What is breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is the way of feeding the baby with milk produced by the breast. This is the form of feeding recommended by the World Health Organization, at least until 6 months, since breast milk contains all the nutrients necessary for the healthy development of the baby, as well as immunoprotective substances. In addition, breast milk is always available and at the ideal temperature.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
Feeding the baby through breastfeeding contributes to mother-child interaction, which can contribute to strengthening the affective bond between mother and child. In addition, there are also specific advantages for each.
Advantages for the baby:
- Provides all the necessary nutrients for healthy development
- Breast milk is safe, it contains antibodies that help protect the child from childhood diseases such as:
- It also helps to reduce the risk of:
- sudden infant death syndrome
- severe infections with hospitalisation
- urinary tract infections
- gastroesophageal reflux (stomach contents going back into the oesophagus) – because it increases gastric emptying
In addition to these immediate benefits, breastfeeding seems to contribute to the fact that, as adolescents or adults, they are less likely to develop chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
Advantages for the mother:
- May facilitate weight loss after childbirth
- Reduces the risk of developing of:
- breast and ovarian cancer
- diabetes
- hypertension
Breastfeeding is also associated with economic benefits for the family.
When should I start breastfeeding?
It is recommended to start breastfeeding within an hour after delivery and, whenever possible, maintain breastfeeding as an exclusive form of feeding (without offering any other food) until 6 months of age.
How long should I breastfeed?
According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is recommended exclusively until 6 months of age. After starting the introduction of other foods, breastfeeding should be continued until the age of 2 years or more.
What should the latch and positioning be like for breastfeeding?
The correct latch is achieved throughout the breastfeeding process. To help you you can follow these steps:
- Your baby's mouth should cover most or all of the areola, not just the nipple
- The top of the areola has to be more visible than the bottom
- When the baby opens his mouth, he should bring the breast closer with the nipple pointed at the top of the baby's mouth
- The baby's chin should be the first part to touch the breast and during breastfeeding it should always remain in contact with the breast
- Your baby's nose should be turned upwards to be able to breathe while sucking milk.
If you need to interrupt your baby when you are latching on, insert your clean finger gently into the corner of his mouth to stop the sucking.
Despite these general recommendations, there is no single way to breastfeed.
Is it normal to have pain when breastfeeding?
No. Breastfeeding that is done in a correct way should not hurt. The most common cause of pain is an incorrect latch with the baby's tongue rubbing or compressing the nipple. Breastfeeding can also be painful, especially if you have:
- Engorgement – breast under painful tension and with a warm breast sensation
- cracked nipples
- mastitis – inflamed, painful, red breast with obstruction of the mammary ducts (milk outlet channels)
What is breast engorgement and how can I prevent it?
Breast engorgement can occur whenever there is an "imbalance" between the amount of milk produced and consumed by the baby.
To prevent engorgement you should:
- Make sure your baby latches on well
- Breastfeed at free time, i.e. whenever the baby wants (usually a minimum of 8 times every 24 hours)
How can I relieve engorgement of the breasts?
To help resolve this situation:
- Apply warm compresses or a shower with warm water and gently massage the skin with circular motions in relation to the nipple (before breastfeeding it can make it easier for milk to come out)
- Place the baby to feed first at the fullest breast (you may need to express some milk to make it easier to latch on)
- If the breast is still congested after breastfeeding, you should empty it manually or with the help of a breast pump until you feel well
- At the end of breastfeeding, apply cold compresses or ice (protected) for no more than 10 minutes
How can I prevent cracked nipples?
During the breastfeeding period, the nipple may become sore and cracked (cracked). To prevent this you should:
- Make sure your baby latches on well
- Apply 2 to 3 drops of breast milk to the nipple and areola after bathing and each feeding
- Avoid the use of waterproof absorbent discs
- let the baby interrupt the feeding (if you really have to interrupt it, gently place a finger in the baby's mouth to stop sucking)
- Wash the nipples only once a day, in the course of daily hygiene, without the use of soap
I have cracked nipples. What should I do?
If you have cracked nipples:
- Start breastfeeding through the non-painful nipple
- Continue to apply 2 to 3 drops of breast milk to the nipple and areola, after bathing and each feeding
- expose the nipples to the air, whenever possible, between feedings
How can I prevent mastitis?
Breastfeeding-associated mastitis is an inflammation located to the breast, associated with fever, redness, and pain in the breast. It is more common in the 3 months after childbirth and can generally be prevented. To do this, you must:
- treating engorgement and cracked nipples early
- Breastfeeding too often
- Avoid wearing clothes that compress the breast
- Aerate the breast at the end of breastfeeding
What should I do to relieve mastitis?
If you have mastitis, you should:
- Initiating breastfeeding from the inflamed breast
- After feeding, empty the affected side manually or with a pump
- Apply cold compresses as in engorgement
- bathing or showering lukewarm
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids
- If necessary, consult the nurse or family doctor
How should I express breast milk manually?
To collect your milk you need a sterile container and be careful to wash your hands before the procedure. Settle comfortably in a clean and quiet place and follow these steps:
- Make a "C" with your hand, placing your thumb above the areola (area around the nipple) and the remaining fingers below
- Keep the breast pressed back slightly against your ribs
- Press with your thumb and forefinger at the same time (you should not slide your fingers along the skin)
- Then relieve the pressure
- Press again
- Relieve again, repeating these steps, changing the position of the fingers around the breast, to remove the milk from all the channels
How should I wash the breast pump?
The materials used in extraction and storage can be washed in the dishwasher (check the specifications of the equipment), or with running water and soap. They should be rinsed well and then boiled (or sterilized) for 5 min after boiling. It is essential that you wash your hands every time you handle materials.
How long can breast milk be stored?
You can store breast milk in the fridge or freezer in sterile containers suitable for storing breast milk. Breast milk can be stored for different times:
- at room temperature (<25ºC) – 4 hours
- refrigerator (4ºC) – 4 days
- freezer (-18ºC) – recommended 6 months, but acceptable up to 12 months
If in doubt, talk to your doctor or nurse.
How should I transport breast milk?
When you don't have a fridge or need to carry your breast milk:
- Use a cooler bag with an ice bag
- This method of storage will last up to 24 hours
How should I store breast milk?
You should take some precautions when storing breast milk:
- Store small portions in the fridge, in different containers
- You should store it in sterile containers suitable for the storage of breast milk – freezer bags, rigid plastic or glass bottles, with lids
- You must label the container with the day/month/year (and the child's name, if it is to be delivered to the nursery)
- As soon as you get the desired amount, and don't expect to use it in 4 days, freeze it
- In the refrigerator, food must be in properly closed boxes to avoid the risk of contamination of breast milk
How do I thaw my breast milk?
If you need to thaw breast milk, you should take the following precautions:
- Consume breast milk that has been stored for the longest time first
- Give preference to a slow defrost inside the refrigerator
- Thaw the milk under warm running water or in a container of warm water
Regarding thawed breast milk:
- consume within 24 hours of being defrosted in the refrigerator
- consume within 2 hours after thawing with warm water or at room temperature;
- Do not refreeze
The microwave is not suitable for thawing or warming human breast milk.
Do not use:
- warmed breast milk, not consumed within 2 hours
- Foul-smelling breast milk
I'm breastfeeding. What precautions should I take with food?
While breastfeeding, a woman's diet should be varied and balanced, with a preference for foods rich in vitamins and minerals. You should not forget about frequent fluid intake. There may be an indication for dietary supplements, according to medical advice.
On the other hand, you should limit the consumption of stimulant drinks, for example, black tea, coffee or other beverages containing caffeine, and alcoholic beverages, as these are known to pass through breast milk and can harm the baby's development.
When should breastfeeding be stopped?
It may be necessary to temporarily suspend breastfeeding if the mother has a medical condition, for example an infectious disease such as chickenpox, herpes with breast lesions or active tuberculosis.
I'm pregnant, but I'm breastfeeding. Can I continue to breastfeed?
There is no absolute contraindication to breastfeeding during pregnancy. However, you may start to notice that there is a reduction in your milk or other symptoms. You should talk to your doctor and let them know.
You can find more information in the parent's guide and pregnant guide.