Breastfeeding Breastmilk Made Simple: What You Need to Know

by Bellus Family Helping New Parents Be Better Parents

Breastfeeding is something most new mothers, and yet a couple of veteran mothers, have trouble with during the first few weeks of postpartum. The problems related to breastfeeding always include either low milk supply or latching problems of the baby. Have you heard about cultural norms that see breastfeeding as something so inferior and impede it? Neither did we! But such cultural norms and traditions do exist, sadly.

Surprisingly, there are a significant amount of cultural/ traditional norms that hinder breastfeeding. Due to this, the early introduction of formula milk remains a common practice in many internal parts of developing countries. In research done about the common beliefs that discourage breastfeeding in Lebanon, it was found that mothers expressed concerns about having adequate amounts of breastmilk or the quality of their breastmilk. They also feared having inherited the inability to produce breastmilk prepartum, “bad milk“, and transmitting abdominal pain through breastmilk to the infants. These concerns were deep-rooted in a number of cultural beliefs.

Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life has been estimated to reduce under-five mortality rates by 13 percent in developing countries.

Although the research was carried out in Lebanon, the number of places these beliefs still hold is both, unclear as well as scary.

Breaking through this backward stereotype, however, many mothers have started breastfeeding their infants. As a result of which there has been massive progress in terms of a variety of breastfeeding essentials introduced lately. Besides, there are also many tips for the ease of both, the lactating mother as well as the baby during the whole feeding and latching process today.

Nonetheless, the sole decision of whether or not to breastfeed comes down to the personal choice of the new mothers. In order to make the right decision, one needs to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk for both, Mother and the newborn.

Breastmilk Benefits for Babies:

Breastfeeding is warmth, nutrition, and love all rolled into one.

The Benefits of breastmilk for babies are as follows:

Optimal Nutrition
Strong Immune System
Lower Risk for Obesity
Helps Brain Development
Reduced Risk of Allergies
Decreased Risk for SIDS
Lower Risk of Diabetes
Lower risk of Heart Disease
Breastfeeding Benefits for New Mothers:
As a breastfeeding mother, you are basically just meals on heels. – Kathy Lette
The benefits of breastfeeding are as follows:
- Burns Calories
- Breast Stimulation releases Oxytocin
- Delays Menses
- Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer
- Special Bonding with Baby
- Saves Time
- Saves Money
- Highly Convenient
  All About Breastfeeding Positions:
  The breastfeeding position is the first most important thing for a successful breastfeeding session, latching which is also known as ‘Attachment‘ being the next. It is important to know that the right position is the one in which the baby is well-positioned and attached, and the one in which you will feel much more comfortable and relaxed. Breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful at all! Hence, if you experience pain while breastfeeding, it’s important to change your breastfeeding position immediately. If you still experience pain, it’s better to consult a doctor as soon as possible for a medical check-up.
  - Cross-Cradle
  - Cradle
  - Back-Lying
  - Saddle
  - Side-Lying Cradle
  - Football
  - Choosing the right breast pump is what remains a challenge alongside being a necessity. Sonali Shivlani, an International Certified pregnancy lactation and child nutrition says:
  - If the breast pump is for occasional use, a manual pump will serve the purpose. But if the mother plans to go back to work and the baby is less than six months old, then an electric breast pump will be more convenient.
  - https://bellusfamily.com/blog/breastfeeding-what-you-need-to-know/