Breast milk is the best food for a baby for its immunity system, mental and physical growth. In addition, breastfeeding helps improve the relationship between the mother and baby. So, it is much essential that mothers follow the right ways to breastfeed their children.

Breastfeeding guidelines:

Comfortable positioning:

If the mother feels comfortable sitting while breastfeeding, it accelerates proper flow of breast milk. Recommended positioning may include sitting on a sofa, cushion, easy chair or leaning on walls or pillow. However, the back should be straight and the shoulder should not be kept lifted.

Proper guideline to breastfeeding while sitting:

The mother should place a pillow behind her back before starting to breastfeed her child. She should make sure that her waist does not curve. It is also good to place a pillow beneath the shoulder, so it does not remain hanging. Any decline in milk flow may lead to freezing of breast milk.

Hugging the baby very closely during breastfeeding:

Make sure your baby stares at you while breastfeeding and its shoulders do not get thrust. The baby needs to be in a position that its entire body is in close enough touch with your body, and its mouth faces your nipples, and the head amid the fold of your hand. The baby needs to feel safe.

Follow-up of sequence:

You should make sure you use both the right and left breasts for breastfeeding instead of avoiding the use of any specific one. If you avoid one, milk production and flow for that breast will decline. If you have used one this time and your baby has its fill, you should use the other one next time you breastfeed. Remember that your baby will stop sucking as its hunger is satisfied.

Clothing for the mother:

A mother’s clothing should include items that are loose and lightweight enough to give comfort to the mother during breastfeeding. Ideal clothing items may include night gown, shirts with buttons, cotton guernseys, nursing brassier or anything that has opening on the front part and does not trigger heavy sweat.

Breastfeeding for working mothers:

Women who are employees should use breast pumps so that they can collect breast milk for feeding their babies at a later time, especially when they are away. The accumulated milk can be stored in a feeder and preserved in a refrigerator as the mil remains good enough for 6-8 hours, but it remains pure for 24 hours if kept in a refrigerator.

Drinking plenty of water:

In order to avoid dehydration which is common in breastfeeding mothers, they should drink at least 3 liters of water as well as drink milk and eat foods with a lot of soup.

Look after your baby instead of hitting the clock:

Many mothers believe that their babies could grow up with proper discipline and sense of timing if they breastfeed them by the clock. Do not do this. Rather, pay attention to what your baby needs. Things will be good for your baby with time.

Having patience:

Do not insist your baby if it refuses to be breastfed. Take time and do whatever is required to breastfeed him/her comfortably. Do not allow milk to be frozen inside the breast and make it harder. Gently squeeze breasts and start feeding as it gets softer. You can have your breasts fomented with a piece of cloth soaked in warm or cold water.

Proper sleep and balanced diet:

You need not eat a lot. Eat healthy foods, just how much you need. You should eat vegetables, fruits, fishes (not sea fishes) and fatty foods which are good for health. If your baby tends to breast milk a lot, you can eat a slice of bread with peanut butter and an apple or banana to meet the need of extra calorie.

Conclusion:

You may not breastfeed properly form the beginning, but you need to be patient and have belief in yourself. Thus, you can enjoy your motherhood completely through breastfeeding.

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