Should You Breastfeed?

The decision of how to feed your baby is a very personal one. The benefits of breast-feeding are numerous and significant, but many women still choose not to for reasons all their own. Before you decide how to feed your child, take a few moments to study up on breastfeeding, then armed with information, making your choice should be easier.




Breastfeeding has two stages, colustrum and regular milk. Colustrum is the very first milk produced. It occurs during the first two to three days, and is a thick, whitish liquid. Colustrum is exactly what a new baby needs. It is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies. It is also extremely easy for the newborn’s system to digest. One of the first things that the colustrum does is produce a laxative effect. It helps the baby to pass the meconium, which are thick and tarry. It also helps to clear excess bilirubin and prevent jaundice. So, if a baby is born with jaundice, the best thing is to nurse. Colustrum also carries an extremely high number of both antibodies and leukocytes (protective white cells), and helps the baby’s immature immune system fight off diseases, viruses, and bacteria. In effect, colustrum super-charges the baby’s system and helps prepare him for life outside the womb.

By the third or fourth day after birth, the second stage of breastfeeding occurs. This is when the regular milk comes in. This milk is much thinner, but contains all the nutrition a baby needs to grow and thrive. Just as colustrum did, the regular breast milk carries much-needed antibodies to help the baby’s system. Antibodies are molecules made by your immune system that help to fight off illness. Breast milk contains all of the antibodies that the mother’s body has created. As new germs are introduced into the baby’s environment, the mother’s body begins preparing antibodies to ward off those germs. These new antibodies are then passed through the breast milk to help the baby fight off the new threat. Now, this doesn’t mean that breastfed babies never get sick, but research has shown that they do typically recover more quickly than a formula-fed baby.

There are additional benefits to breastfeeding other than just the antibodies. It has been shown that breastfeeding offers protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, staph, strep, e-coli infections, diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, childhood cancers, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella, and SIDS.

Breastfeeding also offers benefits to the mother. Long-term breastfeeding, for a cumulative total of two years or more, has been shown to reduce a mother’s chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also helps the mother to lose weight more quickly after having a baby. Because many women do not get their periods back until they stop nursing, breastfeeding also helps to naturally space out children. But, it is important to note that one should never rely solely on breastfeeding for birth control.

These are just a few of the amazing things that breast milk can do for a baby. You would think that with all this research, the decision to breast-feed would be a “no-brainer”. Unfortunately, one of the biggest deciding factors of whether a woman decides to breastfeed is the reaction of family members.

The decision to breast-feed is yours. Take at least as much time to learn about breastfeeding as you did when you picked out your baby’s crib; more if you can spare it. Arm yourself with knowledge and then make a decision. Only you can decide if breastfeeding is right for you and your family.

Breastfeeding Tips

The Following Tips Can Help Foster Successful Nursing


Get an early start:
Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, when an infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the you won't be producing milk yet, your breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease. (For more tips see Establishing breastfeeding with your newborn.)


Proper positioning:
The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. Getting your baby latched on can be a challenge at first. A nurse, midwife, or other knowledgeable person can help you find a comfortable nursing position.


Nurse on demand:
Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate your breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. Because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.


No supplements:
Nursing babies don't need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk you will produce.


Delay artificial nipples:
It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breast-feed.


Air dry:
In the early postpartum period or until your nipples toughen, you should try to air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If your nipples do crack, you can coat them with breast milk. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the mother's very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.


Watch for infection: Symptoms of breast infection include fever and painful lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.


Expect engorgement:
A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this engorgement, you should feed the baby frequently and on demand until your body adjusts and produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and take warm baths to relieve the pain.


Eat right, get rest:
To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a good quality, balanced diet and six to eight glasses of fluid. You should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue.


Source: fda.gov

Shop Now For Yor Nursing Needs