16 questions and answers about breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is considered the ideal way to feed and provide the baby with the nutrients needed for healthy growth until at least 6 months of life. Although there are many magazines, blogs and websites on the subject, many first-time mothers have doubts and uncertainties about the correct way to live this stage.

O awesome.club knows that it is very important that people know all the details about this very important phase in a woman’s life. Therefore, we prepared this post with some questions that women often ask and their respective answers.

The WHO (World Health Organization) states that all mothers have the ability to breastfeed their babies, as long as they are informed and protected by their surroundings. However, the WHO does not hide that there are exceptionally difficult cases that require special care and attention, such as premature births, mothers with HIV or other special situations.

According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), babies can refuse the breast for different reasons. Although finding the breast is often an almost instinctive attitude for the newborn, there are some factors that can make breastfeeding difficult, such as an inadequate posture that prevents him from taking the nipple, some physical discomfort (resulting from a vaccine, for example, in which case the child soon recovers) and situations of mastitis, in which the milk seems more salty to the baby, among others.

The AEP also mentions that there are ‘false denials’. They can happen sporadically and do not mean that the baby will never want to be breastfed again. He may sleep more than usual (little ones sleep 8 to 10 hours in the months after birth, so it’s important to stimulate them with caresses so they wake up to nurse) or he may be satisfied with just one breast (it’s important that the mother alternate breasts to avoid mastitis).

On its website, the Nemours foundation recommends that a newborn baby breastfeed 10 to 12 times a day, with intervals of 2 to 3 hours, depending on hunger. It is important to remember that the size of a newborn’s stomach is very small, almost the size of a cherry. This changes as the child grows.

The AEP suggests that the amount of milk to be consumed does not follow a fixed rule, because every baby is different. However, when the child is one year old, he should receive half a liter of breast milk a day. Some women decide to breastfeed on demand (whenever the baby asks), while others prefer to establish schedules and follow a fixed routine.

The WHO recommends that babies younger than 6 months should not drink anything other than breast milk. This means that breastfeeding is exclusive until this age, without any supplements, not even on the hottest days. It is through breast milk that the mother administers all the liquid that her little one needs to live.

Yes, but always in accordance with medical recommendations. The AEP recommends that infants under one year old who are fed only breast milk receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 μL per day. This vitamin is very important because nowadays it is difficult to synthesize a sufficient amount just through sun exposure.

Also, some babies need an iron supplement until they start eating red meat. However, the amount and form of feeding must be indicated by the pediatrician. It is not recommended that the mother or baby take other vitamins without a prescription.

Newborn babies use their own signals to express that they are hungry. In addition to crying, they move their heads from side to side, open their mouths constantly, put their little hands in their mouths, purse their lips, rub their heads on their mother’s breasts or stretch, all to show that they are hungry.

Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) appears when the mother decides to give formula as a complement or when she ingests dairy products. When this happens, the baby has the following symptoms: eczema, diarrhea, crying, colic, and/or abdominal pain. It is always recommended to go to the pediatrician if there is any suspicion of a problem of this type. Usually, the doctor recommends that the mother eliminate dairy products from the diet while breastfeeding.

One of the most distressing moments for parents of a newborn is when he cries because he has colic. This can happen 2 to 3 times a day and some experts argue that they are caused by gas or some excessive stimulus. However, although colic is very common, there is no medical evidence in this regard, but there are solutions: carrying the baby correctly is a way to calm him down; massaging the belly and playing pleasant music are other strategies. We recommend that you read this article for more tips.

Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland, characterized by pain sensitivity of the nipple, redness and swelling of the breast. She is very common in mothers who are starting to breastfeed. This problem can appear when the mother produces more milk than the baby can consume or due to some obstruction of the mammary ducts.

The AEP recommends that, in cases of inflammation, redness, swelling or pain in the breasts, an application of heat be made before breastfeeding, in addition to a massage to unclog the ducts. It is important to improve the baby’s position and express more milk at the end of breastfeeding. If the mastitis is very complicated and uncomfortable, talk to your doctor so that he can assess the need for a remedy.

Babies starting the teething stage tend to feel a great deal of discomfort and seek relief by ‘scraping’ their mouth on anything; often the breast is the best choice. For the mother, this can be very painful, as the nipple has many nerve endings and is highly sensitive. However, the best thing to do is to show the child that this should not be done with a firm ‘no’, but never violently remove the breast.

For mothers who work outside the home, this is a frequent concern, as stress at work can cause a decrease in the amount of milk. However, it is possible that women who want to continue breastfeeding will do so even after going back to work. UNICEF has published a manual with tips on how to maintain breastfeeding in cases of work. This manual shows ways to carry out the correct extraction of milk and its conservation and the creation of special rooms for breastfeeding in offices.

According to WHO, weaning babies should happen when the mother decides. However, the common thing is for this to happen between the first and second year of life. Currently, professionals recommend maintaining breastfeeding for longer, up to 2 years, in all countries of the world.

At about 3 months, many babies tend to become restless, show more episodes of crying, sleep worse and ask for more milk than usual. This step is often critical for mothers, mainly because they feel they don’t have enough milk. However, what happens is that the baby is growing and wants more milk, but the mother has become accustomed to producing a certain amount that no longer satisfies the child. The solution is to breastfeed more. In this way, milk production will increase and the balance between supply and demand will be restored.

Lactation itself is a kind of protection against pregnancy, but it is far from 100% safe. Therefore, it is important for parents to use an alternative contraceptive during this stage, one that adapts to the physical needs and family rhythm. According to the WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for the use of contraceptives, combined hormones are contraindicated during breastfeeding. It is essential to talk to a doctor to find the safest method.

Breastfeeding must be exclusive during the first 6 months of the baby’s life. WHO recommends that from that age other foods be offered as a complement. In general, it is recommended to give 2 to 3 times a day between 6 and 8 months of age and 3 times a day between 9 and 11 months.

The Association for the Promotion and Scientific and Cultural Research of Breastfeeding (APILAM) recommends a list of foods for the breastfeeding period. The diet should be balanced and healthy and includes all food groups. We recommend this article to learn about other important foods during this stage of a woman’s life.

What is your opinion on breastfeeding? How can we support this practice? Share your opinion in the comments.