As a mom, breastfeeding is an incredibly important part of the parenting journey.

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Not only is it incredibly healthy for babies, but it can help create a special bond between mother and child. But despite all the positive benefits of breastfeeding, there are still many facts that moms need to know before committing to this natural process.

From understanding how long your milk will last to what foods you should be eating while breastfeeding, this blog post dives into the realities of breastfeeding in 2022.

Read on for all the information you need to make sure your baby is getting the best nutrition possible!

Breastfeeding which is also known as nursing, is feeding babies & infants with milk from woman’s breast.

It is highly recommended to start breastfeeding within the first hour after the baby is born and continue at least up to the period of 6 months.

Additionally, it is suggested that the baby is exclusively breast fed for first 6 months and no other external diet should be given to the baby.

It is very important for a nursing mother to know several facts about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding History

Breastfeeding is one of the world’s oldest activities, with evidence of women breastfeeding their children extending back to ancient times. This is so natural and natural that it is done by all mammals!

Despite its lengthy history, breastfeeding has recently gained popularity as more moms choose to breastfeed their children.

This rise in popularity is most likely owing to the huge benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.

Breastfeeding has several advantages, including:

When a baby’s digestive tract is still developing, nothing beats breast milk.
Breastfeeding contributes to the development of a great bond between mother and baby.
Breastfed newborns had a lower risk of developing obesity or other chronic health problems later in life.

With so many advantages, it’s no surprise that more and more moms are opting to breastfeed their babies!

First of all why Breast Milk?

Breast milk is considered to be a wholesome source of nutrition for a newborn.

The first milk that a mother gives is known as colostrum which is thick, yellowish, and scant and helps in the development of the digestive system.

Breast milk contains nutrients that promote the growth and development of newborns. It also includes antibodies that help keep babies healthy.

Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. It can also improve the bond between mother and child.

Breast milk has a proper balance of proteins, vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates and thus helps in the overall growth of a baby. It is also easier to digest as compared to cow’s milk or formula milk.

What makes breast milk so special?

Breast milk is specially intended to meet the requirements of a newborn.

It is made specifically to meet the nutritional goals of a baby’s growth and development, and it contains antibodies that support the baby’s immune system.

Breast milk contains active enzymes, hormones, and fatty acids that formula does not. Breastfeeding continues to be associated with health benefits for both mother and baby, according to research.

Benefits of Breastfeeding on Mother

Mothers are also highly benefited by breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for both mother and child. This can help a mother bond with her baby, lose pregnancy weight, and reduce stress. Breastfeeding can also help prevent the infant from various diseases and illnesses.

Some of the most significant benefits of breastfeeding for mothers are:

Weight loss

Many moms are eager to lose a few pounds after nine months of pregnancy. While breastfeeding may not suddenly melt away all of your post-baby weight, it can definitely help. Breastfeeding burns more calories, which can help you lose weight.

Mother-Baby Bonding

Breastfeeding is an excellent method to bond with your baby. Skin-to-skin contact and eye contact during breastfeeding can help you feel close to your baby.

Stress relief

When a baby breastfeeds, the “love hormone” oxytocin is produced. This hormone offers calming and relaxing effects on both the baby and the mother, reducing stress and boosting relaxation.

Minimize risk of certain diseases and illnesses

Breastfeeding can help lower a baby’s chance of acquiring certain diseases and illnesses, such as diabetes, obesity, and asthma.
It may also minimize the mother’s likelihood of developing breast, ovarian, or osteoporosis.

Reduction in Uterus size

There is reduction in size of uterus is seen, due to release of a hormone called oxytocin which in turn reduces uterine bleeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding on baby

Breastfeeding had many benefits for both mother and baby. Breastmilk provides antibodies to the baby, which help defend against infection and support healthy gut flora.

Breastmilk is also simple to digest and contains all of the nutrients that a baby requires for proper growth and development.

Breastfeeding also lowers the chance of acquiring chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol later in life.

Breast milk contains various antibodies that helps infant to fight against various bacterial and viral diseases. It also reduces the risk of asthma, diarrhea, and ear infections.

It is found breast fed babies have higher IQ.

Breastfeeding has also been demonstrated to increase cognitive performance and brain development.

It is not only excellent for the baby, but it is also wonderful for the mother.

Breastfeeding, as previously said, can benefit in postpartum weight reduction, lower the chance of getting some forms of cancer, and reduce stress levels in the mother.

It’s also a fantastic way for mother and baby to bond with each other.

Breast milk contains various antibodies that helps infant to fight against various bacterial and viral diseases. It also reduces the risk of asthma, diarrhea, and ear infections. It is found breast fed babies have higher IQ.

How to Breastfeed, Guide for Mom

Mothers are frequently advised to breastfeed their babies for at least the first year of life.

Breastfeeding offers many benefits for both mom and baby, such as bonding between mother and baby, increasing immunity, and supporting healthy growth and development.

To begin, moms must learn how to position themselves and their babies for comfortable breastfeeding.

They must also be aware of various feeding holds, such as the cradle and cross-cradle holds. Once properly positioned, the infant should suck onto the breast.

If the infant does not latch properly, the mother may experience pain and find it difficult to continue feeding.

In addition to posture and latching, moms must be aware of how frequently and for how long they should feed.

Newborns normally require feedings every two to three hours, however, this might vary based on the baby’s particular requirements.

Babies will nurse less frequently but for longer amounts of time as they get older.

Moms should be conscious of clues that their baby is receiving adequate milk. Satisfied after feedings, appropriate wet and dirty diapers, and consistent weight increase are examples.

If a mom has any worries about her baby’s nutrition or development, she should consult with her doctor.

How to stop Breastfeeding?

Diminishing and finally stopping breastfeeding is known as weaning.

There are a few things you can do to ease the process of weaning your child from breastfeeding.

Abrupt stopping of breast feeding can have adverse effects on body.

The most effective way is to drop one feed at a time.

This can be replaced by formula milk but if the child is already having other foods or drinks no replacement feed is needed.

Once, the baby settles with one less feed, after 5-7 days, one more feed can be dropped and the same procedure can be continued. Read more about weaning.

If you need guidance, don’t be afraid to seek advice from a doctor.

Breastfeeding Challenges for Mother

Breastfeeding can result in a number of difficulties for a woman. Here are some of the most frequent problems:

Breastfeeding in public

Many moms are self-conscious about breastfeeding in public. They may be concerned about people watching or making unpleasant statements.

Many jurisdictions have laws protecting a mother’s right to breastfeed in public, yet some moms still feel uncomfortable doing so.

Lack of support

A mother’s choice to breastfeed may be opposed by family or friends. This might make it difficult to find somebody to talk to about breastfeeding issues or to seek help if needed.

Painful nipples

One of the most common reasons for moms discontinuing feeding is sore or cracked nipples. It can be very painful, especially in the first few days after giving birth.

Sore nipples can be prevented by making sure that the baby latches on properly. Dry and cracked nipples can be avoided by ceasing the use of soaps and perfumed lotions and using lanolin instead.

There are numerous ways to treat and avoid this issue, so if pain persists, visit a healthcare consultant.

Swollen breast

This is when the breasts get swollen with milk and can be quite painful.

The swollen breast can occur when a baby is not fed frequently enough or when a woman tries to wean her baby off breast milk too rapidly.

Wearing a supportive bra and applying cold packs to the affected area will help alleviate this problem to some extent.

Poor milk production

One of the most common concerns for breastfeeding moms is a lack of milk supply. Power pumping and taking specific supplements are two techniques for increasing milk production.

If this is a concern, it is necessary to get guidance and support from a healthcare physician or lactation consultant.

Lip or tongue tie

A lip or tongue tie might interfere with a baby’s ability to latch correctly and obtain sufficient milk from the breast.

This might create discomfort for the mother when nursing and result in reduced milk production. If this problem is detected, it is essential to get medical attention.

Breastfeeding beyond infancy

Many moms are concerned about how they will continue to nurse their child after he or she begins eating solid food.

Breastfeeding may be continued up to the age of two or three with the proper information and support.

Returning to work

It might be difficult for a mother to maintain her nursing bond with her newborn when she returns to work after having a baby.

Pumping at work and supplying expressed milk as required can assist women in maintaining their nursing bond when they are away from their newborns.

Blockage of ducts and mastitis

Blocked ducts can be treated with compression and gentle massage. Mastitis requires antibiotic treatment and should be taken after the consultation of physician.

These are just a handful of the various difficulties that women may encounter when nursing. It is essential to seek advice and support whenever necessary, as breastfeeding has many benefits for both mother and baby.

Bottle feeding after stoppage of Breastfeeding

Weaning is the important aspect in mother’s life.

Many moms are concerned about their milk production if they quit breastfeeding. You don’t need to worry about it since your body will become used to it.

You may suffer some swelling following weaning, but your breasts will gradually return to pre-pregnancy size.

If you are bottle-feeding your child after you have stopped nursing, you should be aware that there are many different types of formula available.

Consult your physician about the best type of formula for your kid. There are also other brands of formula available, so test a couple to determine which one your kid loves.

After breastfeeding, when one moves to bottle feeding it should be made sure that proper equipment are used for bottle feeding.

It is also critical to ensure that you are using the appropriate size nipple for the baby’s age. If the nipple is too tiny, the baby may struggle to suck and get irritated.

The infant may choke on the milk or formula if the nipple is too big. Consult a lactation consultant or your physician to determine the appropriate size nipple for your baby’s age and stage of development.