IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING

 Importance of breastfeeding for your baby

• Breast milk is a complete food for your baby. 
• It is a living fluid, constantly changing according to your baby’s needs, and 
• Packed full of nutrients and antibodies to boost your baby’s immune system.

Importance of breastfeeding for you

• Breastfeeding may assist the bonding and attachment between mothers and babies.
• Breastfeeding promotes faster maternal recovery from childbirth, and women who have breastfed have reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancers later in life.
• May assist mothers to lose weight after baby’s birth.

Importance of breastfeeding for the family

• Breastfeeding is free, safe, convenient and environmentally friendly. No preparation required, ready anytime, anywhere.
• Risks of not breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding can help protect your baby against illness and diseases.
• Breastfeed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or cot death).

Importance of early uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact after birth for all babies

• Holding close after birth keeps babies warm and calm. Promotes bonding.
• Babies can hear their mother's heartbeat.
• Baby's heart and breathing is normalised.
• Necessary procedures and checks should wait until after the first feed.

How to recognise when baby is ready to attach to the breast for the first feed

• When a baby has skin-to-skin contact after birth there are nine observable newborn stages, happening in a specific order, that are instinctive for the baby. 
• Within each of these stages, there are a variety of actions the baby may demonstrate.
• These stages are the birth cry, relaxation, awakening, activity, rest, crawling, familiarization, sucking and final stage is sleep.
• No other food or drink to around the first 6 months

 WHO, UNICEF RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
• Exclusive breastfeeding to around 6 months of age.
• Exclusively breastfed babies do not require additional fluids up to 6 months of age.
• Continue breastfeeding until 12 months of age and beyond, while introducing complementary (solid) foods at around 6 months of age. 
• First foods need to include iron-rich foods
• Getting breastfeeding off to a good start
• Breastfeeding problems are most often caused by baby not attaching well; ask for help when you are starting out.
• Positioning involves holding your baby close to you (chest to chest). Lying completely on you, with the baby's chin to the breast, with a wide open mouth.
• Effective attachment is recognized by no significant nipple pain.
• Babies are fed according to their needs in response to feeding cues / signs, as long and as often as baby requires.

Importance of rooming in

• Keeping your baby in the room with you, with beside you, day and night means: 
• You can cuddle your baby whenever you want
• Get to know your baby before you go home. 
• Breastfeed when your baby shows feeding signs.

Signs of baby is getting enough milk

• Anywhere from 8 to 12 feeds per 24 hours can be normal.
• The first week is different to any other time.
• 5 to 6 wet diapers each day after the first 5 days.
• Most breastfed babies will poo at least 3 to 4 times a day by the end of the first week, and poo will be yellow and runny.