Feeding Made Easy

WHILE it’s true that breastfeeding is an amazingly fulfilling experience for a mother, let’s face the hard truth: It’s downright tough.

- Ruth Patterson

Starting from chapped, sore nipples and aching breasts to the niggling worries of latching and expressing milk, nursing may become a struggle for you and your little one. Probably that’s the reason behind moms giving it up altogether or much before time, or, at least slacking on this baby essential. This is reflected by the fact that currently, only 39 per cent of babies worldwide are breastfed exclusively for six months. UNICEF estimates that if more mothers breastfed exclusively for six months (followed by two years of breastfeeding with complementary foods), a million lives could be saved every year.

The scenario, I am sure, will change, if mothers become more patient and take a more determined stand about breastfeeding. But this change is possible, only if the process can be made pain-free and a little less worrisome than it appears to be. From my experience as a lactation expert, I have found that the trouble blows out of proportion mostly in case of lack of guidance— proper, professional guidance. So, here is a nursing guide for new and would-be moms.

basics you ought to know

The challenges of lactating mothers are manifold but a little know-how will help you take charge of the situation.

Breast Crawl: Every newborn, when placed on the mother’s abdomen, soon after birth, has the instinctive ability to find the mother’s breast all on his own and to decide when to take the first feed. This is known as ‘breast crawl’. Encourage it. Research says, that babies who breast crawl, breastfeed for longer periods.