Your body prepares for milk production
throughout pregnancy. By 16 weeks your breasts produce colostrum,
which is a thin watery milk rich in vitamins and antibodies. This is
what will help to build your babies immune system in the first few
days of life. When your baby is born the amount of pregnancy
hormones in your body decreases and your breasts begin milk
production. This happens on around day three and your breasts may
feel very full, you may also feel a bit down at this time.
For milk production to continue your baby
needs to suckle. Suckling causes the brain to release 2 hormones:-
prolactin (which stimulates milk production) and oxytocin (which
causes milk to move towards the nipple ready for feeding).
Breast milk changes throughout each feed and
as your baby gets older, and is always "perfect" for your babies
needs.
The FORE Milk which your baby drinks first,
is a thirst quenching drink. Baby doesn't need any other drinks not
even in hot weather as long as you feed her every time she asks.
The HIND Milk is the food part of the feed,
rich in everything your baby needs.
Why breastfeed?
Breast milk gives your baby exactly the right
amount and type of food.
It contains antibodies which protect your
baby against infections.
It is easily digested. Breastfed babies don't
become constipated and don't smell as bad!
Breast fed babies are less likely to develop
allergies such as eczema, asthma and hay fever.
Breast feeding helps you get your shape back
sooner, and your womb to contract more quickly.
Breast feeding is thought to protect against
some forms of breast cancer.
It enables you and your baby to get to know
each other, your baby will thrive on this special contact.
Breast feeding is FREE, needs NO preparation,
is always available and at exactly the right temperature (very
important at 3am)!
Babies LOVE it.
Getting started...
Breast feeding is a skill. Both you and your
baby will have to learn how to do it. You should both be experts
within a couple of weeks. So don't worry if it doesn't go to plan at
first.
Your midwife is there to help you, and
support from friends and family will be very useful.
Make sure you eat well and get as much rest
as possible. Most importantly try to relax, it will take time for
you and your baby to get into a routine.
What about Dads?
Breast feeding does not mean that dad can't
help. In fact his support is very important. There are many other
ways dad can get to know baby, such as bath time, cuddles and nappy
changing.
What about feeding in public?
At first you might find breast feeding in
front of others awkward. If you do don't be embarrassed to ask if
there is somewhere private you can feed your baby. You will find as
you become more confident, you will be quite happy to feed in public
as you can do it very discreetly.
The National Childbirth Trust are in the
process of compiling a list of breast feeding friendly premises, and
I am hoping to produce on this site a list of such premises in
Warwickshire.
Going back to work?
You can still breast feed your baby. Breast
milk can be expressed and kept in the fridge for 24 hours or frozen.
ASK your midwife or health visitor for advice.
Problems
Sore or cracked nipples - are caused
by the baby being positioned incorrectly. The baby needs to get a
mouthful of breast tissue not just the nipple to stop them getting
sore. Your midwife will be able to advise you.
If nipples do get sore:-
Keep them dry and expose them to the air as
much as possible.
Avoid soap.
Change your breast pads regularly and use
ones without plastic.
Wear a cotton bra.
Engorged Breasts - when you first
begin to produce milk your breasts may feel very full and swollen.
The solution is to breastfeed as much as possible, possibly to
express milk between feeds and wear a supportive bra.
Lumpy, tender breasts - Often caused
by blocked milk ducts, there are a number of things you can do to
help:-
Feed your baby on the tender breast first, or
express from that breast.
Gently massage the lumpy area with your
fingertips, smoothing the milk towards the nipple.
It is important to deal with a blocked duct
as soon as possible to ensure it doesn't lead to mastitis.
Mastitis - If you have mastitis your
breasts will feel hot and tender and you may feel as if you have
flu. If this occurs continue to breastfeed, but seek the advice of
your midwife, health visitor or GP.
Support
Support can always be obtained from your
midwife. The following organisations, can offer excellent advice and
professional breastfeeding counsellors.
