Providing exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life. Then, continue breastfeeding for at least 12-24 months.

Breast milk offers optimal benefits for babies, protecting them from infections and reducing the risk of health problems later in life. However, did you know that breastfeeding also provides benefits for the mother?

Benefits of breast milk for babies

Deciding to breastfeed your baby is a significant decision. Breast milk contains various essential nutrients, such as proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. It also allows babies to receive antibodies from their mother that can fight infections.

Breast milk also directly stimulates and supports the immune system with proteins like lactoferrin and interleukins-6, -8, and -10. These proteins help enhance the body's inflammatory response.

Benefits of breastfeeding for mothers

You might think that breast milk only benefits the baby. However, mothers also gain many benefits from breastfeeding, including:

• It helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size
• Aiding in weight loss by burning up to 500 additional calories per day during breastfeeding
• Reducing the risk of postpartum depression, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer

Breastfeeding tips for first-time mothers

A mother's biggest concern is not having enough breast milk for the baby. Especially in the first few days of life, babies might not seem to nurse much and may be a bit fussy.

The baby’s fussiness makes the mother anxious and worried that the baby is not getting enough breast milk. Not getting enough milk is not the only cause of fussiness. There are several factors to consider when the baby is fussy, including whether their diaper is full or being too cold or too hot. 

It's essential for every first time mother to keep in mind that breast milk production increases as the baby nurses more frequently. This indicates that the more often the baby feeds, the greater the amount of milk the mother will produce. Therefore, there's no need to be concerned about having an insufficient milk supply.

Here are some helpful tips for new mothers who want to breastfeed:

Start with Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIBF)

It's recommended to breastfeed the baby soon after birth. During this period, your initial breast milk, known as colostrum, which is thick and yellowish in appearance, will be produced.

Colostrum is rich in proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and antibodies. It contains beneficial components that support good bacteria and help eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses that could affect the baby's health negatively.

EIBF also helps establish early bonding between mother and baby, making the baby feel comfortable.

Ensure perfect latching

Make sure the baby is sucking without making any noise. The latch may be incorrect if there is soreness, a wrinkled or tilted nipple, or the baby repeatedly lets go of the nipple after a few suckings, dimples form in the baby’s cheek with each sucking, the baby appears hungry after feeding, or the baby’s diaper does not seem wet. 

Breastfeed every 2–2.5 hours

The baby's stomach is still small and doesn't need a lot of milk. You can breastfeed every 2–2.5 hours or whenever the baby shows signs of hunger. However, start with one breast at each session to help ensure it is fully emptied.

Pay attention to feeding sessions

Babies usually nurse for about 15 minutes. However, if the baby still seems hungry, you can offer the other breast. It is important to ensure the baby is really nursing, not just sucking for comfort.

Breastfeeding requires commitment, which may be tiring for some. If you encounter problems with breastfeeding, you can consult a lactation counselor. Don't hesitate to learn how to breastfeed your baby properly and effectively from the experts.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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