Breast Feeding Guide (part 2) : Breasts structural changes

Earlier in the blog posts, we have discussed some topics about breast feeding that concerns young moms. These include simple questions like how to breast feed the baby and when should it be done. I am writing the second part of the topic on Breast feeding guide and we will discuss topics which may have caused some hesitations to women to breast feed like the questions on body structure, the urgency of breast feeding while in public places and related topics.

Breasts structural changes

Breast Firmness

Many women hesitate on breast feeding their babies especially when they are greatly concerned on the breast structure. This may have been a result of their fear that breast feeding can make the breasts sag and less firm. On the contrary, firmness of the breast is affected by the changes that happened during pregnancy as effect of the hormones that are in high concentrations during pregnancy. This means that the factors that cause the change are rather internal than the skin outside.

Inverted Nipples

Women who have inverted nipples can have problems on breast feeding their youngs. While this may be a great dilemma of the past, there are various solutions that can be applied to solve the problem.

A breast pump can be used to relieve nipple inversion and is often successful. Alternatively, dedicated devices like the ‘Nipple enhancer’ can be used to achieve that.

Breast feeding in urgency

You would not know when the baby is hungry until he complains. This can be a problem especially when you are in public places. While bottle feeding can be an alternative, this is not advisable. In some department stores, there are some locations allotted to serve this need.

These are some topics on breast feeding that concerns the body structure. If you aim for the good health of the child, you should be able to breast feed the baby exclusively for 6 months whenever possible.

Read more about pregnancy and childbirth and let us aim for the better health of the child and the mother.

Breast feeding guide

Breast feeding can be one of the most challenging experiences for new mothers. Aside from the fact that this can be the first-time experience, this can also be awkward for some, while others may worry changes in breast shapes, or may doubt if they can supply the milk needed by their baby. In this topic, we will discuss some taboos, and FAQs that will clear all doubts and questions of the start of motherhood.

When should breast feeding be introduced?

The body does not produce milk while pregnant. When the baby is delivered, the breasts can already be sucked to feed the baby. It is suggested that suckling should be introduced to the child in the soonest time possible. Shortly after delivery, the breasts produce a protein-rich fluid called colostrum. The baby can be put on the breast within minutes or hours of delivery and can feed on this.

When will you know that you need to breast feed the baby?

Like adults, the baby has the natural instinct to complain when he is hungry. the doubt of overfeeding should never be thought of as babies will not suck milk when they are not hungry.

Which breast should the baby feed on?

Suggestedly, breast feeding should be done alternately. However, the mother should ensure that the breast is emptied before she switches the child to another breasts. This is because there are differences on the fore-milk and the hind-milk. The fore-milk is rich in protein and water, while the hind-milk is rich in fat. Moving the baby from one breast to the other before one is empty means he or she is likely to miss out on the fat-rich hind-milk which is so crucial at this stage of life. Complete emptying is also important in maintaining lactation. Incomplete emptying has a long-term effect of reducing the amount of milk produced.

to be continued...