Many new mothers often wonder “How can a mother have milk quickly and enough?” Remember, mothers must do these 3 things… which are “Let the baby suck early, suck often, suck correctly or suck properly.”
Benefits of breast milk for the baby
- Contains complete nutrients in proportions suitable for the child’s needs
- Has immunity against infectious diseases; babies who receive breast milk are usually healthy
- Reduces the chance of allergies
- Reduces the chance of diabetes in children
- Reduces the risk of crowded teeth and tooth decay
- Helps maintain normal bowel movements, preventing constipation
- Helps enhance brain development, making the baby intelligent
- Psychological benefits: the baby receives warmth both physically and emotionally, which is the foundation for developing learning habits and adaptability
- Contains other beneficial substances for the body, such as growth regulators for organs and hormones
There are many benefits for mothers as well
- Helps the body return to its original shape faster
- The uterus contracts well, recovers quickly, expels lochia, and prevents postpartum hemorrhage
- Psychological benefits create love and bonding between mother and child
- Convenient because the baby can be fed anywhere and anytime
- Reduces anemia and lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer
Breast milk… is the best food for newborns because it contains complete nutrients in amounts suitable for the baby’s growth. It also has immunity to protect against certain illnesses in infants.
Breast milk in the first 2-3 days after birth is clear yellow and in small amounts, but it is nutritionally valuable and sufficient for newborns. It also helps expel meconium or the first stool from the baby’s body, preventing jaundice in newborns. Regular breast milk starts to be produced within 4-5 days after birth.
Mothers should let the baby suck immediately within half an hour after birth and should breastfeed every 2 hours or as the baby demands. During breastfeeding, holding and close contact will provide warmth both physically and emotionally, building a bond between mother and baby, which helps develop a gentle personality in the baby.
Mothers should exclusively breastfeed for 4-6 months before starting complementary foods. If possible, continue breastfeeding for as long as possible. When mothers go out to work, before leaving and upon returning home, they should breastfeed the baby. While at work, mothers should express milk into a clean bottle, seal it, and refrigerate it to warm and feed the baby at home.
Breastfeeding benefits mothers as well. While the baby suckles, the mother’s uterus contracts, helping it recover faster. The mother’s weight can decrease faster because fat is used to produce milk, especially fat from the hips and thighs. During breastfeeding, the mother’s body releases endorphins, which affect mood, making the mother feel calm and peaceful. Research also shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers in mothers.
“Mothers should not give mixed milk from bottles during breastfeeding because it can confuse the baby between the mother’s nipple and the bottle nipple, causing the baby to refuse breastfeeding since sucking from a bottle is easier than breastfeeding. Breastfeeding exercises the muscles on the face and jaw, which promotes good development, resulting in properly aligned teeth and helps train the baby to speak more clearly than babies who drink from bottles.”
