Life Desk :
We all know breastfeeding is best, especially with media reports and doctors talking about it so frequently. But the reality of breastfeeding moms is not talked about often.We all know breastfeeding is best, especially with media reports and doctors talking about it so frequently. B… Read More
We all know breastfeeding is best, especially with media reports and doctors talking about it so frequently. But the reality of breastfeeding moms is not talked about often.
Thirty two-year-old Baljeet Kaur couldn’t feed her first born because of some health complications, but when she got pregnant the second time, she was determined that her second born won’t have the same fate as the first one. However, a week after coming back home with the new born, she had to rush him to the hospital again. The baby was dehydrated and had to be admitted in the hospital for two days. Already broken emotionally by the news, she was told by some that it could have happened because the baby wasn’t fed properly. “Sometimes breastmilk isn’t enough,” they told her. Despite talking to lactation experts in the hospital, Baljeet introduced her child to formula milk on the 10th day. She breastfed and she pumped, but she gave formula too. Mind you, she is not alone. There are a lot of mothers like Baljeet, who end up giving top feed to their children because they are too scared to go wrong.
We spoke to Rekha Sudarsan, IBCLC, Masters in Psychology, CBE (Certified Breastfeeding Counsellor), Hypno- Birthing Practitioner, Progeny (www.progeny.in), who is also a member of Medela India Lactation Consultants Club to understand the nuances of breastfeeding.
Be it vaginal birth (normal delivery), caesarean or induced labour, the process of breastfeeding is the same for all. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), in case of normal delivery, the baby should be breast fed within the first half hour and in caesarean, within the first one and half hour. “Sadly there are many hospitals that keep the baby in nursery during those crucial hours and give formula milk as the first feed to the new born.”
Data shows that only 46.2 per cent mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. “I always tell expectant moms that as you prepare yourself for birthing, also prepare yourself for breastfeeding. It is one of the most crucial aspects of delivery. What’s also important is an environment conducive for breastfeeding!”
Most mothers get petrified seeing their newborns restless. They fear they are doing something wrong that the baby isn’t settling. “It is important for mothers to accept that a new born will cry, feed, pass urine, sleep and this is absolutely normal. He has just come out of his mother’s womb and is still getting used to the new surroundings. So he will cry and be restless too.”
Yet there are some warning signs that a new mother should watch out for. “Make sure that the baby isn’t passing urine less than 5 times in a day or isn’t drowsy or lethargic. Also, dry and flaky skin or high temperature could be a sign of dehydration. If this happens, rush him to the hospital.”
Most mothers mistake crying as a sign of hunger. “Your baby is not hungry every time he cries. The biggest mistake moms make is by putting them on breast every time the baby cries. It’s always good to feed on cue but it’s advisable to feed every two hours, which is approximately 8-10 times in 24 hours.” And if your baby sleeps for longer hours, pick him up and feed after at least after three hours. “Setting up a schedule always helps and that will make your life easy too.”
In India, the diet of a breastfeeding mom is heavily monitored but the approach is incorrect. “Eat whatever you would normally eat. The fragrance and taste of the food gets passed on to the baby, making the transition to normal food easier for him, since you have already made him familiar to the taste.”
We feed new mothers excess of carbohydrates. “In contrast, carbs is exactly what the mother should have in control. Her diet should be high on protein, water and milk.”
In the end, your child will test your patience and will make you want to give up on breastfeeding, but hold on to it; after all breast is best!
-Internet
We all know breastfeeding is best, especially with media reports and doctors talking about it so frequently. But the reality of breastfeeding moms is not talked about often.We all know breastfeeding is best, especially with media reports and doctors talking about it so frequently. B… Read More
We all know breastfeeding is best, especially with media reports and doctors talking about it so frequently. But the reality of breastfeeding moms is not talked about often.
Thirty two-year-old Baljeet Kaur couldn’t feed her first born because of some health complications, but when she got pregnant the second time, she was determined that her second born won’t have the same fate as the first one. However, a week after coming back home with the new born, she had to rush him to the hospital again. The baby was dehydrated and had to be admitted in the hospital for two days. Already broken emotionally by the news, she was told by some that it could have happened because the baby wasn’t fed properly. “Sometimes breastmilk isn’t enough,” they told her. Despite talking to lactation experts in the hospital, Baljeet introduced her child to formula milk on the 10th day. She breastfed and she pumped, but she gave formula too. Mind you, she is not alone. There are a lot of mothers like Baljeet, who end up giving top feed to their children because they are too scared to go wrong.
We spoke to Rekha Sudarsan, IBCLC, Masters in Psychology, CBE (Certified Breastfeeding Counsellor), Hypno- Birthing Practitioner, Progeny (www.progeny.in), who is also a member of Medela India Lactation Consultants Club to understand the nuances of breastfeeding.
Be it vaginal birth (normal delivery), caesarean or induced labour, the process of breastfeeding is the same for all. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), in case of normal delivery, the baby should be breast fed within the first half hour and in caesarean, within the first one and half hour. “Sadly there are many hospitals that keep the baby in nursery during those crucial hours and give formula milk as the first feed to the new born.”
Data shows that only 46.2 per cent mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. “I always tell expectant moms that as you prepare yourself for birthing, also prepare yourself for breastfeeding. It is one of the most crucial aspects of delivery. What’s also important is an environment conducive for breastfeeding!”
Most mothers get petrified seeing their newborns restless. They fear they are doing something wrong that the baby isn’t settling. “It is important for mothers to accept that a new born will cry, feed, pass urine, sleep and this is absolutely normal. He has just come out of his mother’s womb and is still getting used to the new surroundings. So he will cry and be restless too.”
Yet there are some warning signs that a new mother should watch out for. “Make sure that the baby isn’t passing urine less than 5 times in a day or isn’t drowsy or lethargic. Also, dry and flaky skin or high temperature could be a sign of dehydration. If this happens, rush him to the hospital.”
Most mothers mistake crying as a sign of hunger. “Your baby is not hungry every time he cries. The biggest mistake moms make is by putting them on breast every time the baby cries. It’s always good to feed on cue but it’s advisable to feed every two hours, which is approximately 8-10 times in 24 hours.” And if your baby sleeps for longer hours, pick him up and feed after at least after three hours. “Setting up a schedule always helps and that will make your life easy too.”
In India, the diet of a breastfeeding mom is heavily monitored but the approach is incorrect. “Eat whatever you would normally eat. The fragrance and taste of the food gets passed on to the baby, making the transition to normal food easier for him, since you have already made him familiar to the taste.”
We feed new mothers excess of carbohydrates. “In contrast, carbs is exactly what the mother should have in control. Her diet should be high on protein, water and milk.”
In the end, your child will test your patience and will make you want to give up on breastfeeding, but hold on to it; after all breast is best!
-Internet
