Queries of all New Mommies.

      The 4th month had hardly passed & my relatives were continuously buzzing around to start the top feed for Kartavya,

• "You should start cow's milk, he would not be feeling full with your milk"
• "Goat milk contains more nutrition & is easy to digest"
• "Start dal-pani as it is rich in proteins"

I was no different from other new mommies for getting such advice, but me being a Doctor Mommy very well knew how important breast milk is for my baby.

      Relatives concern were also for my good, As I had seen patients suffering from cracked nipples, baby bite, breast engorgement & breast abscess even, So first thing came to my mind was:

Rather than curing them, Preventing myself from getting them would be a better option.

       So from the very beginning of my pregnancy, I started preparing my mind as well as my body for this beautiful journey of breastfeeding.

From the 3rd month of my pregnancy started reading articles on breastfeeding & started applying them.

1. Many physiological changes other than the increase in breast size occur, out of which one is thick crust over nipples, which later on turns to be very painful on the first latch of the baby.

Solution: Start observing your breast & nipples during pregnancy for such crust, clean it thoroughly with warm water & try to remove the crust. Your nipples & areola should always be soft and smooth.

2. Sore nipples & Cracked nipples.

Solution: Our body itself gives the treatment tool, our breast milk is the medicine which can be utilized as a local applicant for sore nipples,
It can even be utilized as a local applicant for baby's skin rashes.
You can even use the medication if it's severe.

3.Baby bite.

Solution: Be firm to your baby, Make them understand that it hurts.
Kartavya used to bite me and seeing me making a sound he used to feel that it's a type of game to which mumma is enjoying. So then I showed him how it feels if someone bites via biting him( intensity was mild) but please try to make them understand.
It took me a month but now it's a relief.

4. Breast Engorgement & Abscess.

Solution: It's not only their need but our body too needs to get rid of the continuous flow and what's better than soothing your little one with nourishing liquid.
Fix 2-hour feeding schedule for the first 3 months and later altering this frequency as per his demand, this helped me a lot in keeping a check over such issues.

5. Why baby need to burp after every feed?

Answer: Burping is the skill which all new parents need to master, Yes I am using word Parents because both Mom & Dad should learn to burp your baby.
While taking breastfeed, along with milk baby tend to gulp air along, this gas gets trapped in the gastrointestinal system & needs to be released.
Burping is one way, parents can help their baby get rid of that gas & thereby prevent them from the feeling of fullness & discomfort.

6. Difficulties faced by baby to latch nipples.

Solution: Shape & size of nipples also plays a very important role in breastfeeding.

From 7th month itself start giving shape to your nipples, by pulling it lightly while bathing, massage your breast with soft hands in round clockwise & anti-clockwise direction reaching towards nipples & then accordingly try to give shape to nipples.  This would ease the process of breastfeeding especially for baby.

Even after the followed steps if the issue is not resolved than Nipple shield is always the savior.

7. Baby refuses to take breast milk.

As your breast are full with milk, on baby's first latch there is a sudden gush of milk, due to which baby feels choked & even vomits out the milk.

Solutions:

 * Press your breast with hands or via using the breast pump to remove the gush & than make baby suckle.
* Try different positions for breastfeeding, especially Baby on top i.e Baby lying on your chest & make it suckle.

* Let baby take the first latch, now unlatch the baby, get the gush out & then again get back to your baby for a peaceful feed.

* If the reason is unknown than go ahead with a breast pump, Pump out your milk & feed your baby.

*Top feed should always be the last option.

8. Why take so much pain of breastfeeding every 2- 3 hourly for 6 long months?

Answer: *Nature provides the BEST.
*Even on Formula feed box its written: "MOTHERS MILK IS THE BEST FOR BABY."
*Benefits of Breast milk is proved scientifically.
*Breast milk provides the ideal amount of nutrients for baby, it has nearly perfect mixture of all proteins, vitamins & fat.
* It is always at right temperature & easily digestible.
* It is always available, Demand arises & supply is ready.
* Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight against bacteria & viruses.
* Breast feeding is even related to HIGHER IQ score in later childhood in some studies.
*Physical closeness with your baby, Those SKIN-TO-SKIN touching & EYE CONTACT, Everything helps to develop the bond with your baby.

9.Benefits of Breast Feeding for Mommies?

Answer:

* Yes New Mommies, 6 months exclusive breastfeeding is not only their but our need too.

* Breastfeeding develops mother-child bonding, You become the most important person for your baby.

* Breastfeeding is Time friendly & pocket-friendly too;

As there is No wastage of time in measuring formula, sterilizing feeding bottles & utensils

* Breastfeeding releases happy hormones which bring the glow to our face & early uterine retraction leading to early recovery after delivery.
* Breast feeding even lowers the risk of breast & ovarian cancer
* Best benefit is that you can relax while feeding your baby & like me can even take a quick short nap too.

10. Mother unable to produce milk.

Solution:
 * Make baby suckle though there is no supply, it may take time but gradually you start lactating as ultimately you are at no loss; because it develops a sense of security in the baby.
* Mothers diet too helps a lot in the lactation process.
* Stress-free living means stress-free lactating, as ultimately its a game of hormones, Stress hampers your lactation so please have a checklist.
* All mommies are different, many a time even after taking great care, Mothers don't lactate, then you can take medicinal aid.
* Still NO LACTATION, than accept the fact & forget about the society.
You are no less than a SUPER-MOM,
Lactation is not the only deciding factor for your capability of growing a newborn.
Contact Pediatrician & Go- ahead with Top-Feed.

Kept all these points in mind, and completed my journey of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding.

I & Kartavya used to enjoy every breastfeeding session as it even included our fun games, tease, his different funny posture while feeding etc.

So new mommies, don't hesitate and go ahead on the beautiful & extraordinary 6 months E.B.F (EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING)  journey.

As Breast-feeding is the Best-feeding.