Breastfeeding

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Breastfeeding

In the United States many women feel that exclusive breastfeeding is only necessary for the first six months of life, when in fact breastfeeding is helpful for a minimum of 12 months. The World Health Organization advises that parents continue partial breastfeeding for as long as they want.

Unfortunately only 66 percent of women in the United States breastfeed, and of those that do only 22 percent do so for at least six months. There are many factors that may impact women’s want to breastfeed. We’ll describe some of these.

Prenatal Education and Instruction

The amount of prenatal education and instruction women get on breastfeeding may influence their decision to breastfeed. There are several educational interventions that may influence a woman’s choice for breastfeeding. Among educational programs recommended to help promote breastfeeding include:

• Antepartum Programs that teach breastfeeding and counsel women about the benefits of continuing breastfeeding for months beyond the birth of the baby.
• Programs that teach problem-solving, particularly those offered by lactation experts to help women overcome the problems that sometimes go with breastfeeding.
• Continuing education support to help mothers continue breastfeeding despite obstacles that may arise in the early months.

Doctors should also work to help support breastfeeding and educate patients about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Newborn Babies

There are many benefits of breastfeeding. Some of the more common benefits include:

• Best nutrition for babies that adapts as the baby grows and develops.
• Improved immunity to help prevent and combat infection.
• Increased intelligence as adults.
• Decreased susceptibility to allergens.

There are also benefits to mothers, including increased contractions of the uterus to help reduce blood loss after delivery. Researchers also believe women who breastfeed are also less at risk for breast cancer.

Breastfeeding Contraindications

• Mothers who have HIV or Human T lymphotropic virus type I.
• Women who abuse drugs, because the newborn baby receives the drugs through the breast milk.
• Women who are taking antineoplastic or antimetabolic drugs, certain anticonvulsants and some mood altering medications. It is important you consult with your doctor is you take prescribed medications to assure their safety during breastfeeding.
• A condition called galactosemia. Babies with this condition aren’t able to digest and use the galactose found in human milk.

Diet and Breastfeeding

Most women can breastfeed even if they have a poor diet. Good nutrition is much better for the baby. Researchers recommend that women take a high quality multivitamin or prenatal supplement even while breastfeeding to help supplement the diet and provide enough vitamins and minerals for lactation.

The types of foods you eat may influence the flavor and odor of your breast milk. This may influence the types of foods your baby selected and eats later in life.

Deciding To Breastfeed

There are many reasons a mother may choose to breastfeed or not. Most women start breastfeeding because they believe it is best for their babies. Other mothers make the choice to breastfeed out of a strong wish to bond with their newborn baby.

There is some evidence suggesting that maternal and family histories may influence a woman’s decision to breastfeed. This is the case among women of lower socio-economic classes. The more likely a parent and other relatives are to breastfeed the more likely new mothers are to do so as well. Women who are older are also more likely to breastfeed.

There is some research that suggests women who opt to formula feed lack the self-confidence necessary to breastfeed successfully. This suggests that enough education and support may help improve a mother’s confidence and encourage her to start or continue the breastfeeding relationship.

Prenatal Factors Influencing Breastfeeding

During the prenatal time frame your doctor conducts several examinations to decide whether you are a good candidate for breastfeeding. There are some conditions that may impact your ability to breastfeeds. Here are some common conditions your doctor may look for:

Hypoplastic breast tissue: When a woman has hypoplastic breast tissue, there is not enough glandular tissue in the breasts to support breastfeeding. If you have this condition you may not be able to produce much breast milk.

Abnormal Nipples: Some women have irregularly shaped nipples that can complicate nursing. Some common problems include rigid, inverted or flat nipples. Each of these conditions may make it difficult for your baby to latch on to your nipples. With some work however it may still be possible to breastfeed your baby even with these conditions.

Prior Breast Surgery: Sometimes breast surgery including breast augmentation or breast reduction may interfere with your body’s ability to produce milk. Usually this happens when doctors make incisions near the areola. These incisions may sever milk ducts and disrupt the flow of milk to the nipple. Other women who have underwent surgery may be more at risk for clogged milk ducts, mastitis or other problems.

Breastfeeding Introduction

Once you have your baby to improve your chance of setting up an ideal breastfeeding relationship you should try to breastfeed within the first hour of delivery. This is the time your baby is most alert. You may not be able to do this if you have had a cesarean section or your baby has complications at birth. If this is the case breastfeed as soon as you are able.

Frequency and Length of Feedings

You should breastfeed your baby on demand. Nursing frequency varies. Some women will breastfeed every hours whereas other babies will eat every two hours initially. There are several factors that may influence your baby’s demand including your milk supply, the efficiency with which your baby consumes milk and the weight of your baby. Most newborn babies will eat eight to 12 times every day initially.

As your baby becomes a more efficient eater he will need to eat less often. During the first week or so of life, you may need to wake your baby to nurse every four hours at night. This helps you set up a strong milk supply.

Reading Your Baby’s Feeding Cues

Many moms worry whether they will be able to tell when their baby is hungry. Feeding on demand requires that you recognize your baby’s hunger cues. Some common hunger cues include sucking motions with the lips, sucking on the hands or fists, fussiness and agitation. If you miss your baby’s cues agitation will turn to persistent and loud crying.

You can usually tell your baby is done feeding when he pulls off the breast. During the first few months of life many babies will fall asleep after they are full.

Postpartum Evaluation of Breastfeeding

Before you leave the hospital your lactation consultant or doctor should evaluate your breastfeeding relationship and help you identify whether any problems exist. Latch on most often presents the biggest challenge to new mothers. Latching is your baby’s ability to create a seal around the nipple with his or her lips. This helps your baby remove milk from your breast efficiently without taking in too much air. Common signs a latch on problem exists include sore, red or cracked nipples.

When your baby breastfeeds he or she should be taking in the entire nipple and a good portion or your areola. Some reasons your baby may not latch on correctly include engorgement or nipple abnormalities. When your breasts engorge, you can usually pump a little bit so they are not as rigid when your baby tries to feed.

Here are some signs of a poor latch on to look for:

• Sunken or puckered appearance of the cheeks.
• Clicking sound as baby draws milk in.
• Absence of tongue between the nipple and breast.
• Pain when suckling.

Measuring the Milk Your Baby Gets

Usually if you hear your baby suckling and swallowing chances are your baby is getting enough breast milk. Many parents worry that their baby’s aren’t getting enough breast milk because they can’t measure the amount their babies are eating.

Chances are however, if your baby is consistently gaining weight and producing 6-8 wet diapers a day, you are providing your baby with enough breastmilk. Your baby should also have 2-4 stools every day.

Keep in mind some babies will lose a little weigh during the first week of life, but should regain this weight by two weeks postpartum. Most infant’s loss about 5 to 7 percent of their body weight during the first few days of life, until you establish a strong breastfeeding relationship.

Supplementing With Formula

Sometimes supplementation with formula may be necessary, particularly if your baby is not thriving. Commercial breast milk can encourage further development in these cases.

You may offer supplemental feedings to your baby in these cases when the baby shows signs of hunger. There are many things a mother can do to stimulate an increased breast supply if this is the problem. The more a baby suckles at the breasts the more breast milk is produced. In addition, babies should need to eat on demand to encourage enough nipple stimulation and an acceptable milk supply. Sometimes your doctor may recommend you pump to help stimulate your milk supply.

Keep in mind that formula supplementation often leads to early weaning. Thus if you make the decision to supplement you may find your baby weans sooner than you expected.

Remember when it comes to breastfeeding, breast truly is best for you and your baby. Consider meeting with a lactation consultant if you have additional questions or concerns about breastfeeding your newborn baby.