Answers to 5 questions you MUST know about breastfeeding
There are a few things about breastfeeding that you should know right now, and never hesitate again!
Breastfeeding gets easier after the first few months, but it can actually be quite exhausting for mothers, this is the reality! It is beautiful, it is wonderful, but it is exhausting and that it is easy does not mean that it does not hurt. Expecting a baby or welcoming a newborn can be as scary as it is exciting, especially for new parents.
In addition, babies do not come with an instruction manual, and breastfeeding, no matter how much they explain … neither. Each mother is a world and each baby too. There are some ideas about breastfeeding that you should know to get a REAL idea about this beautiful and hard stage at the same time.
Index
SHOULD I EAT SPECIFIC FOODS WHILE BREASTFEEDING?
Yes! When breastfeeding, it is vital for new moms to maintain a healthy diet that is rich in fresh produce and contains more plant-based than animal-based foods. Some things to consider are the following:
- Eat a varied diet.
- Eat all foods but in moderation.
- Add healthy drink to every meal, that is, water!
- Eat smaller amounts but more frequently to maintain your energy levels well and thus have a better milk production capacity.
- Do not drink alcohol as it passes into breast milk.
- Wash fresh produce well before consuming and choose organic produce if possible.
- You must make sure to maintain a dietary balance by including foods from most of the necessary groups (the more colors they have being natural, the better).
HOW LONG SHOULD I BREASTFEED MY BABY?
There is no set time for you to breastfeed your baby, this is your decision. You can breastfeed your baby until two or three years old or extend it if you wish.
Health professionals strongly recommend exclusively feeding your baby for the first six months, as this will help reduce potential health problems for your baby and improve his cognitive functioning. From then on you can start introducing your baby to solid foods.
IS IT OKAY TO BREASTFEED AND USE FORMULA AT THE SAME TIME?
No! WHO (World Health Organization) and Department of Health guidelines recommend that the mother breastfeed exclusively for six months or even longer. Exclusive breastfeeding doesn’t mean anything else, no formula, no baby cereal, no water … Unless your pediatrician tells you that you can do it for different reasons. This is an evidence-based guide and is one of the most important ways to achieve radiant health in babies (and moms).
WHEN I AM BREASTFEEDING, DO I NEED A SCHEDULE OR IS IT BETTER TO DO IT ON DEMAND?
Never feed your baby according to a schedule, you should never leave him hungry. If he cries because he is hungry you will have to feed him. Breast milk and suckling on the mother’s breast create comfort and nutrition for the baby.
You will have to watch your baby for any obvious reasons for discomfort and trust your instincts: you will soon learn when your baby is hungry and you will be able to distinguish their crying for food.
IS IT OKAY TO BREASTFEED IN PUBLIC?
Yes, and whoever doesn’t like it, don’t look! There is nothing more natural than breastfeeding a baby and there is nothing obscene about it. You cannot predict when your child will be hungry and if he is in a public place, you will have to feed him. Breastfeeding a baby is not a scandalous activity and mothers do not need to expose themselves, everything is quite low-key, actually. There is more and more tolerance about this because it is actually the most natural act that exists in the human species.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.