Breastfeeding is essential for a child’s development. Breast milk is the most complete food that meets all the needs of a baby up to six months.
Many mothers have doubts about the correct way to breastfeed their child, to clarify this issue, Hospital Dr. Cândido Junqueira prepared 9 steps for proper breastfeeding, let’s go to them:
Perhaps you are interested in: nursing pillow cover
1) The more your baby suckles, the more milk you’ll have
Sucking at the breast is what stimulates milk production. Starting to breastfeed from the delivery room facilitates a faster let-down of milk. Try to keep the baby by your side, from birth to discharge. The child who suckles at the breast several times, day and night, according to his will, needs nothing else.
2) Put the baby in the right position to suck
For the baby to suck well, he must not only bite the nipple (nipple of the breast), but a large part of the areola (dark part of the breast), with the body totally turned to the breast. of the mother (belly to belly). When the child takes the breast correctly, with the mouth wide open, the milk comes out in sufficient quantity, the baby swallows calmly, the mother will not feel pain, nor will there be a crack in the breast.
3) Take proper care of the breasts
To avoid cracks, do not wash the nipples before and after feedings. A daily bath is enough, avoiding the use of soap on the nipples. The milk itself protects the skin, preventing infections. Do not use ointments or creams on nipples unless directed by a physician.
4) Remove milk when necessary
Avoid breasts becoming too full and heavy. If this happens, boil a glass jar with a plastic lid for 10 minutes, tie your hair, wash your hands well, put your fingers where the areola ends and squeeze several times until the milk comes out. Store the milk in a glass bottle, in the refrigerator (12 hours) or freezer/freezer (15 days). To heat the milk, use a water bath. When the mother is not at home, give breast milk in a cup or spoon so as not to harm breastfeeding.
5) Avoid beaks, pacifiers, pacifiers and bottles
These products harm breastfeeding. Babies who use bottles and pacifiers end up dropping the breast.
6) Seek support
Seek to talk to those who are going through the same experience as you. Involve your family in household chores so you can rest.
7) Breastfeeding is an act of love
Children who are breastfed have less diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and ear infections. Sucking the chest is an excellent exercise for facial development, important for beautiful teeth, speech development, and even breathing. Breastfeeding is also good for the mother’s health: she loses less blood after giving birth and has a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding is a way to give health, affection and protection to the baby. Breastfeeding is a special form of communication between mother and baby. By being breastfed, the child learns very early to communicate with intimacy, affection and trust, which can contribute to their mental health in the future.
8) Continue breastfeeding, if possible, until age 2 years or older
It is recommended that every baby be breastfed exclusively on the mother’s breast for up to six months of life. Then introduce fruit and food and continue breastfeeding until age two.
9) Know the rights of the working mother
The mother who works outside is entitled to maternity leave of 120 days. When returning to work, two half-hour paid breaks a day to breastfeed your child, up to six months. Fathers are entitled to paternity leave of five days from the birth of the baby.