Breast-feeding your newborn need not give you headache

For the average new mom who desires to breastfeed her newborn, how to make enough breastmilk is the ultimate goal.

Despite what many might think is no big deal, a research published in peer-reviewed journal,Paediatric Study, reveals that as many as 92 percent of first-time mothers sometimes encounter challenges that may make it impossiblefor them to breastfeed their babies.

Apart from the struggle to ‘teach’ the baby how to correctly latch on to the breast, there are also concerns that a new mom may not be able to generate enough breast milk to feed her baby.

A Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. Abimbola Ogunnusi, says that ordinarily, nearly all women are capable of making adequate breast milk to meet their baby’s needs.

Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Dominic Emeka,however says that certain circumstances may make it hard for women to lactate enough milk to feed their newborns.

He explains that sometimes, the stress of delivery can make the breast milk to take time in coming; while stress and lack of good sleep may also affect how much breast milk a nursing mother makes.

He says there are many things that a new mom can do if she wants to lactate as necessary.

First, he says, is that many women make the mistake of latching the baby to only one breast more often than the other.

“When this happens regularly, the underused breast will gradually cease producing milk and it may dry up eventually.

“So, the best way is to switch breasts in-between feeding. When a baby slows down, just change him to the next breast. And, depending on how long the baby feeds, you can switch breasts twice, thus making your child to have a go at each breast twice at each feeding time.

“That way, both breasts will be stimulated to produce more milk,” Emeka counsels.

He advises nursing mothers to always examine their nipples. “This is because when nipples are sore, the mother willexperience pains when she breastfeeds.

“She may therefore want to avoid breastfeeding until the sore heals. Before she knows what, milk production will reduce,” the physician explains.

He also notes that the longer a child feeds on the breasts, the more they are stimulated to produce milk. He therefore urges new moms to feed their babies regularly.

He warns that in extreme cases where a new mom is not able to breastfeed, she should see the doctor.

“This is because it may be a manifestation of larger health problems such as a hormonal disorder, low or high thyroid level, past breast injury, or due to too much blood loss during or after delivery.

“All these should be brought to the notice of the physician,” Emeka warns.

Ogunnusi adds that if there is still a fragment of placenta that didn’t come out after delivery, it may prevent the production of breast milk; and the situation may remain so until it is expelled.

Again, experts say, certain medicines, such as the combined contraceptive pill, or a cold remedy that contains a decongestant like pseudoephedrine, can lead to cessation of lactation.

Ogunnusisays what you eat has a big impact on the quality and quantity of the breast milk.

Nutritionists counsel nursing moms to drink water regularly, as this helps in preventing dehydration, thus helping in making lactation easy.

According to Consultant Nutritionist, Dr. Tobi Lawrence, a nursing mother’s nutrition would determine how much milk she produces, and the quality.

He advises that new moms eat diets that will not only nurse them back to health, but which will also enable them to produce enough milk to meet their babies’ demands.

He counsels that eating foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates such as rice, whole-grain pasta and bread, beans and our regular carbohydrate foods such as amala, eba, fufu and such like are healthy when eaten moderately and with vegetable soups.

He adds that a food like Quaker oats is also good for building and maintaining milk supply.

Again, he says, fruits and vegetables are indispensable, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

“Beta-carotene-rich vegetables such as carrotsalso improve milk production because of their iron contents,” the nutritionist says.

He also urges new moms to feast on nuts such as cashews because they enhance milk production.

Good old garlic also makes the list. It can be used to spice foods, whether cooked or in raw form. Experts say it has milk-boosting components that nursing mothers will find beneficial.

Finally, getting enough sleep will douse tension and reduce stress. Experts advice getting as much nightly sleep as possible, while also taking naps during the day when the baby is sleeping.

The bottom line: If you have problems with lactation, see the doctor.

PUNCH.