Awesome Anatomy

About breastfeeding

The following information about the advantages, disadvantages and alternatives to breastfeeding will help you make up your mind if you haven't decided whether to try it or not.

After the birth, the suckling baby stimulates the release of hormones called prolactin and oxytocin into your bloodstream. Prolactin causes milk to be produced, and oxytocin causes the breasts to secrete the milk ("let-down").

You can breastfeed whatever the size and shape of your breasts and nipples. If you have flat or inverted nipples, nipple massage or breast shells, which help draw out the nipples, can help. Breast size depends on fatty tissue, which is not involved in milk production, so the size of your breasts doesn't make any difference to your ability to breastfeed. Your midwife or health visitor can help you find suitable positions to breastfeed if you have large breasts.



When to start breastfeeding

It's best to have close contact with your baby early on after delivery, with your baby put to your breast as soon as you would like. The baby will naturally root for the nipple and start to suckle when ready. In the first few days, your breasts produce colostrum, a watery yellow fluid that's rich in antibodies, which help to protect the baby against illness.

How to breastfeed

Find a comfortable position where your arms and back and the baby's head are supported. It's important that the baby latches on to your breast correctly and doesn't just take your nipple in his or her mouth, because this can result in sore nipples. Your midwife or health visitor can explain how to check your baby is feeding the right way.


How long does a feed last?

Each baby is different, but as a rough guide each feed may be 10 to 20 minutes per breast or longer.

The quality of milk changes throughout the feed - the first milk (foremilk) quenches thirst and is lower in fat; the next portion (hindmilk) provides more fat and meets the baby's energy needs. It is best to offer the other breast after the baby has finished with the first. Start on alternate breasts from one feed to the next.


How often to feed

Newborn babies need to feed every two to three hours, so there may be 8 to 12 feeds in a 24-hour period.

There are conflicting schools of thought on whether you should introduce a routine to the feeds or feed on demand. You need to find what suits you and your baby best. At first, it's thought best to feed on demand and not limit the baby's time at the breast because this can reduce your milk supply.

How long to continue breastfeeding

Breast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months. After this you can gradually begin to introduce solid food. But you can supplement solid food with breast milk for as long as you want to. When you stop breastfeeding is a personal decision.

However, breastfeeding for any length of time will benefit your baby, so don't worry if you stop producing milk earlier than six months. Stress and fatigue can decrease the amount of milk you produce, although many women find that relaxation can increase the milk supply.


Deciding to breastfeed

Advantages

Benefits for your baby's health include:

• good nutrition - breast milk is the best source of nutrition, containing everything your growing baby needs, and is also easy for your baby to digest
• fewer infections - breast milk contains antibodies that help protect your baby against infections such as ear infections, stomach upsets and pneumonia
• reduced risk of eczema
• reduced risk of asthma
• reduced risk of cot death
• less chance of the baby becoming obese as a child
• some studies have suggested that there might be a link between breastfeeding and IQ (intelligence quotient), but this isn't conclusive and more research is needed

Benefits for your health include:

• less bleeding after the birth - your womb shrinks back to its normal size more quickly
• weight loss - breastfeeding uses up to 500 calories per day, depending on how much your baby is feeding
• reduced risk of breast cancer
• reduced risk of ovarian cancer

Practical advantages of breastfeeding for you and your baby:

• breast milk is the right temperature for the baby
there is no need to worry about cleaning and sterilising bottles and teats
• it's convenient - you can feed your baby anywhere as soon as he or she is hungry
• it's cheap - the only cost is your food and drink
• it helps you form a close bond with your baby and can be a rewarding, relaxing experience for you
• breastfeeding can be up to 98 percent effective as a contraceptive, but only if the baby is under six months, you are fully breastfeeding (with the baby not eating or drinking anything else) and you haven't had a period

Disadvantages

Breastfeeding relies on you to do all the feeding. This makes it difficult to have a break, and some fathers may feel excluded. You can extract (express) breast milk so that your partner can do some feeds from a bottle, or so that you can get a babysitter to do a feed while you go out.

Pain is not a regular part of breastfeeding, but there can be some discomfort to begin with. Your breasts may become engorged at times and your nipples may become sore. Your breasts may leak milk. There are ways to relieve these problems, such as warm baths, massage, nipple creams or shields and breast pads. But some women find these problems make them feel less attractive, which can affect the desire to have sex.

You may feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public, although it's becoming more acceptable to do so. Often there are mother and baby rooms where you can feed undisturbed.

Health problems

Certain medical problems can make breastfeeding risky for you or your baby. For example, if you have an infection like hepatitis B or HIV there is a very small possibility that you can pass this on to the baby through breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding may be too much of a strain on your body if you have a serious heart or kidney problem. Talk to your GP or health visitor if you think you may have a problem that could affect your decision to breastfeed.

What are the alternatives?

Breastfeeding is not the only option for feeding your baby. You can bottle feed your baby with infant formula, which is designed to be as close to breast milk as possible. It comes as a powder that you make up with boiled water. Cow's milk isn't suitable for newborn babies and shouldn't be used.

Is breastfeeding painful?

Pain should not be part of well-established breastfeeding. It's normal for your nipples to be tender for the first two to four days of breastfeeding but pain, cracking, bleeding or blistering after this means you need to make some adjustment. Sore nipples may be caused by incorrect feeding position.

When the milk first comes in, around three to five days after your baby is born, your breasts may become engorged and tender. This will improve as your breasts get used to making the right amount of milk. Sometimes you can get a blocked milk duct and feel a tender lump in your breast. The treatment is usually warm baths, massage and frequent breastfeeding. Occasionally, an infection (mastitis) develops. Speak to your health visitor or GP if your nipples or breasts are sore.


Your diet while you are breastfeeding

Good nutrition is important for the quality of the milk and for your health. You need to eat well and regularly, and drink plenty. Choose a good variety of foods from the four food groups (wholegrain starchy foods, protein, fruit and vegetables and dairy).

Alcohol

Some alcohol is passed on to the baby through your breast milk, although much less than you drink. The effect it has on the baby depends how much you drink. If you drink large amounts, it can make the baby drowsy or weak, and result in growth problems. It could also affect the amount of milk you produce. If you do want to drink alcohol, it's best to do so occasionally and not in large amounts.

Smoking

Some nicotine is passed on to babies in breast milk. It's best not to smoke. Babies whose parents smoke are also more likely to suffer from asthma and other lung diseases.

Medicines

Some medicines can be passed to babies while breastfeeding. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist which medicines you can safely take while you are breastfeeding.