Breastfeeding: A natural way to prevent pregnancy.

Benefits of Breastfeeding!

Stay Healthy: Moms who breastfeed might get sick less often from some big illnesses like certain cancers, diabetes, and heart problems.Heal Faster After Birth: When moms breastfeed, their body makes a special helper (oxytocin) that helps them heal faster after giving birth.Feel Closer to Baby: Breastfeeding fosters an unparalleled bond, making those tender moments between mom and baby even more special.Boost Immune System: The act of breastfeeding can help strengthen the mother's immune system, making her less susceptible to certain illnesses.Natural Birth Control: Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation, acting as a form of natural birth control in the initial months postpartum.Source:-https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15274-benefits-of-breastfeeding

Why No Artificial Feed for my baby!

Every mother wants to ensure best health and nutrition for her child. Some mothers feel that breastfeeding is a tedious job. Hence, they plan to start artificial milk aiming it to be as healthy as breastmilk.Will Artificial milk fed baby be as healthy as Breastmilk fed baby? No.Why so?1. Artificial milk fed baby is more likely to become ill with diarrhoea or other infections.2. Artificial milk preparation needs a lot of time, whereas breastmilk is always available.3. Child gets less balanced nutrients/ too little milk/ too diluted milk and may suffer from nutritional deficiencies.4. Child may get over fed and become obese.5. Artificial milk is not easy to digest for the baby.6. Child may not develop so well mentally and may score lower on Intelligence Quotient.Therefore, it is recommended that a child should not be fed with artificial milk. Only breastmilk for first 6 months and home cooked food along with breastmilk from 6 months to 2 years of age ensures best health and nutrition for every child.Source:-1. Milk and Protein Intake by Pregnant Women Affects Growth of Foetus2. The potential of a simple egg to improve maternal and child nutritionDisclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.

5 foods for enhanced milk production

Mothers are mostly concerned about their ability to produce enough milk for their babies. This concern usually becomes a reason for mothers to terminate breastfeeding and opt for artificial feeding.What foods can help to increase breastmilk supply in breastfeeding mothers?Substances known as “Oral Galactagogues” stimulate milk production. Some of the herbal oral galactagogues that women can include in their diet are:1. Fenugreek (Methi seeds/ green leaves): Fenugreek seeds has esterogenic activity which is effective in breastmilk production. Fenugreek can be added in the diet in any form, even mothers can include fenugreek seeds tea during the day.2. Shatavari: Shatavari is loaded with folic acid, vitamins like A, C, and K, phytoestrogens and tryptophan; which enhances prolactin-producing cells leading to increased milk production.3. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha also known as Indian Ginseng acts as a galactagogue which enhances the nutritive value as well as the amount of milk production.4. Ajwain seeds: Ajwain seeds has a phytoestrogen content that increases milk production.5. Moringa leaves: Drumstick leaves are also known as Moringa leaves. Moringa leaves contain phytosterol compounds which have a lactogogum effect. Lactogogum stimulates the hormones prolactin which is responsible for milk production.These form of galactagogues are also available in the pharma form that is in powder or capsule forms. But it is always best to consume them fresh in their raw form and include them in some way or the other into the daily diet.Source:-1. Postpartum Use of Shavari Bar® Improves Breast Milk Output: A Double-Blind, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study2. Breastfeeding, the Benefits of Lactation for Nursing Mother's Healthalong with the Challenges Associated with Lactation and Use of Natural Milk Energizing Supplements3. Effect of Morinaga Leaves (Morinaga Oleifera) on Breast Milk Production in Post Partum MothersDisclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h…https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/

Back to work| How to continue breastfeeding| Expressed breastmilk!

Every mother wants to ensure best health and nutrition for her child. And breastfeeding for the first six months and continuing it to beyond 2 years is the best way to provide adequate nutrition to a child. Breastfeeding mothers returning to work easily feel overwhelmed.Be sure to exclusively breastfeed your child for the first 6 months. Do not think that I have to join work within next 5 to 6 weeks, so let me start the bottle feed now and get the child accustomed. Remember there is no need for a bottle at all. Even a small child can be fed with a cup.Tips that can help you breastfeed even when you are working:1. Keep your baby with you at the work place, if possible and feed throughout the day.2. If the work place is nearby, go home and breastfeed or ask someone to bring the baby to you so that you can breastfeed.3. If the workplace is far, look for some day care centers nearby where you can go and breastfeed.4. Continue to breastfeed at night, in the morning and anytime during the day when you are with the baby.5. If any of these is not possible, learn to express and store your milk so that the caregiver can feed your baby while you are away.How to express, store and feed breastmilk?1. Leave yourself enough time to express your breastmilk in a relaxed manner. You may need to wake up a little early.2. Express as much breastmilk as possible, into a very clean cup or jar. 1 cup (200 ml) breastmilk can give a baby 3 feeds. Plan and express the amount as per the duration that you will be away from your child.3. Cover the cup of expressed breastmilk with a clean plate and leave the milk in the coolest place, maybe in a refrigerator.4. Inform the caregiver not to boil or reheat the breastmilk before feeding the baby. Also, make your caregiver learn how to feed the baby this expressed breastmilk using a cup, and not use a bottle.Expressed breastmilk has anti-infective properties which helps it to stay in good condition longer than the cow’s milk. Germs do not start growing in expressed breastmilk for at least 8 hours, even outside the refrigerator and for 24hrs inside the refrigerator. It is safe to give to the baby throughout one working day.It is always nutritious, healthy and safe to feed your child with breastmilk rather than any artificial milks.Source:-https://www.unicef.org/parenting/food-nutrition/breastfeeding-workplace#:~:text=At work%2C try to express, with frozen gel%2Fice packs.Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h...https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/

Duration of each feed. How many minutes it takes per feed.

Importance of Breastfeeding:Breastfeeding is the most effective way to ensure optimal development for a newborn.Mother's Concerns:Mothers often worry if their baby is getting enough milk, as there is no bottle to measure the amount.Duration of Breastfeeding:Mothers frequently ask, "How long should each breastfeeding session last?"The duration of each breastfeeding session varies for every baby.Difference Between Sucking for Comfort and Breastfeeding:It is important for mothers to understand the difference between 'sucking for comfort' and 'breastfeeding.'Sometimes, babies suckle just for comfort, which should not be confused with actual breastfeeding duration.Variation in Breastfeeding Duration:Some babies fulfill their needs in 5 to 10 minutes, while others may take longer.Let the baby determine the duration of each feeding session.Attention to Unusual Duration:If breastfeeding sessions are very short (perhaps less than 4 minutes) or very long (perhaps more than 30 minutes), consult a lactation advisor.Low birth weight babies or newborns might take longer to finish their feeds.Source:-https://www.dropbox.com/preview/Sri Lanka national training/Trg Guide 2016.pdf?context=content_suggestions&role=personal

Diet during breastfeeding| Nutritious Breast milk|

Pregnancy and are breastfeeding significant phases in a woman's life, requiring special attention to nutrition. During these periods, nutritional needs increase, but unfortunately, more focus is often placed on diet during pregnancy than breastfeeding. It's important for breastfeeding mothers to prioritize their health, as their dietary intake directly affects their baby's nutrition.Suggested Read: Benefits of Breastfeeding!Key Nutritional Requirements:EnergySources: Cereals (wheat, rice, millets, bread, oats), oils, and fats.ProteinsSources: Milk, dairy products, fish, meat, poultry, pulses, and nuts.Vitamins and MineralsSources: Seasonal fruits and vegetables.Important Nutrients and TipsCalciumImportance: Needed to maintain calcium levels in breast milk.Sources: Milk, dairy products, gingelly (til) seeds, green leafy vegetables like mustard greens, and broccoli.FluidsImportance: Prevents dehydration and supports milk production.Tip: Drink a glass of liquid (milk, water, juice) each time you breastfeed.Caffeinated BeveragesTip: Limit to no more than 2 cups per day of tea, coffee, or cola.AlcoholAdvice: Avoid alcohol, as it can pass into breast milk and reach the baby.Maintaining a balanced diet with these nutrients is essential for the health of both mother and baby during breastfeeding. Prioritizing your health ensures that you can provide the best nutrition for your little one."Eat healthy, stay healthy: with your healthy little one."Source:-1. https://www.nipccd.nic.in/file/elearn/faq/fq19.pdf2. https://www.nin.res.in/downloads/DietaryGuidelinesforNINwebsite.pdf

What should I feed my child for first six months?

Breastfeeding a child is one of the most effective ways to ensure healthy growth and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends initiating breastfeeding within half an hour of birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding along with additional foods and liquids until the age of two years.What is Exclusive Breastfeeding?Exclusive breastfeeding means giving a baby only breastmilk and no other food or liquid, not even water, with the exception of syrups or drops prescribed by a doctor.Is Breastmilk Sufficient Until Six Months of Age?Many mothers have concerns about whether breastmilk alone is sufficient for their baby's growth and development during the first six months. The answer is "YES".Concerns and Answers:Is only breastmilk sufficient for proper growth and development?Yes, breastmilk contains all the necessary nutrients for an infant up to six months of age.Does my child need water in hot weather?No, breastmilk contains enough water to keep a baby hydrated even in very hot and dry climates.Will my child get all the nutrients just from breastmilk?Yes, breastmilk provides all essential nutrients needed for an infant's growth and development.Additional Benefits of Breastfeeding:Immunity: Breastmilk contains properties that help build the child's immune system.Digestibility: It is easily digested by infants.Brain Development: Breastfeeding enhances brain development, leading to higher IQ levels.Breastfeeding provides comprehensive nourishment and numerous benefits for a baby's development and health.Source:-IYCF Trainers guide 2016, MOHFW https://nhm.gov.in/New_Updates_2018/NHM_Components/RMNCHA/CH/Schemes/Maa/TRAINERS'_GUIDE_FINAL_Web.pdf

Breastfeeding: A natural way to prevent pregnancy.

Breastfeeding is known to be one of the most natural method of contraception which means that a mother who is breastfeeding cannot get pregnant again. This contraceptive method is also well known as Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) for women to maintain a natural gap in between child births.What does breastfeeding do?When the child suckles on the breast, this suckling sends some signals to the brain that slow down the hormones needed for ovulation. What happens here is - suckling releases endorphins which block other hormones that trigger ovulation. And hence, this acts as a contraceptive.Till how long breastfeeding acts as a contraceptive?Breastfeeding works as a contraceptive only under these simultaneous conditions:The baby is less than 6 months oldThe mother is still amenorrheic (not menstruating)The mother practices exclusive on demand breastfeeding day and night.This is the most natural way of contraception and as under this method any kind of chemicals or medicines are not required. So, it has no potential health risk. It is also free of cost and does not require any doctor’s appointment or procedures.