Breastfeeding
Why would you want to breastfeed your baby?
Breast milk is the healthier option for your baby. Multiple respected studies have shown that breastfeeding will provide your baby with significant health benefits during those crucial first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
- Breast milk is the best possible “brain food” for babies, as it contains high amounts of DHA and AA (long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) vital for brain development, visual acuity and intelligence.
- Breast milk is a live substance containing hundreds of immune-modulating factors. Immunoglobulins in the milk prevent harmful bacteria and allergens from passing through to the baby.
- Formula-fed babies are 16 times more likely than breastfed babies to require hospitalisation for pneumonia and respiratory infections in the first year of life.
- Breastfeeding significantly reduces the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) because the brain develops better on breastmilk.
- Breast milk is the perfect gentle food, designed for your new baby’s tummy.
- Breastfed babies cry less often.
- Breast milk is far cheaper than formula milk.
- Breast milk is always available in emergency situations.
- Breast milk promotes bonding between mother and baby at a vital stage after birth.
- Childhood cancers are reduced by 19% if a baby receives breastmilk for the first six months of life.
- Breast milk contains stem cells – these unique multipotent cells have the ability of self –repairing each body system.
- Breast milk is a highly intelligent coded substance. It is dynamic and changes daily for the infant’s needs.
- It is essential for the developing human body that all infants grow and develop from breast milk.
Help! I have engorged breasts!
In the first days after birth, as your body gears up to produce enough milk, your breasts can become swollen. If unrelieved, this may lead to a blocked milk duct. Frequent breastfeeding or manual expression will help to relieve the discomfort and there are easy techniques available to latch your baby comfortably.
My baby is feeding too frequently
Rest assured, this too is often very normal. Babies require small, frequent feeds as they grow and develop. If your baby is gaining weight, there is likely nothing to worry about. As a registered midwife and Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Judy can advise you on whether this is the case.
My baby falls asleep while at the breast
This is often perfectly normal in the first few days of life. Judy is an advocate of skin on skin i.e. a naked baby in a nappy against his mother’s naked chest. Breast compressions and breast squeezing can also greatly assist with this problem. Your baby will naturally respond by sucking and swallowing.
How do I know if my baby has a tongue-tie?
In up to one in ten babies, the strip of skin that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth (frenulum) is shorter than usual. This is known as a tongue-tie and can make it harder for your baby to breastfeed. Judy can spot whether this is the case and can advise on how to proceed.
My baby is gulping at the breast – what do I do?
Every baby is different. Some mothers produce more milk than their baby needs. Let’s possibly look at your baby’s latch. Fortunately, there are techniques to help with this. Chat to Judy for details.