Making the decision to breastfeed is a personal matter. It’s also one that’s likely to draw strong opinions from friends and family.
Breast milk is best for your baby, and the benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition. In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life, breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from illness.
That’s one reason Many medical authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, strongly recommend breastfeeding. But you and your baby are unique, and the decision is up to you. This overview of breastfeeding can help you decide.
What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your Baby?
Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat — everything your baby needs to grow. And it’s all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria and antibodies to help your baby’s body and brain develop.
Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies. What’s more, the physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure.
Breastfeeding Benefits for the Mother?
Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. Mothers who breastfeed recover from childbirth more quickly and easily. The hormone oxytocin, released during breastfeeding, acts to return the uterus to its regular size more quickly and can reduce postpartum bleeding. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
What’s the Best Position for Breastfeeding?
Few moms think breastfeeding will come naturally — and they get put to the test in those first days and weeks. “It’s supposed to be the most beautiful time in your life, yet you’re full of insecurities, not knowing if you’re doing it right. But relax I will discuss best position for breastfeeding.
The best position for you is the one where you and your baby are both comfortable and relaxed, and you don’t have to strain to hold the position or keep nursing.
Side-lying hold: To feed on the left breast, lie on your left side with your back supported. Lay baby on his side facing you, his chest against yours. Your right arm will support his body, and your right hand will support his head, bringing him toward your breast. Some mothers are more comfortable with the baby.
Cradle hold: This classic breastfeeding position requires you to the baby lies on his side, tummy against mom’s tummy, supported by her left arm while he nurses on the left breast. The mother may put her right hand under baby’s bottom, or use it to support or adjust her breast. Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests or on a bed with lots of pillows. Rest your feet on a stool, coffee table, or other raised surface to avoid leaning down toward your baby.
Laid-back breastfeeding: “Many moms and babies love the laid-back breastfeeding position because it’s so natural for baby and relaxing for mom,” says Stephanie Nguyen. It also called “biological nurturing,” this involves having the mother find a comfortable, well-supported, semi-reclining position, and putting her new baby tummy down on her belly or chest in a vertical position.
Football hold: Hold baby at your side face up and lengthwise, supported by pillows. If nursing on your right side, use your right arm to support baby at your side, and guide her head to your breast.
Cross-cradle hold: This is the one most moms prefer because baby is draped across your body and you can easily see what he’s doing when latching. It’s also the easiest nursing-in-public position. It’s uncomfortable to keep using this position as the baby gets bigger. In this position, the mother feeding her baby on the left breast would use her left hand to support her breast, and her right arm and hand to support the baby.
Know about ABC of Breastfeeding?
- A = Awareness. Watch for your baby’s signs of hunger, and breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry. This is called “on demand” feeding. The first few weeks, you may be nursing eight to 12 times every 24 hours. Don’t wait for your baby to cry. That’s a sign he’s too hungry.
- B = Be patient. Breastfeed as long as your baby wants to nurse each time. Don’t hurry your infant through feedings. Infants typically breastfeed for 10 to 20 minutes on each breast.
- C = Comfort. This is key. Relax while breastfeeding, and your milk is more likely to “let down” and flow. Get yourself comfortable with pillows as needed to support your arms, head, and neck, and a footrest to support your feet and legs before you begin to breastfeed.
Use of this site and the information contained here in does not create a doctor-patient relationship. We don’t know about your health position. So Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
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