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Breasfeed With Confidence
Our simple guide to breastfeeding with confidence
By Christina Ching
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as not being able to feed your own baby. Follow our guide to give yourself the best chance of succeeding:
1. BE PREPARED
Arm yourself with as much information as you can while you’re pregnant. The Health Promotion Board asserts that it is important for mums-to-be to receive credible information and advice about breastfeeding, since infant feeding decisions are often made prior to delivery and do influence the initiation and duration of nursing.
Prepare yourself well for what lies ahead - read books, go online, talk to friends who’ve breastfed, and attend antenatal classes. It’s vital to be aware of what will help get your breastfeeding efforts off to a flying start - from positioning and how to latch baby on, to what to expect and whom to contact if you run into a roadblock.
Above all, make sure you recognise the signs that your nursing efforts are paying off. “Your baby is getting enough milk if, after the first three days, she is producing six to eight wet diapers a day,” Wong points out. “She’ll also feel contented and settle in after a feed.”
Other signs of a well-fed baby are bright eyes, a wet tongue and mouth, and firm thighs. If you suspect that your milk supply isn’t up to scratch, seek professional help as soon as possible.
Do take note of breastfeeding helplines, so you know where to seek help should you encounter problems. “Common breastfeeding problems such as latching difficulties, breast engorgement, sore nipples, frequent feeding and low milk supply, can be resolved with professional help,” Pang notes.
Don’t forget that breastfeeding support groups, which offer a wealth of resources, can also help you feel more at ease with nursing. They even provide useful tips, from where to find the best-equipped shopping mall nursing rooms, to what’s the most efficient breast pump on the market.
2. ACT FAST
Make sure to have skin-to-skin contact soon after delivery - it’s been shown to have positive effects on the outcome of breastfeeding. Aim to breastfeed your baby within the first two hours of giving birth, Wong advises, as this is when your baby is most alert (and awake!), and her sucking reflex is strongest.
Need information, advice or help on breastfeeding -Check these out.
• Breastfeeding Mothers Support Group (Singapore) Call 6339-3558, e-mail counselling@breastfeeding.org.sg, or visit www.breastfeeding.org.sg.
• Family Life Society Joyful Parenting and Breastfeeding Hotline Call 6488-0286.
• Hospitals’ Parentcraft Centres have lactation consultants who can help you. Try Thomson Medical Centre (call 9119-3502 or 6251-4090), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (call 6394-8232), Mount Alvernia Hospital (call 9839-9477 or 6347-6641) or Mount Elizabeth Hospital (call 6731-2180/82).
• Private lactation consultants Call Betty Lee at 9833-0170 or Christina Kwek at 9367-9293. |
3. SEEK HELP
Make sure to get help if you encounter problems - most setbacks can be sorted out with skilled support. Don’t be shy to ask for help in the maternity ward, get the nurses to demonstrate (repeatedly, if necessary!) correct positions, or ask to see a lactation consultant if you have any questions. Talking to a friend who has breastfed also helps.
If you can’t solve your problem on your own, contact a lactation consultant. Don’t wait until it’s too late, as minor problems can quickly escalate and spell the end of breastfeeding. Wong warns that nursing problems are often a vicious circle. For instance, if a baby doesn’t latch on well, the mother develops sore nipples and feeds her baby less, or starts mixing formula with breastmilk. The result: Her breastmilk supply drops, leading to insufficient breastmilk for her baby.
To prevent this from happening to you, seek help early and press on. “I’ve seen many mums who were having problems initially, but with time, help and support, they managed to breastfeed successfully,” Pang notes.
4. HAVE FAITH
Above all, believe in yourself. Mums often doubt their ability to breastfeed, maybe because it did not go well previously, or if they hear from other mums who did not succeed.
“Be patient and persevere as you adjust and learn to cope with the demands of breastfeeding,” Pang advises. Always remember, most problems can be resolved with the timely help and information. Indeed, with the right advice, there’s nothing to stop you from breastfeeding for as long as you wish!
“Ultimately, it’s about discovering what works best for you,” says Angeline Sng, mum to Oliver, 6 months, and Tomas, 3. “Read up, seek advice, and try it for yourself - you will find something that best suits you and your baby.”
TREASURE CHEST
Five fab facts about breastfeeding.
1. Perfect formula In the first few days, you’ll produce colostrum, a creamy liquid packed with protein, water, sugar, vitamins, minerals and antibodies. When your milk comes in, your baby gets two types of milk at each feed. Watery and thirst-quenching fore milk is low in fat and high in lactose, sugar, protein, vitamins and minerals. Hind milk, which is thicker, is high in fat and growth-boosting calories.
2. On tap It’s free and always at the right temperature. Just invest in some good nursing tops and bras, washable breast pads to contain leaks, a nursing bib for feeding outdoors, and muslin cloths to protect your clothes from spit-ups.
3. Ties that bind You’ll love the close contact and enjoy bonding with your baby.
4. Beat the bulge Hormones released during breastfeeding help your uterus shrink back to its normal size. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
5. Spot-on Your aerola becomes larger and darker when you’re pregnant. It’s thought that this will guide your baby to where she needs to aim for to get her nourishment!
SWEET RELIEF
Your breastfeeding banes - solved!
• Sore nipples are caused by incorrect positioning and improper latching, notes senior lactation consultant Wong Boh Boi. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s normal. See a lactation consultant - she’ll help you position your baby correctly and get her to latch on properly. Continue to nurse, giving the good side first before offering the sore side, Wong suggests. Air the sore nipple and smear a little of your own breastmilk on it to help it heal faster, she notes. You may also want to use a nipple cream and wear breast shells to relieve the soreness. “Wear nipple shields as a temporary and last resort so you can nurse your baby without causing further pain to your nipples.”
• Engorgement happens when your breasts are overfull, swollen and taut, hot, tender and achy. You may feel it most when your milk comes in and peaks, typically on the fourth day. Your baby may find it hard to latch on when your boobs are so full and hard. To prevent engorgement, “feed, feed and feed your baby,” Wong stresses. Relieve the discomfort by gently expressing your breastmilk, covering your boobs with a hot towel or simply taking a warm shower, Wong adds. Tucking chilled cabbage leaves inside your bra works wonders if you’re experiencing severe engorgement - strange, but true!
• Blocked ducts cause hard, painful lumps which, if left untreated, can lead to mastitis (an infection of the milk ducts). It happens when your breasts are not well-drained. Empty your breasts by nursing more often, or expressing to clear the plugged duct, Wong advises. Try feeding your baby on the affected side first, with his chin nearest the lump - his sucking power will help clear the blockage. Try massaging your breast towards the nipple while you feed and when you’re having a warm shower. See a doctor if you have a high temperature or your breasts become more painful. The blocked duct may have become infected, and you may need antibiotics.
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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