Breastfeeding Guidelines:
No one has ever studied breastfeeding thoroughly in a society. Even normal feeding requires a technique that has to be learned, especially with the first baby. If a women has a problem with breastfeeding, as commonly happens, she has no inborn knowledge of what to do? She must be taught what to do if her baby refuses to suck, if her nipple hurts, or if her milk supply seems to be diminishing.
In a traditional society, older woman give younger ones confidence by helping them through their earlier experience.
• The mother should offer the baby her whole breast, not just the nipple.
• The baby should take the whole nipple and much of the areola into his mouth. (the dark area encircling the nipple)
• How much milk a breast produces depends on how much the baby sucks.


Tips for nursing mother.

 The infant should be allowed to suck the breast within an hour of a delivery.
 Frequent sucking is necessary to establish lactation.
 For first few days after delivery, the breast secrets colostrums (Yellow fluid).
It contains antibodies, growth factors and has laxative effect.
 Breast milk is clean and free of bacteria.
 It contains all nutrients that baby needs for first 4 to 6months.
 Baby does not need extra water.
 The mother should hold the baby close to her body. If baby is not close enough, it may have to suck too hard on nipple and can damage the nipple skin.
 Sucking makes mother’s uterus to contract and it helps to stop uterine bleeding.
 Do not wash nipple with soap, it can damage the skin.
 Let the baby suck until it releases the breast spontaneously.
 If the breast are full (engorged), express the excess milk.
 Mother should feed infant regularly from both the breast.
 Cancer of the breast and ovary is less likely in women who breastfeed compared to those who do not.
 The common problems that new mother may have are:
o Sore nipple.
o Engorged breast.
o Not enough milk.
o Too much milk.
o Leaking breast.
o Flat nipple.
o Inverted nipple.
 If the nipple looks red and sore, she should consult doctor immediately.


Tips for working mother

If you are planning to return to work, you can still nurse your baby either by expressing breast milk or by supplementing with complementary feed.
 If you prefer that your baby be totally breastfed,
o You can express your milk by hand or hand pump. You have to express several times a day to keep up the supply of stored milk ,stimulate milk production and to avoid engorgement.
o Covered, sterile expressed milk can be stored in refrigerator for 1 -2 days.
 If you decide to supplement with infant formula,
o Consult your doctor.
o Do not give whole cow’s milk.
o Follow manufacturer’s instruction properly for preparing formula feed (Not to over dilute or under dilute).

By
Dr. Manoj D. Chohan.
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.
Gokul Maternity & Surgical Nursing Home.
D 3/2, Vijay Nagar.
Marol Maroshi Road, Andheri (East).
Mumbai 400059.