crucial advice to aid in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding, focusing on enhancing milk supply and averting mastitis.
Breast milk is low in vitamin K, prompting the recommendation for newborns to be given 1 ml of vitamin K syrup weekly from just after birth until they reach 3 months. Should formula provide more than half of your infant's nutrition at their one-month checkup, additional vitamin K supplementation becomes unnecessary.
Nutrition and Emotional Well-being
The production and quality of breast milk are significantly impacted by the mother's nutritional intake and psychological well-being. Emphasizing a diet rich in nutrients and staying hydrated, alongside addressing any personal concerns early, are key strategies for fostering an abundant supply of healthy breast milk.
Comfortable Positioning for Both Mother and Baby:
Ensuring both you and your baby are comfortable during breastfeeding is essential. Modifying the height of your knees or using a pillow beneath your elbow can significantly ease the process, enhancing comfort for both of you.
Looking at the baby's face while Breastfeeding
Engaging in eye contact with your baby while nursing strengthens the emotional bond and ensures your baby is securely positioned. Gently supporting your breast can help your baby latch on more easily, making feeding smoother.
Stop smoking for your baby's health and your own health.
Stop drinking alcohol for the sake of your baby.
It is okay to take over-the-counter cold remedies or digestive aids for about 3 to 4 days. For other medication, always consult your healthcare provider.
A modest intake of coffee, black tea, or green tea after meals is generally acceptable.
First time breastfeeding
Many hospitals now support initiating breastfeeding right after birth. Although your initial milk supply may be modest, persistence is key. The first milk, known as colostrum, is packed with nutrients and disease-fighting antibodies. It's beneficial to feed your baby this early milk, even if it requires expressing it.
At this time, your baby's latching force is strong and nipple problems are likely to occur, so limit feeding time to 3 minutes at a time.
❸ Breast Care
Breast massages
Expect breast engorgement around 2 to 3 days postpartum. Performing 4-5 rounds of foundational breast massage before feeding can help. If you experience pain, applying a cold compress to the area can provide relief without affecting milk production.
To prepare for feeding, massage your nipples and the areola (the colored area around them) for 3 to 5 minutes per side to soften the area, enhancing comfort during breastfeeding.
Base massage
Conduct three circular motions at the base of each breast. (1 set)
・During pregnancy…Perform 1 set daily
・After giving birth… Perform 4 to 5 sets daily before breastfeeding
*Not necessary during pregnancy.
Nipple/Areola massage
Gently squeeze the tip of the nipple for this massage.
・During pregnancy…once a day for 1 minute on each side
(However, please refrain from this massage if there's any risk of miscarriage or premature labor.)
・After giving birth...3 to 5 minutes before each breastfeeding session
❹ Techniques for Breastfeeding
Preparation before Breastfeeding
Always wash your hands before breastfeeding. There's no need for disinfecting wipes on the nipple or surrounding area.
Effective Latching
●How to hold and contain
Maintain a straight posture, expand your chest slightly, and lean forward. Use one hand to support your baby's neck and the other to hold your breast, ensuring deep latch not just on the nipple but also on the areola. Vary your holding technique to distribute feeding evenly.
●Breastfeeding Duration
Feed your baby breast milk whenever they show hunger cues, tailoring the frequency to their unique needs.
How to include the nipple
Aim for a deep latch, encompassing both nipple and areola (the colored part around it). When your baby's gums press against the areola and suck on the nipple, milk comes out.
Optimizing Milk Flow
With around 20 milk ducts in the nipple, some release milk more forcefully. Gently express milk before feeding to identify these ducts, ensuring your baby does not obstruct them during feeding.
Ensure the nipple is properly placed in your baby's mouth and the breast does not impede breathing.
After breastfeeding
To mitigate the risk of spit-up due to swallowed air, hold your baby upright on your shoulder after feeding, gently patting their back to encourage burping.
❺ Combination of Breast and Formula Feeding
Both powdered and liquid formula are designed to closely mimic breast milk. Whether supplementing breast milk with formula (mixed feeding) or exclusively using formula (artificial feeding), both approaches can support healthy infant growth. Avoid letting breastfeeding become a source of stress.
Preparing Formula
・Make sure to always use sterilized equipment.
・Follow the instructions on the formula package for the correct amount and preparation method.
・Feed the prepared formula immediately and discard any unused portion.
FAQ
QI would like to breastfeed, but my breasts are not very large. I'm worried about whether milk will come out.
ABreast milk production is determined by the mother's overall health and nutrition, not by breast size.
Mammary glands, which produce milk, develop significantly during pregnancy and after birth. So, even with smaller breasts, proper management, such as wearing a non-compressive bra during pregnancy, can facilitate gland development and milk production.
Continuous self-massage and encouraging your baby to latch on frequently can also stimulate milk production.
If your nipples are inverted, and there are no signs of threatened preterm labor, it's beneficial to start massaging around the nipples and the areola during pregnancy to help draw out the nipples.
QI want to breastfeed, but my baby doesn't like it and won't latch onto my nipple. Do I have to feed it in a bottle every time?
AIf your baby is hesitant or unable to latch, possibly due to inverted or flat nipples, or insufficient milk supply, forcing them can lead to distress and increased resistance.
It's essential to identify the underlying issue, possibly with the help of a midwife, and address it. Once resolved, try breastfeeding again when your baby is calm and receptive.
QAfter breastfeeding, milk remains unexpressed and forms painful lumps, what should I do?
Ausing an ice pack can provide immediate relief. Avoid using vegetable-based compresses to prevent potential allergies in your baby.
If you develop a fever, it might indicate mastitis, warranting prompt consultation with your midwife or physician.
QMy breasts are getting more and more full of milk, my nipples are sore and it's hard to breastfeed.
AFor sore nipples, possibly due to cracks, altering your baby's latch angle or encouraging deeper latch onto the areola can help alleviate pain. If discomfort persists, consider expressing milk for bottle feeding to maintain production.
If experiencing burning pain in the nipple, it may signal an infection, necessitating medical consultation.
QWhat should I be careful about in order to continue breastfeeding while working after maternity leave?
APrior to resuming work, plan for breastfeeding by identifying opportunities for child care, locations for expressing milk, and options for storing milk at work.
Use work breaks to relieve breast pressure or express milk as needed. Frozen breast milk can be refrigerated for transport home.
At home, ensure to bond with your baby and breastfeed on demand.
Symptoms to watch out for
●Baby isn't gaining weight
(less than 500g per month)
●Fussiness
●Prolonged breastfeeding sessions
●Irregular breastfeeding intervals
●Baby doesn't drink much milk
●Tendency towards constipation
If such issues persist, seeking advice from a doctor, midwife, or public health nurse is recommended.
One PointWhen pumping and breastfeeding
●There might be situations where direct breastfeeding isn't feasible. In such cases, if you're pumping milk and bottle-feeding your baby, aim to feed your baby the expressed milk promptly.
●For infants in the NICU, expressed breast milk is often stored frozen. Utilizing special breast milk storage bags requires careful handling to avoid bacterial contamination, damage during storage, and leaks from overfilling. Ensure you receive detailed guidance from your midwife or nurse on proper storage and defrosting techniques.
●While freshly pumped breast milk can be frozen for later use, it's best to use it as soon as you can. For further advice on this, please consult with your midwife or nurse. Remember, once thawed, breast milk should not be refrozen.