Breastfeeding – taking time to make it right
Breastfeeding can be a special bonding experience shared by mother and baby, but like any new skill it can take time to master.
The new Queensland Health breastfeeding campaign, 12+ months on the breast, aims to help mums prevent or overcome many of the barriers to successful breastfeeding and support them to feed for longer.
The most common problems mothers face are attachment and latching difficulties, perceived low milk supply, engorged breasts, sore cracked nipples and mastitis.
Worrying about how much milk their baby is receiving is a common concern as many women find it hard to gauge exactly how much milk is being provided. Good signs are an alert and happy baby, at least 6 heavily wet nappies a day, feeding 6-12 times a day and appropriate growth for baby’s age.
While it is very rare for a woman to be unable to produce enough, milk supply can be boosted by increasing the frequency of feeds. Eating a range of healthy foods, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest will also contribute to increasing supply while supplementary feeding with formula will reduce it.
Swollen, tender, uncomfortable and full breasts are a natural symptom for women in the days following birth and should subside within a few days. Ways to alleviate the discomfort include wearing a supportive, well-fitted bra, breastfeeding often and applying cold packs to breasts after each feed.
Another common problem is sore or cracked nipples, usually a result of the baby not attaching properly. To assist with position, latching and detachment, detailed information and illustrations are featured in the campaign guide.
Smearing expressed breast milk onto nipples after feeding, wearing breathable natural fabrics and regularly changing breast pads will help the nipples to heal, however it is important to seek help from a health professional if this problem persists.
Mastitis can be caused when blocked milk ducts in the breast become inflamed or infected and also needs immediate attention by a doctor. To help treat mastitis, continue to breastfeed often or express, massage any lumpy areas while breastfeeding and apply heat packs to the breasts before feeds.
To avoid mastitis, good attachment in addition to getting plenty of rest and eating a variety of healthy foods is vital. The more run down, stressed and exhausted you are, the more vulnerable you are to an infection.
To ensure a happy and comfortable feed for both mother and baby, how baby is positioned and attached to the breast is important. While there is no correct position to breastfeed, it needs to be comfortable and pain free so mum and bub can both relax and enjoy the experience.
Breastfeeding for as long as possible gives babies the best possible start in life. With the correct advice, support and a little time, breastfeeding can become an easy and enjoyable activity.
You can get a breastfeeding guide through Queensland antenatal clinics or online at the below website. You can also call the Australian Breastfeeding Association Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686), or 1800 686 2 68 to VoIP phones for advice and support day or night.
Breastfeeding burns calories, it also shrinks the uterus and there is some evidence if you don’t breastfeed your uterus will always remain slightly enlarged.
However as usual diet and exercise have more to do with weightloss than anything else.