Mother’s Breast Milk and the Power of Breastfeeding
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Let us see other benefits of breast milk:– Both to the babies and the mother
Benefits to the baby
Short-term benefits: Breastfeed babies are less prone to respiratory (cold and cough) infections and diarrhea.
Long-term benefits:
Research studies have shown breast feeding enhances brain development and increases IQ, because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These babies are less prone to have obesity, diabetes mellitus, eczema, asthma, and allergic diseases in later life.
Benefits to the mother:
- Reduces the post-delivery bleeding and anemia.
- Helps delay the next pregnancy.
- It has a protective effect over ovarian and breast cancer.
- Decreases the osteoporosis ( softening of bones ).
The initial milk is thick and yellowish; it is called Colostrum. It is highly nutritive and provides resistance to the baby against various infections. After a few days, the milk becomes gradually watery. It contains Two parts, Fore milk and hand milk.
Fore milk: It is the first 1st portion of milk and is watery and thin; it quenches the thirst of the baby.
Hind milk: It is the last portion of milk; it is thick and contains more fat; it gives energy and appeases hunger of the baby.
How is Milk produced?
It consists of two stages:
1) Milk formation
2) Milk ejection
- When baby suckles mother’s nipples, nerves are stimulated, signals are sent to brain and Prolactin hormone is produced, which helps in milk formation.
- So frequent suckling helps in adequate milk production.
- Ejection and flow of milk to the baby from the breast, is due to another hormone oxytocin.
- Oxytocin is released due to:
- Sucking of the baby at the nipple
- Mental state of the mother– happy, lovingly thinking of baby, being confident about breast feeding helps in adequate milk supply.
- If the mother is anxious and worried that she is not getting sufficient milk, oxytocin reflex is inhibited and milk ejection will be affected.
Good lactation practice:(2 steps)
Proper positioning of baby:
Baby’s neck is straight or slightly bent & whole body is supported
Baby is turned towards mother
Eye contact between mother and baby established
![Breastfeeding](https://drandalslakshmifertilityclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3.jpg)
- Baby’s mouth should catch hold of the areola(the black part around the nipple)
- Only then when the baby suckles, milk flow into to baby’s mouth.
- When the baby is poorly attached breast milk is not effectively transferred and it may seem that milk is not enough.
- If the baby catches only the nipple, due to the Pressure of sucking – a sore nipple, later cracked nipple occurs.
Factors affecting breastfeeding:
When the First breastfeeding is delayed- sometimes it is difficult to establish milk production later.
Frequent breastfeeding leads to a decrease in Prolactin formation, and decreased milk production.
Improper positioning and attachment.
Use of bottles and pacifiers leads to nipple confusion, so the baby refuses to suckle the breast.
Checking About Enough Milk:
1. Adequate weight gain of the baby
2. Passing urine more than six times a day (in 24 hours)
The Baby gets enough breastfeed:
- Be confident.
- Ensure that the baby sucks enough and frequently.
- See that the baby sucks effectively in the correct position.
Diets to produce sufficient milk:
1) Cereals and their products, milk and milk products, eggs, meat, fish, poultry, and plant protein , like pulses, legumes, nuts, and oilseeds, Green leafy vegetables, carrots, beetroot, and Fruits
Spices: Fenugreek, Fennel, Cumin Seeds, Garlic, Bread, Rice
2) Plenty of water/liquids (90% of milk contains water)
3) Adequate sleep resulting in proper hormone balance.
4)Adequate Hemoglobin status (anemia results in lactation failure, as blood is converted to milk)
Storage of milk :Breast milk can be stored in a refrigerator for 24 hours and at room temperature for 8 hours.
1.Refrigerated breast milk should not be heated, as it will destroy protective substances.
2.It should be brought to room temperature before being fed by a cup.
Role of Husband During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
Helping the wife with child care, so that she can rest.
Making the wife feel good about herself by praising her job as a mother.
Avoid:
He should not doubt the wife’s ability to provide enough milk for the baby.
In case he smokes, he should not smoke in the baby’s room.
Let all Mothers have strong intentions to feed the baby with love & positive thoughts so that all future citizens will bring Health, Joy, Peace & Prosperity to Mother Earth.
For more information regarding Breast milk, you can go through our book “TALKING TO THE BABY IN THE WOMB – GARBHA VIDYA” which is available in different languages on our website https://drandalslakshmifertilityclinic.com/books.php
The aim of this book is to allay the anxiety and fear of the pregnant mother and to aim at bringing a great personality onto this earth by virtue of her thoughts and talking to the baby in the womb.
Let us try to bring in a society, just by passing this information to every pregnant mother such that in the time to come, we may have an evolved and peaceful society.
You can also go through our videos on YouTube: ANDAL FERTILITY CHANNEL where most of the videos have English subtitles.
Click on this link for videos https://bit.ly/35c65BP
For online consultation contact 9440278177, 9908854316