According to the myriad of sources available to mothers today there is no doubt that breast feeding is the best and safest way of feeding your baby. It provides the ONLY PERFECT food for babies, it protects them from infections and it promotes the healthy physical and mental health of your baby. Follow below as we take you through the breast feeding process, let's convince you that breast feeding is indeed a healthy start.
PROLACTIN ; MILK SECRETING HORMONE
The process by which prolactin causes the secretion of milk by the milk glands is known as;
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OXYTOCIN ; MILK EJECTING HORMONE
The process by which oxytocin causes the ejection of milk by the milk glands is known as;
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MORE SUCKLING CAUSES AN INCREASE IN BOTH
To ensure that your baby receives the benefits of breast milk, you must encourage suckling for longer periods and more often. Missing feeding times to try to "save" milk would only cause a decrease in milk production.
- PRODUCTION & EJECTION OF MILK
To ensure that your baby receives the benefits of breast milk, you must encourage suckling for longer periods and more often. Missing feeding times to try to "save" milk would only cause a decrease in milk production.
Positioning of the baby to breast feed is very important. For a new mother, positioning can be a bit difficult and poor positioning may result. To help prevent this, here are some simple steps that you can follow:
How to hold the baby:
1) The baby’s head and body should be held in a straight line
2) Baby should be placed facing the breast, nose opposite the nipple
3) Baby should be held close to mother (tummy to tummy)
4) Support baby’s entire body not just head and shoulders
How to attach Baby to breast:
1) Baby’s mouth should be wide open
2) Baby’s lower lip should be curled outwards
3) Baby’s chin should touch mother’s breast
4) The areola/dark area around the nipple should be more visible above the baby’s mouth than below
If the baby is in a poor position the following may occur:
1) The mother may feel nipple pain as the baby sucks
2) The milk is not expressed and the baby may become frustrated and fussy
3) As a result of poor positioning, the nipple skin may become cracked or sore
4) Breast may become engorged due to lack of proper milk ejection.
How to hold the baby:
1) The baby’s head and body should be held in a straight line
2) Baby should be placed facing the breast, nose opposite the nipple
3) Baby should be held close to mother (tummy to tummy)
4) Support baby’s entire body not just head and shoulders
How to attach Baby to breast:
1) Baby’s mouth should be wide open
2) Baby’s lower lip should be curled outwards
3) Baby’s chin should touch mother’s breast
4) The areola/dark area around the nipple should be more visible above the baby’s mouth than below
If the baby is in a poor position the following may occur:
1) The mother may feel nipple pain as the baby sucks
2) The milk is not expressed and the baby may become frustrated and fussy
3) As a result of poor positioning, the nipple skin may become cracked or sore
4) Breast may become engorged due to lack of proper milk ejection.
Breast feeding is extremely important. We at Baby Steps seek to provide you, as a new mother with credible, accurate information. Our hope is that this information can influence and encourage you to breastfeed your baby. It is the right choice, the only choice, to ensure the proper growth and healthy development of your precious bundle. Breast feeding is a natural and beautiful process that strengthens the bond and love between a mother and her child. It is necessary for the mental, physical and emotional well being of both you and your baby so choose to breast feed today.
BREAST FEEDING; A HEALTHY START
BREAST FEEDING; A HEALTHY START
All information shared on this website was obtained directly from the following sources:
Nurse Hunt
Mount Hope Women's Hospital
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
Helping Mothers To Breastfeed
Revised Edition
F. Savage King
Published by AMREF
Copyright 1992 African Medical and Research Foundation
Thank you to the friendly Nurses at the Mount Hope Women's Hospital who took the time to educate and demonstrate the importance of Breast Feeding. It is our sincerest hope that we have helped in distributing their knowledge to those in need.