Successful Breastfeeding

This is helpful tips, good advice and a few essential items to help you prepare for your baby's arrival. My main purposes is : To help mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education, and to promote a better understanding, of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and the mother @http://www.gummimummy.blogspot.com .

(Most of information regarding breastfeeding I've shared here extracted from antenatal class I've attended~ AN-NUR SPECIALIST HOSPITAL BANDAR BARU BANGI ~one of baby- friendly hospital)

During pregnancy, What you may need:

• Maternity bras- 3 support bras (best to get measured every 6 to 8 weeks)
• Sleeps bras x2 & nursing bras x2 for late pregnancy
• Body lotion or mom-to-be massage cream
• Pregnancy pillow- to help you get comfortable to go to sleep 
• Maternity wear- for a wide range of fashionable items
• Pregnancy jeans or pants- with adjustable and comfortable waistbands and fastenings
• Lingerie tops and briefs- with stock colours and styles to suit all tastes
• Nightwear- you can still be stylish and comfortable at night and accommodate your changing shape
• Support tights- great help for aching legs
• Bra pads- may be required during later pregnancy
• Buy a good pregnancy guide book- ask friends for recommendations and check out mumsnet.com.

What you'll need for your labour and hospital bag:

• Hospital notes
• Birth plan
• 2 nightshirts and/or nursing pyjamas for after the birth
• Slippers and dressing gown
• Nursing (or support) bras and bra pads
• Nipple cream (just for in case)
• Dark coloured towel
• Comfortable briefs
• Extra absorbents maternity sanitary towels
• Disposable briefs for just after the birth
• Wash bag and lip balm
• Eye mask and earplugs (may help you to sleep on the ward)
• Camera
• Mobile phone (check where you can use it in hospital)

What baby'll need after birth:

• Wrap over vests to stop umbilical cord rubbing
• Scratch mitts
• Sleep suits
• Newborn nappies
• Clothes for baby long sleeve and short sleeve
• Infant car seat- make sure it fits your car (you'll need later when leaving hospital) 

INSPIRED LETTER ~ A LETTER TO MUMMY

Dear mummy,

Thank you for bringing me into this world. I am content and happy every time I hear your voice, feel your warmth, comfort and protection. Please let me stay with you all the time so that you can breastfeed me on demand. Please don't wait until I cry because I'll be very fussy baby by then.

Your colostrum is all I need. You can provide me warmth, security, food and drink. I do not need any pacifiers, bottles or water. There is no need for topping up or supplementing with formula milk. The more you breast-feed me, the more milk you will have, mummy.

Please be patient with me as I learn how to feed. I will try to be patient too (I know I can be pain sometimes). I am sorry for stressing you out! I really don't mean it. It may take a while for breastfeeding to get established. It will give me the best start in this big wide world! If you find feeding uncomfortable or challenging, please ask the nurse or lactation counselor for help to get me latched on properly. Please do not watch the clock to see whether it is time for my next feed or to see how long I feed.

As you continue to breastfeed, I will get protection against infections, heart disease, diabetes, eczema and asthma. It will help my jaw and brain develop. I really want to grow up to be strong, intelligent and healthy.

I want you to know that I appreciate all that you have done. Your breast milk is always the BEST milk for me. I love your precious 'golden drops'!. But most of all I love you Mummy! Hug and kisses.

WHY SHOULD YOU BREASTFEED?

~Breastmilk is physiologically produced fluid naturally intended for the human baby. Health authorities agree that breastmilk offers superior infant nutrition. Scientist continuously discovering new properties of breastmilk. Therefore, it is arrogant companies producing infant formula to describe their products as being 'close to breastmilk', when breastmilk is a living substance about which we still have a lot to learn. The truth is, no matter how much these milk powder companies spend on their 'research and development' their products are no where near breastmilk (how can cow's milk be likened to human milk?!) - it takes simple logic to figure that one out!.

BREASTMILK vs FORMULA MILK

Breastmilk contains antibodies and immunities, which are passed from you to your baby to help fight infections. In addition to its immunity-enhancing quality. Breastmilk changes in composition depending on your baby's need. Formula milk remains the same regardless the needs of your baby. How so?

1. Breastmilk changes with baby's age~ breastmilk for premature babies has particular high protein level: similarly breastmilk for an 8 month old baby is higher in calories than for a 1 month old.
2. Breastmilk changes with the weather~ in very hot climate, breastmilk contains more water: in cold climate, breastmilk contains more fat.
3. Breastmilk changes in taste depending on what the mother eats~ so, your baby is exposed to different tastes throughout his early months (would you like to eat exactly the same food day in day out for 6 months? I dont think so!)

"Dan Ibu-Ibu hendaklah menyusukan anak-anak mereka selama

dua tahun genap, iaitu bagi orang yang hendak menyempurnakan penyusuan itu"

Dari ayat di atas (AL-BAQARAH:233).

BREASTFEED SOON

Early initiation of breastfeeding has these advantages:

1. The problems of breast engorgement when the milk 'comes in' are reduced or eliminated
2. Through early feeding of colostrum's, which has a laxative effect, bilirubin is eliminated in the bowel movements, reducing the incidence of jaundice.
3. The baby receives the immunological benefits earlier.
4. Bonding between mother and baby is enhanced.

BREASTFEED OFTEN

There is really only one way to breastfeed- ON DEMAND. No clocks, no watches!
Your newborn baby's stomach is not much bigger than a hard boiled egg. So, please don't expect him to drink a whole lot and sleep for hours in the beginning, even if you have plentiful supply of milk. Offer the breast whenever he cries or want to suck. This may be every 2 hours OR even every half an hour.


TIP: It is best not to wait until he cries, as crying baby is an 'angry' baby. He may be fretful at the breast because he's too hungry. If the baby is calm, use your finger and touch his cheeks. If he goes for it, he wants his feed!  
Here's what will happen with you, your baby and your milk in the first few weeks:

	Milk appearance and amount	YOU (the mummy)
Birth	Your milk will appear yellow or golden. The amount will be small, but it gives your baby a healthy dose of protection against diseases.	You will be tired and excited. This is a good time for you to feed your baby.
First 12-24 hours	Your baby will drink about 1 teaspoon of your milk at each feeding. You may not see the milk, but it has what your baby needs and in the right amounts. Notes: Newborn stomach capacity is only 20mL = 4 teaspoons	Continue resting and getting to know your baby. Your breasts may be a little tender at first. If breastfeeding hurts, ask for help from someone who has experience helping breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding should not hurt.
Days 2-5	Your mature milk comes in. It will look bluish white, but may still look a little yellow or golden for about 2 weeks.	Your breasts will feel full and may leak. If your breast become swollen and hard, remove a little milk from your breasts before feeding your baby. Between feedings, use ice packs to reduce swelling (sometimes called ‘engorgement’) which will go away in 1-2 days. Breastfeeding your baby helps reduce the swelling.
First 4-6 weeks	Your milk gradually starts to look bluish white at beginning of a feeding and creamy white toward the end of a feeding.  The colour may be vary a little from day to day. Some foods you eat can change the colour of your milk, but this won’t harm your baby.	Your body gets used to breastfeeding so your breasts will be softer and the leaking will slow down. Don’t worry. The milk is still there.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH?

For exclusively breastfeed babies, you can tell by:

1. Baby's sucking~ you may hear your baby swallow as he feeds. You can observe your baby's sucking. If he is pausing after each suck, he is drinking a mouthful of milk everytime. A few minutes of this type of suck will mean he has had a substantial feed.

2. Bowel movements~

In the 1st few days, the bowel movement is dark green and sticky. This is called meconium. From about the 3rd day, his bowel movements will become lighter and more yellow in colour, until eventually it becomes tan to mustard colour, with the consistency of a thick cream soup. Babies under 6 weeks old have at least 2 to 5 bowel movements in 24 hour period.

*Foremilk-hindmilk imbalance or oversupply syndrome~ This means that you may be switching breasts too quickly. So, your baby is only getting watery foremilk at the beginning of feed and not the hindmilk that comes later on in a feeding. In this case, you will need to let him nurse until one breast is completely soft and when baby has stopped swallowing, before switching to the other breast. If you have a high supply, you may even have to feed him only one breast per feeding. 

3. Wet diapers~ With the exception of the 1st few days before the milk 'comes in', when there may only be 1-3 moderately wet diapers a day, babies under 6 weeks old should have 5-6 heavy wet disposable diapers (or 7-8 cloth diapers) in a 24 hour. If you are not sure of what a heavy wet diaper should feel like, pour 3-4 tablespoons of water onto a dry diapers and feel the weight. Older babies may have fewer wet diapers as their bladders mature, but these diapers will be heavier. The baby's urine should always be light in colour and mild smelling.

4. Your baby is content for 1-2 hours between most feedings (This varies)

5. Your baby is gaining 120-200 gram per week (Varies between babies)


Eat a lots of MILK and FIBERS to encourage milk SUPPLY!
Breads, cereals, and beansFiber

Examples of foods that have fiber include

1/2 cup of navy beans 9.5 grams
1/2 cup of kidney beans 8.2 grams
1/2 cup of black beans 7.5 grams

Whole-grain cereal, cold
1/2 cup of All-Bran9.6 grams
3/4 cup of Total2.4 grams
3/4 cup of Post Bran Flakes5.3 grams
1 packet of whole-grain cereal, hot3.0 grams
(oatmeal, Wheatena)
1 whole-wheat English muffin4.4 grams

Fruits
1 medium apple, with skin3.3 grams
1 medium pear, with skin4.3 grams
1/2 cup of raspberries4.0 grams
1/2 cup of stewed prunes3.8 grams

Vegetables
1/2 cup of winter squash2.9 grams
1 medium sweet potato with skin4.8 grams
1/2 cup of green peas4.4 grams
1 medium potato with skin3.8 grams
1/2 cup of mixed vegetables4.0 grams
1 cup of cauliflower2.5 grams
1/2 cup of spinach3.5 grams
1/2 cup of turnip greens2.5 grams

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.