Breastfeeding is very important because it’s the best start for your baby growth. It’s my favorite topic as breastfeeding is the best food you can give your baby. In this post of A to Z Guide to pregnancy, we’re discussing things you should know about Breastfeeding.

Things to know about Breastfeeding

So follow your maternal instincts and your baby’s demands to make your breastfeeding experience a successful and enjoyable one!

What are the Nutritional Requirements in the Neonate?

The infant should get adequate calorie and sufficient fluid. 

What should I know about Breastfeeding?

Exclusive Breastfeeding means giving nothing orally other than colostrum and breast milk. All the babies, regardless of the type of delivery, should be breastfed up to 6 months of age. Every 30 ml of breast milk gives 20 calories.

What are the Cons of Breastfeeding?

The composition of Breast Milk:

• Breast milk is an ideal food for easy digestion and low osmotic load.
• Carbohydrates: Mainly lactose, stimulates the growth of intestinal flora, produces organic acids needed for synthesis of vitamin B.
• Fat : Smaller fat globules , better emulsified and digested .
• Protein: Rich in lactalbumin and lactoglobulin, less in casein.
• Minerals: low osmotic load, less burden on the kidney.
• Protection against infection and deficiency States
• Vitamin D promotes bone growth, protects the baby against rickets.
• Leukocytes prevent the growth of infective agents.
• Lysozyme, lactoferrin, interferon – protect against infection.
• Long chain omega -3 fatty acids – essential for neurological development.
• Immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, IgG protect against infection.
• Supply of nutrients and vitamins

Breast milk is a readily available food to the newborn at body temperature and without any cost. Breastfeeding acts as natural contraception to the mother.

Additional advantages are:

1. It has a laxative action.
2. No risk of allergy.
3. The psychological benefit of mother-child bonding.
4. Helps involution of the uterus.
5. Lessens the incidence of sore buttocks, gastrointestinal infection and atopic eczema.
6. The incidence of scurvy and rickets is significantly reduced.

When should the First Feed be given?

In the absence of anatomical or medical complications, a healthy baby is put to the breast. Immediately or at most 1/2 – 1 hr following Normal Delivery, 4-6 hours following cesarean delivery or as advised by the Doctor.

The frequency of feeding:

• Time schedule:  At starting feeding should be done at an interval of 2-3 hours and gradually it can be done at an interval of 3-4 hour.
• Demand feeding: the baby is put to breast as soon as the baby becomes hungry. There is no restriction on the number of feeds and the duration of suckling time.
• Duration of feed:  The initial feeding should last for 5-10 minutes at each breast. Thereafter the time spent is gradually increasing.

The amount of food:  The average requirement of milk on:

• First day – 60 ml/kg/24 hours
• Third day – 100 ml/kg/24 hours
• Tenth day – 150 ml/kg/24 hours

However, the  baby can take as much as he wants

Breastfeeding burns your extra calories, reduce uterine bleeding, one of the methods of contraception. It also reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.