Committed to doing what is best for their babies, many soon-to-be mothers are understandably anxious about breastfeeding for the first time. Nursing a baby is a new experience, and there are many questions involved. A run-down of the basics may help allay some fears.
Breastfeeding requires only a hungry baby and a lactating breast. Other supplies a mother should have on hand include breast pads to absorb inevitable leaks, cloth diapers or towels to serve as spit-up clothes, and a cover-up for discrete nursing in public.
Nursing clothes will make breastfeeding more convenient and discrete. Designers take into consideration the modern woman's desire to be fashionable while tending her children, and have improved the outdated, boxy look of what used to pass as nursing attire. Tops, dresses, active wear, swimwear, and sleepwear are all available in cute or business-like styles.
Nursing bras are an important element of the new mother's wardrobe. Best are those made from breathable material in a comfortable, non-binding style to hep prevent nipple cracking or milk duct clogging, both of which can contribute to breast infections. The modern mother can decide between attractive underwire or softcup bras for daytime wear and sleep bras to hold nursing pads at night.
The new mother should focus on a healthy diet, just as when she was pregnant, although without the same legalistic regulations. All foods pass into the milk, so a mother must think twice before consuming anything that would harm the baby, particularly medications, medicinal herbs, alcohol and caffeine.
While small amounts of alcohol and caffeine are thought to have a minor effect on the child, an excess of either should be avoided. Baby should be nursed only after the effects of these substances has had time to wear off-two to three hours.
Nursing the baby directly is the most rewarding aspect of breastfeeding. A working mother, however, will need to pump and store milk for the times when her baby is unavailable. This will keep her milk supply up, provide bottles for the baby, and help keep the mother's breasts from becoming engorged or clogged. Breast milk can be stored for up to eight days in the back of the refrigerator, and up to 12 months in a deep freezer.
If a nursing mother needs breastfeeding advice, there are organizations and people willing to help. Le Leche League is the most well-known breastfeeding advocacy group. Lactation consultants can also be located through the local hospital, a city's Family-to-Family center, or a moms' club. Medical advice should be sought if the mother shows signs of an infection, such as pain that does not go away with massage and heat application, and which leads to redness and fever.
The World Health Organization recommends that mothers breastfeed their children for at least two years before weaning. This may seem overwhelming to a new mom with a two-hour old baby. For the moment, she only needs to focus on the fact that every drop of breast milk she can give that child throughout its early years will add to the baby's health and immunity, increase the maternal bond, and provide health benefits for mother as well. Breast milk truly is liquid gold.
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