36 things you might not know about breastfeeding

By Christina Ching and Lucy Dimbylow 

We all know that breast is best, but there’s a lot more to nursing your baby than just the health benefits.
 
1 Nursing your baby protects him from flu pandemics, asthma, ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, childhood diabetes, chest infections, infantile meningitis, urine infections, eczema and obesity. Impressive, eh? 

2 Breastfeeding helps protect you from ovarian cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis. 

3 The World Health Organisation recommends that mothers breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months, and continue nursing until two years and beyond. Go for this gold standard! 

4 Breastmilk is so ideally tailored to your little one’s needs that there’s very little waste ? some babies go seven to 10 days between poops! 

5 The consistency of your milk changes throughout each feed ? it’s thin and watery at first, then, once your baby’s thirst is quenched, it becomes thick, creamy
and full of calories and nutrients. 

6 You won’t need to clean your nipples before your offer your breasts as your baby needs the natural bacteria present on your skin to keep her gut healthy. Your nipples also secrete a natural lubricant to keep them moisturised. 

7 Breastfeeding for just one month has health benefits for the first 14 years of your child’s life. 

8 Women who were breastfed themselves are more likely to breastfeed their own babies. Support from your parents go a long way! 

9 Worried about feeding your baby in public? Invest in a nursing shawl and you can feed anytime, anywhere. If you prefer to be more discreet, check out nursing rooms where you can breastfeed in privacy and comfort. 

10 Worldwide, 90 per cent of mothers at least attempt to breastfeed. 

11 If you’re under the weather, continue to breastfeed. Your body will produce antibodies to fight any bug, and these are passed to your baby through your milk, so he’s less likely to catch the same illness. 

12 Avoid alcohol since it can cause drowsiness, weakness, poor growth and abnormal weight gain in infants. But taking small amounts, such as a tablespoonful of DOM Benedictine (a sweet liqueur) a day, or chicken cooked in 30 to 50ml of wine as part of a meal, is safe. 

13 Don’t panic if your newborn feeds constantly for the first few weeks ? he’s stimulating your milk supply. The more he feeds, the more you’ll make. 

14 Breastfed babies are brainier. Several studies have shown that feeding for three months or more increases your little Einstein’s IQ. 

15 Oats are known to boost your milk supply, as will papaya and fish soup. Also, drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day. 

16 In Scotland, it’s illegal to stop mums from breastfeeding in public places. 

17 Nursing while lying down stimulates 17 natural feeding reflexes in your baby, compared to three if you feed sitting up. 

18 Foods you eat flavour your breastmilk, so you’re helping to develop your little gourmet’s palate long before he tries his first solids. In fact, babies seem to prefer a variety of flavour in their milk. 

19 If you breastfeed for a year, you’ll save around $1,400 on formula milk. That’s a lot of cash! 

20 Breastfeeding will give your baby a beautiful smile. Italian research shows that breastfed bambinos were less likely to have wonky teeth than bottlefed babies, even if they sucked their thumbs or a pacifier. 

21 Breastfed newborns are often jaundiced (with yellowish skin and eyeballs) for up to three months, peaking at between 10 and 21 days old. No one knows what the cause is, but it’s not harmful, nor a sign that you should stop breastfeeding. 

22 Breastfeeding can act as a painkiller for your baby, because it releases natural endorphins into his system. 

23 Breastfed babies gain weight more slowly than formula-fed tots, and that’s normal. 

24 Women who express breastmilk for their babies take less time off work to care for them than those who offer their children formula milk. 

25 The world record for simultaneous breastfeeding was set in the Philippines in 2006 - at least 3,738 mums turned up to nurse their babies together in Manila. In Singapore, the record was set in 2007 when 151 mothers breastfed their infants at the same time. 

26 World Breastfeeding Week 2009 was celebrated from 1 to 7 August, featuring the theme, “Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response.” Activities include the launch of a virtual portal for nursing mums, as well as a synchronised breastfeeding event by the Breastfeeding Mothers Support Group, with the focus on family support. 

27 Your breastmilk is plentiful and diluted in the morning. It takes on a richer and thicker consistency in the afternoon and evening. Your breastmilk also changes according to your baby’s nutritional needs, appetite and even the weather. On hot days, your milk is thinner and more thirst-quenching. 

28 Breastfeeding uses at least 500 calories a day, so you can eat more than usual and still shed your pregnancy weight! 

29 Babies whose mums eat garlic tend to breastfeed for longer - bring it on, Vampire Slayer! 

30 Oxytocin - the same hormone released during breastfeeding as orgasms - induces a feeling of well-being and promotes bonding. 

31 Breastfeeding can be as good a contraceptive as the pill, provided you’re doing it exclusively (no bottles, solids, water or pacifiers), at regular intervals day and night, and your periods haven’t returned. It’s around 99 per cent effective in the first six months. But unless you’d be happy with a surprise pregnancy, we’d suggest using back-up measures as well. 

32 Breastfed babies have far less noxious diapers. It’s a fact. Wonderful! 

33 Breastfed babies pause while you talk and replying by sucking. Experts believe this forms the basis of speech. 

34 In Africa, mums breastfeed for an average of 16 to 28 months. 

35 When you feed at night, the milk-making hormone prolactin has a calming effect to help you get back to sleep quickly. 

36 In 2003, an American woman was arrested for breastfeeding while driving at 100 kilometres per hour on the motorway. Don’t try this, folks!

If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg 

- Mother & Baby
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