How do I know if my milk is of poor quality for the baby?
Mothers who breastfeed sometimes wonder if they are giving their children a quality milk or if it has some defect, in truth all milks are good.
Feeding our baby is essential for him to grow up healthy and strong . Therefore, it is very normal, especially among new mothers, that there is some concern regarding the quality of the breast milk generated.
There is a false belief that mothers can generate poor quality milk, which can be harmful to the baby. However, this legend is not true , since pediatrics assures that the quality of mothers’ milk is always good for the newborn.
It is when we store it or eat something that causes a reaction to the baby that may stop being good, but that does not mean that the mother generates poor quality milk, but that this milk has been processed or affected by another food.
At PregDream we tell you how to know when the milk is not good for your newborn and we debunk the cliché that breast milk can be of poor quality for the baby.
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WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MY MILK DURING BREASTFEEDING?
Although all mothers produce excellent breast milk , they are in the world where they are and have a different diet , if some specific diseases could affect the state of our milk when breastfeeding. In these specific cases, the doctor will be aware of your situation and will be able to give you the most appropriate advice.
Otherwise, your milk will be in good condition and will be of great quality for your baby. However, there are some tips that we can follow to ensure that we are giving our child the best food if we choose to breastfeed:
– Maybe once you have given birth you think that you can go back to your old habits, such as a diet rich in fat, tobacco or alcohol . However, every time you consume any of these harmful substances you will be passing them through the milk when you breastfeed your newborn, which will be just as bad as if you had consumed them during pregnancy. Therefore, we will stop taking these foods and products while we are breastfeeding, at least until our baby stops breastfeeding.
– You may like spicy foods a lot, but your baby will not like them at all. Remember that every time you consume something with a strong flavor it will go directly into your milk. Also, think that all those foods that are spicy produce a greater need to go to the bathroom, so it could also affect your baby’s stools.
– Your newborn may cry excessively, turn red or scratch constantly after breastfeeding . Without knowing it, you may be suffering from an allergy or food intolerance to some of the foods you eat and you pass it on while breastfeeding. Therefore, it is best that you consult with your pediatrician as soon as possible. In some cases, the mother is recommended to stop eating certain cereals, meats or nuts in order to see if the effects subside. Otherwise, it might be better to seek an alternative option to breastfeeding with your doctor. This does not mean that the quality of the milk is poor.Or that you are doing something wrong as a mother, your baby simply has specific nutritional needs that must be controlled by a doctor for the good of his health and growth.
– Drink a lot of water , since the first milk that comes out of the breast is more liquid than the rest. This is to quench the baby’s thirst and then it thickens to be able to feed him better and get rid of the constant feeling of hunger that he may have been experiencing before breastfeeding.
WHAT CAN AFFECT THE QUALITY OF MILK
Apart from all the previous tips so that the quality of your milk, which is surely excellent for the baby itself, improves, there are other reasons why the quality of your milk could be affected.
Those mothers who cannot breastfeed their children as many times as they would like, perhaps for work reasons, should remove it with a breast pump and keep it for later administration.
However, we must carry out this process very carefully, otherwise we could convert a milk that was in good condition to be of poor quality. It is also very important that we remember that once the breast milk has been extracted, it can only be consumed up to 24 hours later, at the most, at room temperature and a couple of days more if we have it refrigerated .
Before giving the breast milk expressed from your breast with the bottle to the baby, you should always try it yourself first. In this way you will know if it is no longer in good condition, due to its sour taste, the yellowish color or perhaps that it is no longer as liquid as when you removed it from the chest. If you notice that it tastes different or makes you look bad, don’t give it to your baby. It is better that you then breastfeed or look for an alternative, spoiled milk could be harmful to your health.
There are many legends that people have believed for many years and your family and friends may tell you without malicious intent. Remember that medicine is progressing very fast nowadays and that if you have any questions regarding your breast milk or your baby’s diet, you should always contact your health professional, who is the one who will best know how to advise you so that your newborn can grow up healthy and strong. as you deserve.
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.