Bringing up Baby.

Whether to breast-feed is an individual decision that should be made by you. In making your decision, however, you should be aware of certain beliefs that the medical profession now holds about the advantage of breast-feeding. Breast feeding will help you get back into shape internally, because it releases certain hormones that cause mild contractions of the uterus. Breast-feeding is also much more convenient. It does not require paraphernalia that other forms of feeding do. And it certainly is easier on your budget.

Doctors today recommend breast-feeding because scientific studies have demonstrated that mother’s milk is better for babies than any other food. There is also growing evidence to indicate that the nutrients in mother’s milk are more usable by the infant. Break-fed babies are less susceptible to disease. Breast milk and colostrum contain factors that increase the baby’s protection to certain diseases. A baby will digest breast milk better than cow milk, which leaves a curd that is more difficult for the baby’s delicate digestive system to handle.

A lactating mother requires more protein and calories than usual. For a vegetarian, the required proteins and calories can be got from nuts, cereals, lentils, milk and vegetables;

In the hospitals, after baby is born, the staff will ensure that you get plenty of rest. Try to follow the same rules after you take baby back home. Ask others at home for help and don’t be too fussy about house-keeping. Expend your energy on feeding and loving your baby and family first. Let others task go if they tire you. Start giving yourself some time, too. Don’t become completely baby centered.

while you are breast feeding Baby, you will need more nutrition than if you were merely feeding yourself. you will need a well-balanced diet that has 500 to 600 calories more than you need to maintain good health when you are nursing. You also needs plenty of fluids, particularly milk, for calcium and citrus juice, for vitamin C.

Your doctor will probably want you to cut out, or at least restrict, cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, drugs and medicines. You must tell your doctor about any drugs you are taking. Since this could be passed through your milk to your baby, the doctor may suggest substitutes if it is a medication you need. One the other hand, it may be the kind of medication that is not transmitted through breast-feeding. whatever type it is, your doctor should be fully informed of All your medication and drugs.

They are several misconceptions about breast-feeding a baby. Some mothers discontinue breast-feeding if the second pregnancy occurs during the lactating period, as they believe that it is both wrong and dangerous to breast feed during pregnancy. This is not true. You may continue to feed your baby as long as you like.

Protuberances(usually conical) in the center of the areola. Each contains 15 to 25 milk ducts. It is good to toughen your nipples before the baby is born. Expose your breasts to air and sunlight for a few minutes every day. Some women have retracted nipples which can be corrected by pulling them out a few times a day in the last trimester(three months) of pregnancy.

Sore nipples are due to engorged breasts or caused by feeding the baby in an unsuitable position. Sore nipples appear red and are extremely painful when the baby sucks on them. The best way to solve the problem of sore nipples is prevention. If you have taken steps to toughen steps to toughen your nipples, made sure your body is sucking in the correct manner and know the correct way to “break the seal”, this is get the baby off your breast, you probably won’t have sore nipples then.To get the baby off the breast, simply insert a clean finger gently into the corner of the baby’s mouth. Press it away from the breast. Don’t try to pull the baby away; the vacuum created by suckling can be very hard on your nipples. To overcome nipples already sored, nurse more frequently for shorter periods, and rub Vaseline or edible oil in between feeds, but be sure to remove it throughly before the baby nurses. Also excess out the extra milk to prevent engorgement.

Milk that is manually released from the breasts. Expressed milk can be fed to babies who are not able to suck directly from breasts. For instance, in the case. For instance, in the case of babies with a low birth-weight, premature babies with a low birth-weight, premature babies and babies with cleft palates. Expressed milk can also be given to the baby when the mother’s breasts are engorged. Working mothers can express their milk and leave it in a sterile container for someone else to feed the baby. Expressed milk can be stored in the refrigerator and used within 48 hours.

Wash your hands throughly before expressing your milk. Hold a clean and sterile container under your breast. Then place the thumb and the first two fingers about 1′ to 1 1/2 behind the nipple. Position the thumb above and the fingers below the nipple. Then push backward towards your chest. Next roll the thumb and fingers forward. Repeat this sequence with your right hand and then your left hand counter clockwise around your nipple until enough milk is collected and discomfort eased.

Even breast-fed babies will sometimes swallow a little air. Be sure to burp him at least once during the feeding as well as afterwards. No two babies burp alike. But until you know your baby’s style, bring up the bubbles by rubbing gently up and down along his spine, especially between the shoulder blades, while he falls over your hand or your shoulder. This pressure forces more gas from the area, where it generally collects. If you lay your baby on his stomach afterwards, the last bubbles usually come up in about fifteen minutes. Some babies bring up a bit of milk now and then. This is harmless. If no burp is forthcoming, don’t try to force one; perhaps your baby hasn’t swallowed any air and doesn’t need to burp.

At first the breasts will make colostrum. This is thick and yellowish and contains important proteins and immuno-globin which are very good for the baby. Colostrum-fed babies are protected against infections and allergies.

Your milk will began to flow around the third day, with your breasts becoming swollen and hard but tender to the touch. This discomfort ends in about five days. But while it lasts, it can be relieved with an ice pack or, strangely enough, a hot bath.

Breast-feeding is only a reflex phenomenon. The more strongly the baby sucks, the better will be the flow of the milk. To initiate feeding, touch the lip or side of the cheek of the newborn with the nipple. Baby will open his mouth. Slip the nipple into his mouth. Baby will now take it and soon start licking and sucking it. This is the baby’s “rooting reflex” at work. Make the most of this instinct for sucking in the early days to encourage feeding.

Don’t push the nipple straight into the baby’s mouth from the front. He will be put off. You will be clumsy at first. So will the baby. Furious at his hunger one moment, losing the nipple the next, then dropping off to sleep in the middle of his meal-you both have a lot to learn. But take it easy. Anxiety and worry can interrupt your milk production and flow. But your desire to feed will help stimulate the milk to secrete.

At first the breasts will make colostrum. This is thick and yellowish and contains important proteins and immuno-globin which are very good for the baby. Colostrum-fed babies are protected against infections and allergies.

Your milk will began to flow around the third day, with your breasts becoming swollen and hard but tender to the touch. This discomfort ends in about five days. But while it lasts, it can be relieved with an ice pack or, strangely enough, a hot bath.

Breast-feeding is only a reflex phenomenon. The more strongly the baby sucks, the better will be the flow of the milk. To initiate feeding, touch the lip or side of the cheek of the newborn with the nipple. Baby will open his mouth. Slip the nipple into his mouth. Baby will now take it and soon start licking and sucking it. This is the baby’s “rooting reflex” at work. Make the most of this instinct for sucking in the early days to encourage feeding.

Don’t push the nipple straight into the baby’s mouth from the front. He will be put off. You will be clumsy at first. So will the baby. Furious at his hunger one moment, losing the nipple the next, then dropping off to sleep in the middle of his meal-you both have a lot to learn. But take it easy. Anxiety and worry can interrupt your milk production and flow. But your desire to feed will help stimulate the milk to secrete.

Today, the pendulum is swinging back in favor of breast-feeding. More and more doctors recommend nursing for its ease, its nutrition and its special joy.

Before you nurse, you must understand that nursing isn’t a test of your material ability, but the completion of a natural cycle. It is also very convenient. However, nursing is an individual decision. Your decision to breast-feed is one which you should feel comfortable. On the other hand, if your feelings are not as enthusiastic as the Earth Mother type, you may still want to give it a try. Some women who have started hesitantly have become strong advocates of breast-feeding.

Unless your doctor advises against nursing for health reasons, nine times out of ten you will be glad you tried it, even if you are going back to work soon. No matter what size your breasts, you probably can produce good milk, and enough of it, if you relax, take a daily nap and eat well. Avoid any foods the doctor says may cause rashes, constipation or gas in the baby.

When you breast-feed, you will need to wear a nursing bra day and night, so the extra weight doesn’t make you sag. Put cotton pads or clean handkerchiefs in the bras to absorb any leakage.