Introduction

August is celebrated as the national month for breastfeeding in the US, and the first week of the month (Aug 1-7) is regarded to be World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)- which is a great public health initiative that forces the general public to see how new mothers find life difficult, and the various ways in which we can actually help them overcome these difficulties. The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) works with the Congress to help in this regard. The 1990 Innocenti Celebration proclaimed that all babies need to be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of their life, and to concentrate on improving maternal health and nutrition. This would definitively translate to better nutrition for the infant too. 

This whole exercise is being done with the goal of not just bettering maternal healthcare prospects, but to also provide them with a judgement-free space for it all. Letting the mother rest and recover, giving her good quality food, and setting up a comfortable breastfeeding space in the house with all supplies can greatly help, as the mother may be feeding the baby 10-12 times a day. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? 

Sensible Parenting Tips For New Moms

• Doctors and lactation experts tell you this- skin-to-skin contact and putting the baby on your breast within the first hour of birth will help you kick-start the milk-making process. This period is dubbed the ‘golden hour’. 
• It takes time- for the mother to learn how to hold the baby in the right manner, and the baby to be able to latch onto the nipple comfortably. So, get all the help you need, in the first few days. 
• Good quality food and lots of rest will help your body make the requisite quantities of milk your baby will need. 
• You will be tired, and sleep-deprived as a new mother, and may also have surgical scars to commemorate your battle in the labour ward. All of this translates to a greater need to rest. 
• Remember this crucial fact- the placenta leaves a plate-sized wound in your uterus. This needs to heal and the hormonal rush accompanying the placental exit is no joke. This event will immediately help your body increase levels of prolactin, and increase your chances of a good milk supply later on.  
• Focus on bonding with your baby the first few weeks after birth. Chores and stuff can be taken care of by someone else. You will have to deal with chores all through your life anyway. So, prioritise your physical and mental needs for now. 
• Do NOT ignore your basic daily routine- get someone to watch the baby. Get a good massage with therapeutic oils, a hot bath for the aches and take care of yourself. The baby needs attention, but not all of it. 

Breastfeeding Advice For New Moms

Let us look at a few handy tips you may appreciate, when you decide to breastfeed your baby-

• It takes time for milk supply to come in- about 3-5 days. By the first week of your baby’s life, you should try to establish a feeding routine. The milk supply will come in soon, so don’t worry!
• Try to feed them every few hours. The more often they feed, the more your body will make. 
• Your breast milk comes in different stages- the yellowish colostrum initially. Then, it switches to a watery, white milky substance. You will also feel your breasts get harder in the next few days. 
• Your baby will latch on to your breast, and this greatly depends on the baby’s maturity, the shape of your breast and the position they are most comfortable in. So, switch around and see what works for the both of you.
• Watery foremilk forms the majority of the feed, and the fatty, thicker hind milk shows up only towards the end of the feeding session. So, encourage your baby to feed till the very end, till your breast feels soft. Don’t time them. 
• A complete feed will ensure that your baby gains weight appropriately. 
• You can also choose to pump for your baby, if you think that may be convenient. Just make sure you pump often and keep the pump clean after each use. 
• Remember to create a comfortable spot in the house- with pillows, blankets, diapers, wet wipes and other supplies, as you will spend a lot of time breastfeeding your baby.
• Let the baby sleep with you, so that your supply is maintained at a constant amount, and try to breastfeed on demand. 

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is no easy feat, and it needs to be celebrated. The very fact that a mother is able to give birth to a whole little human being and then make complete food needed by the baby- that is a miracle in itself! So, it is time we get rid of any ignorance or judgement associated with the act, and to be nice to yourself. Mothers are often the harshest self-critics- they are always wondering if they are making enough, if their baby is crying too much, if they should focus on their own mental health, if their feelings of inadequacy or helplessness or excessive anxiety will go away etc. This is a lot to process for anyone. So, let us try to make their lives a little easy- by helping them in any way we can. It is time we remember this tip- breastfeeding saves lives! Literally! 

FAQs