Breastfeeding 101: Nursing Basics for New Moms
46532
Health & Fitness
Oct 9, 2007
adrien
Breastfeeding 101: Nursing Basics for New Moms
Making the choice to breastfeed your new baby is one of the most important and far-reaching decisions you will make as a new mother. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant nutrition for the first year of life. The current AAP breastfeeding policy states,"Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is species-specific; all substitute feeding options differ markedly from it." Why? As acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the exact chemical make-up of breast milk remains unknown and cannot be duplicated. Each year, synthetic baby milks are found to be nutritionally deficient as scientists expand their knowledge of human milk. Some of the known benefits of breastfeeding are: * Breastfeeding is your baby's perfect nutrition. Breastmilk is a living substance that changes to meet your baby's nutritional needs, both during individual feedings and as he or she grows. Plus, you never have to worry about breastmilk being recalled for contamination. * Breastfed babies have higher IQ's. Formula feeding is associated with lower IQ's and cognitive development. A recent study found, on average, children who were breastfed to have a three to five point IQ advantage over their formula fed peers. * Breastfed babies (and mothers!) are healthier. Breastfeeding is proven to reduce risk of infection and disease by aiding in immune system development. Breastfed infants have lower incidences of asthma, gastrointestinal illness, diabetes, cancers, and are less likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). They are additionally better able to absorb ingested nutrients, and receive greater immunity from childhood immunizations. Breastfeeding also lowers a mothers lifetime risk of many cancers. Preparing to Breastfeed Even though breastfeeding is a completely natural way of feeding your baby, knowing how to do it properly is a learned skill and takes practice. How can you prepare for a successful nursing experience? * Take a class. Most hospital's and birthing centers offer a variety of classes to new mothers on parenting, birthing and breastfeeding. Check your local offerings and sign up in advance. Classes often fill up rapidly, so don't wait. * Read good books. Many excellent titles are available to answer all the questions you forgot to ask your health care provider (and those you were too embarrassed to). Consider, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding," by Gwen Gotsch, Anwar Fazal, Plume, Judy Torgus. * Think about what you'll need to make life easier. Breastfeeding has the advantage of being the most simplistic way of feeding a baby--no bottles to wash and carry or formula to buy. But that doesn't mean a few well chosen accessories can't enhance the experience. Will you want others to be able to help with feedings, or do you have plans to return to work after your baby's birth? A hospital-grade breast pump might be in order. Might you be more comfortable during long nursing sessions having a nursing pillow or foot stool? How about breastfeeding in public? Consider the options of a sling or nursing cape for discreet public feedings--and don't forget to be sized for a properly fitting nursing bra. Birth and Beyond Your baby has arrived and you're ready to put all your months of preparation to the test. Remember: * The lactation consultant is your friend. Many hospital's and birthing centers (and pediatrician's offices too!) have lactation consultants on staff that will be happy to get you and your baby off to a healthy start in your nursing relationship. Don't miss the opportunity to meet with a consultant for practical, hands-on advice about the mechanics of breastfeeding. * Keep score. Unlike bottlefeeding, you can't measure how much milk your baby is getting through breastmilk, so keep count of your baby's wet and dirty diapers to make sure he or she is receiving adequate nutrition. Although it is very rare a mother does not produce enough milk to feed her baby, if you have any questions, be sure to contact your pediatrician. * Give it time. Nursing your baby is a dance that takes time to learn. Though some babies are champion nursers from the beginning, many new moms find it takes some effort to perfect the skill. The first few weeks are often the most difficult, but if you experience problems, don't give up. Given the right assistance, the vast majority of woman can successfully breastfeed their babies. Meet with a lactation consultant or attend a local La Leche League meeting. Utilize the support of other nursing mother's. Most of all, pat yourself on the back for making the choice to give your baby the best start in life you can offer, and health benefits that will last a whole life through.
Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit http://curvesenhancement.com
send email to adrien
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Most women are familiar with mammography as our gold standard for breast cancer screening. However, there are additional tools available that women can add to their arsenal.
Category:
From a very early age, women are subjected to ideals regarding the size and shape of their breasts. Modern media -- glossy magazines and movies - tell us how big and what shape they should be.
Category:
As you may already know, laser breast surgery is designed to provide strong internal support to lift the breasts, and to maintain a firm and appealing position. The procedure may be used for breast reduction, breast lift, or breast augmentation.
Category:
The great silicone fear of the 90's is vanishing, breasts are in again! Everyday, a large number of women are seeking enhancement of the breast size or shape. Even while still confused by contradictory reports about breast implants, women are reaching for
Category:
Adsense is really making a huge impact on the affiliate marketing industry nowadays. Because of this, weak affiliate merchants have the tendency to die faster than ever and ad networks will be going to lose their customers quickly.
Category:
From the Stone Age until just a few generations ago, human infants' only sustenance was mother's milk, but modern infant formula seems to be an adequate substitute. After all, infant mortality in Western societies is at historic lows and growth patterns a
Category:
Having a well-filled breast is almost every woman's dream. In a society like ours where having big breasts is adored and given such emphasis, it is not surprising that every flat-chested woman desires to be well-endowed. Various breast enhancement product
Category:
A woman's breast is a gland that produces milk in late pregnancy and after childbirth. Each breast is made of lobes which are groups of milk glands called lobules. Lobules are arranged around thin tubes called ducts which carry the milk to the nipple. The
Category:
Many web site owners are getting their Google Adsense account terminated when they have done nothing wrong to deserve the punishment. Considering the money that they are getting from Adsense, they would certainly want to get back into it.
Category:
I've read that if I take hormones I'll increase my breast cancer risk. I'm going crazy without sleep and with these mood swings, but I don't want to increase my breast cancer risk by taking hormones.
Category:
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts. There are a variety of reasons that women choose to have this procedure. Most commonly, women choose breast enlargement to improve their contour when they feel
Category:
So, you've decided to breastfeed - wonderful! We're here to help you get prepared, and to supply you with resources for help if you need it. Breastfeeding is such a natural thing; you would think that mother and baby should just instinctively know how to
Category:
Women need to empower themselves about the benefits and risks of mammography and examine the additional screening tools available today. One current philosophy suggests breast health screening should begin at age 25. Where does this recommendation come fr
Category:
Choosing the right implant, the position of the implant and where the incision is placed are some of the most important decisions a woman can make when considering breast implant surgery. When we see patients at the Plastic Surgery Clinic we spend most of
Category:
We hear it all the time... lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the extent to which this is critical to their physical well-being and ultimately their life expectancy.
Category:
Breast massage as a method of natural breast enhancement and breast health has actually been used for years as a means of stimulating healthy breast growth and promoting breast tone, pliability and firmness.
Category:
Breast Cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. According to the World Health Organization, over one million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year alone.
Category:
E-commerce is a cut throat business. You have to arm yourself with the proper know-how and the tools to make your site a cut above the rest.
Category:
Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic operations performed today. There are many reasons a woman would seek out breast augmentation. Some women who seek breast augmentation have small breasts and want to balance out their figures.
Category:
Other links at Health & Fitness
When mountain biking was introduced into the world of sports, it became a big hit instantly among avid fans of anything that is heart pumping.
Category:
Detox diets are used for cleansing the body, improving health, and weight loss. Water is a key ingredient in many successful detox diets.
Category:
There are many people in this world who do not feel as though they can ever lose weight.
Category:
You or a loved one may have a history of exposure to asbestos in environments such as your home (if built before the mid-1970's) and workplace.
Category:
Texas ranks in the bottom quarter of the nation for health care, according to recent reports. As a state with one of the highest rates of uninsured -- just over 25% -- this comes as no surprise to many.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68285
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
