Breastfeeding: the benefits and valuable advice on how to do it
Breastfeeding is a practice that is always highly recommended by all medical specialists, especially because it brings enormous benefits and advantages to both the mother and the baby. Breast milk is in fact the baby's first food, crucial for its growth in health and well-being. It is the ideal food not only because it is provided by nature, but because it is a complete meal, which requires no additions of any kind, is sterile and hygienic, always ready for use, at the request of the child, at the ideal temperature and with the right nutritional components. What are the benefits for the mother and for the baby? And what advice should you follow to make the most of the benefits of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding: the video explaining the benefits
Breastfeeding is the most beneficial and beneficial way to feed your baby. Whenever possible, medical specialists advise to do this. In this video, our midwife explains why it is good to give breast milk to your baby. However, there are many cases in which this is not possible, and in that case the mother can still use artificial milk.
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The benefits and advantages of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has many advantages and benefits for both mother and baby. In fact, many researches have shown that thanks to its composition, breast milk is the best possible food for the baby. The beneficial effects are also seen on the mother, not only from an emotional point of view, but also from a physiological point of view. Let's see which are the main ones!
The benefits for the baby
Thanks to its nutritional values, which change according to the different stages of lactation, breast milk is very important for the baby. Let's see the main advantages:
- Breastfeeding increases the baby's immune defenses by providing it with antibodies
- the composition of the milk changes over time, according to the physical needs that the baby develops from month to month
- breastfeeding prevents diseases in the baby such as diarrhea, otitis, nasopharyngitis, bronchiolitis and other gastrointestinal or respiratory disorders
- facilitates the baby's digestion
- prevents future ailments of the child, such as allergies, diabetes and obesity
- allows correct positioning of the mandible and maxilla
- creates a strong bond with the mother
Breastfeeding: the advantages for the mother
Even the mother can take advantage of many benefits thanks to breastfeeding. Some of these are also long-term, and there are several studies that seem to confirm them. Let's see which are the main ones:
- Breastfeeding helps you lose weight after childbirth, regaining your ideal weight: breastfeeding burns many calories, eliminating the excess weight acquired during pregnancy
- during the first months of the baby's life, breastfeeding accelerates the puerperium and the mother's return to normal, thanks to uterine contractions stimulated by giving milk
- reduces the risk of breast cancer: if you breastfeed, the risk of getting cancer is reduced throughout the period until menopause
- it helps to increase milk production, to be able to keep it and nourish the baby even longer
- reduces the incidence of ovarian cancer: an estimated 27% reduction in ovarian cancer in mothers who have breastfed in the past
- breastfeeding causes the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormone that helps counteract frequent post-partum disorders, such as postpartum depression, or even simple tiredness and exhaustion
- creates a deep, strong and lasting bond between mother and baby
- prevents and reduces the risk of getting diabetes before menopause
Breastfeeding: tips on how to do it right from positions to quantities
To breastfeed well, it is important to follow several tips, from the positions in which to hold the baby, and in which you must be yourself, to the quantities to be administered. There are so many things to know, and many you will learn with experience, but here are some simple instructions to follow especially when you are breastfeeding the first few days.
The breastfeeding position: the best way to breastfeed is seated, with good support behind the back and under the arm that will hold the baby's head. The arm needs support in order not to get tired, so that the baby does not notice any change in position, and continues to suckle completely emptying the breast. Only in this way will you avoid problems such as breast engorgement or mastitis. The baby's head should be oriented directly towards the nipple, not to the side. In this way the baby's mouth will be able to contain both the nipple and a part of the breast, helping the sucking of the milk. If you are nursing while lying flat, still make sure you use enough pillows for support behind your back and under the baby's head. Completely emptying the breast will then facilitate greater milk production for subsequent feedings. Also for this reason, it is important not to skimp on the quantities of milk: do not deny feedings to the baby, and take your time. Breastfeeding can take about 7 to 40 minutes, but let the baby decide at his own pace.
Breastfeeding: how to start in the first few days?
The most delicate moment is that of breastfeeding in the first few days. It is important not to get caught up in tension and start breastfeeding immediately, if that is your intention. Here are the essential things to know:
- the baby starts immediately with the instinct to search for the breast, and as soon as he manages to latch on to the nipple, he almost immediately activates the sucking reflex
- the milk rising, which begins a few days after birth, is naturally stimulated by the baby's sucking
- lactation lives in three phases: the first milk, colostrum, which is already released during the eighth and ninth month of pregnancy, gives the baby the first nourishment, then a transition milk arrives, in the 5 or 6 days after birth . Then the mature milk, the last phase, has a composition with more sugars and carbohydrates and less proteins and mineral salts than in the beginning
- especially the first few times, you may feel pain in the nipples as soon as the baby begins to suck: put a finger between the mouth and the nipple and start again slowly
- the pain of breastfeeding can also be caused by rising milk: the breasts harden and make you feel pain. Try taking a hot shower by gently massaging the breasts
- while breastfeeding, pay attention to your diet, there are foods that you should even avoid, such as sausages, shellfish, some vegetables and vegetables such as peppers or asparagus. Many foods can change the taste of milk, make it too fatty, and above all cause colic in the baby
Breastfeeding: What to Eat and What to Avoid?
In this video, our midwife and expert explains why your nutrition is so important if you are breastfeeding.What can you eat, and what should you avoid instead? In addition to poorly indicated foods, you must also avoid smoking and alcohol, out of respect for your health and that of your baby. Find out all about the diet to follow to breastfeed your baby in the best way!
