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Things I wish I knew about Breastfeeding

Written By: Sindhu Kambam
April 2, 2021

Highlights

Don’t miss the first milk (Colostrum) to your baby

Do what works best for you and your baby.

Breast pumps are recommended when your baby is not sucking properly.

Try all the positions of Breastfeeding and choose the one that you and your baby are comfortable with.

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Breastfeeding is a magical process, but it’s a general misconception that it is a natural and easy process. The journey of a breastfeeding mother is hard with many challenges and more pain.

Breastfeeding could be incredibly painful and a difficult skill that both you and your little one will have to get perfect.

Colostrum is the perfect first meal for a newborn, that is invaluable to your child’s health, immune system, and development. So, the first milk goes a long way in your baby’s tiny tummy.

Breast pumps are recommended when your baby is not sucking properly or your baby is premature and needs special care in the hospital or sometimes, you may not be able to feed your baby due to some complications.

When you are breastfeeding, you may notice that milk is dripping or leaking from the other breast that your baby is not breastfeeding on. You may notice a tingling sensation in and around your breasts and a feeling of fullness.

Breastfeeding challenges are common in the first couple of weeks, and most of them resolve with time and a little guidance.

However difficult breastfeeding might be in the beginning, it can be so wonderful after that initial challenging period and more rewarding than you expect. All you need after the hard days is the health and happiness of your baby.

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Are you on the brink of motherhood?

Excited about your journey as a first-time mom and eager to find more breastfeeding tips?

Breastfeeding is a magical process, but it’s a general misconception that it is a natural and easy process.

In reality, the journey of a breastfeeding mother is hard with many challenges and more pain.

Here are some insights for new mothers to prepare for one of the most beautiful — yet challenging — experiences that you’ll encounter as a mother.

Don’t miss the first milk (Colostrum) to your baby

Colostrum is the first thick liquid that comes from your breasts, in the first few days of breastfeeding. Do you know how precious it is? It is packed with proteins, salts, antibodies, nutrients and is the ideal nourishment for a newborn which cannot be reproduced or substituted.

It’s the perfect first meal for a newborn, that is invaluable to your child’s health, immune system, and development. So, the first milk goes a long way in your baby’s tiny tummy.

Even if you can’t breastfeed or choose not to, try to give your baby the greatest gift of colostrum.

Breastfeeding is not always easy

Breastfeeding could be incredibly painful and a pretty difficult skill that both you and your little one will have to get perfect.

You may feel the need to feed your baby every two to three hours, (in the worse cases every 15 minutes), around the clock during the first few weeks. Your nipples might get sore and painful. Nipple creams or nipple shields can help soothe and protect them.

You might feel it difficult to understand the comfortable position to feed your baby. Sometimes, lying down might not work or it might be the only position that works for you. It changes as the baby grows and there is no one right or wrong way. It takes a lot of patience and persistence, especially considering post-partum body discomforts.

Try all the positions and choose the one that you and your baby are comfortable with.

You need to use Breast Pumps!

Many women have no idea about breast pumps. Some even wonder what that is and what is it used for. You might face a situation when you need to extract the milk and feed it to the child using a feeding syringe or a bottle. Here comes the need to use breast pumps, the tools used to extract the milk from breasts.

Breast pumps are recommended when your baby is not sucking properly or your baby is premature and needs special care in the hospital or sometimes, you may not be able to feed your baby due to some complications.

Pumping might seem daunting at first, but once you get the knack of it.it gets easier.

Hot showers, heat pads, and massagers will help you maximize your milk output.

Milk letdown

When you are breastfeeding, you may notice that milk is dripping or leaking from the other breast that your baby is not breastfeeding on. You may notice a tingling sensation in and around your breasts and a feeling of fullness.

It’s a reflex that occurs when the nerves in your breasts are stimulated, usually as a result of your baby sucking and it’s normal.

Do what works best for you and your baby

Everyone says their opinions. But what worked for one mom may not work for you.

Trust your instincts. Seek help from someone who knows about breastfeeding.

It is completely normal if you hate breastfeeding and feel the need to stop it and it’s okay to feed until your baby wants to stop.

You can’t eat everything

If you are a first-time mom, you might probably have already got the advice from your mothers or elders, that you need to avoid some foods while breastfeeding.

Wondered why?

What you eat can cross into your breastmilk. For instance, garlic and other spices can tinge the taste of your breastmilk.

Certain foods can even lower your milk supply if consumed in large portions and some foods can cause gas in babies.

But not all types of food reactions are proven. So, unless you notice some adverse reactions in the baby, you are free to eat all the veggies and fruits.

You could get Pregnant

Don’t believe the myth that you can’t get pregnant while breastfeeding.

More pumping or breastfeeding results in the release of more prolactin levels and the chances you will ovulate are less.

So, don’t think of breastfeeding as a reliable form of birth control because you can still get pregnant while breastfeeding!

Don’t hesitate to ask for help

Breastfeeding challenges are common in the first couple of weeks, and most of them resolve with time and a little guidance.

Talk to your family members if you are struggling with breastfeeding or have any concerns. Ask your friends about their experiences. Consult a lactation specialist or nurses if there is a need.

However difficult breastfeeding might be in the beginning, it can be so wonderful after that initial challenging period and more rewarding than you expect. All you need after the hard days is the health and happiness of your baby.

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Sindhu Kambam

A content writer by profession with a passion in art and science. Being a nature and technology lover, she loves to solve real problems that makes life easier.

1 thought on “Things I wish I knew about Breastfeeding”

  1. Shtami
    April 18, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    There is so much misinformation in this post.

    Reply

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Dear People Visiting the Sick, Please Be Kind to the Caregivers

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin
January 2, 2021 | 01:15 PM |
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When my dad had suffered a stroke, we have seen the pillar of our lives crumble in different ways – physically, mentally, cognitively, and emotionally. It changed our lives and the way we lived completely. Doctor and physiotherapist visits, 24×7 nursing care, and dealing with the fact that the ground beneath our feet is constantly shifting. Every day I would just ask myself what could we have done differently to have avoided this misfortune. The most difficult thing to cope with has been the deep despair and heartbreak of knowing what Dad must be going through every day because of his debilitating condition.

To see our hero lying in bed being fed, dependent for his everyday needs, not being able to hear his voice has been the most difficult and traumatic time in our lives. However, as much as his relatives and friends miss him, it’s the immediate family who undoubtedly felt his absence even in his presence. Oh what wouldn’t we give to hear him call our names? What wouldn’t my mother give for his comforting presence in her bed next to her, for another argument with him, for his companionship?

But the most distressing thing has been dealing with people around us. While many were supportive and wished us well and were constantly praying for him, many close ones spoke ill behind our back, constantly judged us for the decisions we made, second guessed our intentions. This took a huge toll on my mother, who was the primary caregiver, and us, mentally and psychologically for it left us feeling less and loathed with self guilt.

To those I wish to say that may you never have to go through what we have. May you never have to see your loved one suffer and deal with someone doubting your care for them lecturing us on the diets to give, treatments, etc. It is very painful. No one takes care of the caregivers. No one takes a moment to ask them how they have been doing, have they gotten enough sleep, how are they managing the funds, their work, their health and their family.

To the people visiting the sick, I ask you to be kind to the caregivers. To trust that since they are the most affected by what happened to their loved one, they are definitely doing our best. That they have invested their time, effort and money in getting the best treatment and care and if there was more they could do then they would probably do it regardless of what anyone has to suggest or say. They know best and it’s their call to make.

Caregiving is never one-size-fits-all

Unless you have lived with them for a week, both day and night, do not speak for them or speak of them. It’s too much at times to be patient in the face of adversity so don’t add to their distress and self guilt. And if you hear someone criticizing them, judging them, shut them up and tell them, “Am sure they are doing their best”.

Who takes care of the caregivers?

Caregiver burnout or caregiver stress is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. It may be accompanied by a change in attitude, from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able, physically or financially.

Today, I want to tell myself and so many caregivers out there who are struggling to cope, don’t get drowned in dealing with your ill ones. You don’t owe answers or explanations to your relatives or friends and if they cared that much, then they might as well take over. Don’t try to micromanage things. It’s not possible. Mistakes will happen and it’s okay.

Self-care for caregivers

You are human too. Self care is important. You may feel like giving up many times in the day but don’t. The critics will criticize. That is all they know for they haven’t lived in our shoes. They only know what they see in that moment and derive their conclusions from that.

Take time to love your loved one but also love yourself. Crack a joke or two whenever you can. Read a book, magazine or newspaper for some time every day. Go for therapy if you need or talk to a loved one. Have a hobby to distract you. Go for a walk. Or even cry if you feel like. Make yourself a priority too. And turn a deaf ear to what people say. 

And remember, for everything the illness takes away from your loved one, what it can never ever take away is their love, their laughter and their memories.

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Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin has done her masters in Journalism & Communication and has worked as a senior journalist, editor and columnist for leading publications like The Logical Indian, Deccan Chronicle, Worldwide Media Corporation, The Bridge and Provoke.
With Infano, she hopes to create more awareness about women’s health issues. Suffering with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, she has also been advocating for its awareness through media.

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