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5 questions all new mums must ask about breastfeeding

2 Nov, 2017

Breastfeeding is a best thing you will do for your newborn. But what should you know about it? Read on to find out.

5 questions all new mums must ask about breastfeeding

5 questions all new mums must ask about breastfeeding

You may already know that breast milk is considered to be the best nutritional food source for infants.

In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as UNICEF recommend that "breastfeeding should commence within one hour of the child’s birth, it should be administered during the first six months of the child’s life and should ideally continue till the age of two to ensure the healthy growth and development of the child apart from reducing the rate of child mortality."

But while all these statistics and technical information sounds important, what are some of the basic things new mothers must know about breastfeeding?

We at theindusparent spoke to Dr Raghuram Mallaiah, Director, Neonatology, Fortis La Femme, Delhi, to get the answers.

Click 'Start Gallery' to read on.

Why is breastfeeding important?

Why is breastfeeding important?

Breastfeeding is important because breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby fight off viruses and bacteria.

"Breastfeeding also lowers the baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies. Additionally, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses and bouts of diarrhoea. In fact, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months of age," advises Dr Mallaiah.

If you are breastfeeding for the first time, know that there are four doctor-recommended postures that can help your baby latch on quickly and make the process pain free for you. Read here to know more about these breastfeeding postures.

How long does one have to breastfeed for it to be beneficial?

How long does one have to breastfeed for it to be beneficial?

The longer one nurses (giving little or no formula), the more profound and long-lasting the benefits.

"The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for at least the rest of the first year, or longer if desired by mother and baby," shared Dr Mallaiah.

It's also important to note that babies feed on demand. So on an average a newborn can drink 45-90 milliliters of milk every two to three hours. After two months, the quantity increases to 120-150 milliliters and the feeding window increases to three to four hours. Read more about your breastfeeding chart here.

Why is breastfeeding better than formula feeding?

Why is breastfeeding better than formula feeding?

Dr Mallaiah shares, "Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalisations than formula-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies and other germ-fighting factors pass from a mother to her baby and strengthen the immune system. This helps lower a baby's chances of getting any infections."

However, while breastfeeding is the best way to boost your baby’s immunity and keep him safe from diseases, sometimes mothers are unable to go the all-natural way. Alternatively, sometimes your baby may reject the breast. The next best option in such cases is to give them baby formula.

There are several types of formula available in the Indian market at the moment. You can chose from a powdered form, ready-to-use or a liquid concentrate as the formula. Read here to know more about the best baby formula available in India.

What are the nutrients found in breast milk?

What are the nutrients found in breast milk?

"Mother’s milk contains water, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes as well as white cells. Over the course of a feeding, breast milk changes from foremilk, high in water and lactose, to hind milk - high in fat and calories," notes Dr Mallaiah.

In fact, a study from the Department of Clinical Immunology in University of Göteborg, Switzerland reads, "Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease morbidity in gastroenteritis, septicemia, otitis media, urinary tract infection, encephalitis, pneumonia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The antibody content in the mother's milk probably contributes not only to the immediate but also to the long term protection of the infant including both resistance to infection and development of immunological tolerance to harmless environmental antigens."

What if I cannot breastfeed my baby?

What if I cannot breastfeed my baby?

Dr Mallaiah says, "There are a number of instances in which mothers who have delivered preterm babies are unable to breast feed their babies due to prematurity and stress of having a preterm baby. In these cases pasteurized donor milk is recommended as an essential alternative."

He also adds that it is an established fact that donor milk in these circumstances can be life saving and hugely protective from infections for these very preterm and low birth weight babies.

"The milk bank which provides pasteurised breast milk is the only hope for these vulnerable babies in our society," he further recommends.

Also read:Rujuta Diwekar recommends 9 desi super foods best suited for breastfeeding mums!

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Written by

Deepshikha Punj

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