Experts agree: breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for your baby. Breast milk's composition is perfectly matched to your baby's daily nutritional needs, and the antibodies passed on help protect your baby against infections and allergies. At Kabrita, we support the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life.
Benefits of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your little one. It's an ideal way to build a close bond with your baby - a bond that lasts long after, too. But most importantly, the nutrients and antibodies in breast milk are perfectly matched to your baby's needs. They keep evolving continuously, so your little one gets exactly what they need throughout the breastfeeding period.
Thanks to its unique composition, breast milk can offer protection against numerous conditions. It's packed with disease-fighting compounds that protect your baby well beyond the breastfeeding period. It also helps develop a protective lining in your baby's gut, making it harder for undigested proteins to leak through the intestinal wall and trigger an allergic reaction. Research suggests breast milk may help reduce the risk of obesity and support your child's cognitive development.
But choosing to breastfeed doesn't just benefit your baby - it has benefits for you as a mother too. Feeding your baby helps reduce stress, partly through the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps you relax. Research also points to a possibly reduced risk of certain cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer, in women who have breastfed. Finally, breastfeeding can also help you gradually lose the weight gained during pregnancy.
Tips for breastfeeding
Decided to breastfeed your baby? These tips can improve your chances of success:
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Learn about it before birth
Read books and articles, watch videos, and ask friends and family about their breastfeeding experiences. -
Consult medical professionals
Ask lactation consultants, nurses, and/or midwives for advice once you start breastfeeding. They're specially trained for this - make use of it. -
Set up the right conditions
Make sure you feel relaxed and comfortable while feeding. Choose a good chair, and use a cushion or armrest if needed to position your baby correctly, with their nose level with your nipple. -
Encourage latching
Stroke your baby's lips with your nipple to encourage them to open their mouth. Make sure their mouth opens wide and covers a good portion of the areola. -
Don't worry about the amount
Your breasts need time to develop and produce more milk. In the first few days, they produce colostrum, rich in nutrients and antibodies - exactly what your baby needs at that stage. -
Track your feeds
Note when you fed, how long it lasted, and which breast you finished on. This helps you keep track of your baby's progress. -
Help with burping
Gently pat your baby's back to encourage a burp. This releases trapped air and eases discomfort. -
Take good care of yourself
Breastfeeding is demanding - so look after yourself too. Eat regularly and nutritiously, and drink enough water and other fluids to avoid dehydration.
These tips will help you with the basics of breastfeeding. Keep in mind that it's often trickier than expected, and can hurt at times in the beginning. Various aids are available to help ease this discomfort, such as soothing creams and warm or cold compresses for sore nipples.
Useful links
The following links have useful information on breastfeeding:
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Breastfeeding