Check out the secrets of breastfeeding success through the detailed guidance of pediatric specialists during the first 12 months of your baby's life.
For those who are first-time mothers and most of their child-feeding experience is very little, breastfeeding is indeed not an easy thing. How to get a lot of milk to breastfeed from the first few weeks? What is the best way to suck and store breast milk? Babies suckle a little or even while sleeping at the same time, etc. All these problems will be addressed in detail in the article below. Mother let's learn and apply right away to your breastfeeding journey.
January: You need to know how to latch on properly
Correct latch is the key and most important thing in the first few days of breastfeeding. Only when the baby is attached to the right joint will the baby be able to eat as much milk as he needs and will not experience choking or suckling forever without being full or even losing weight. The basic steps to getting your baby to breastfeed correctly should be as follows:
Mom chooses a comfortable lying or sitting position, the baby is close to the mother (contact skin as possible).
Bring the top of the nipple to the baby's upper lip, if the baby is ready to suck, the baby will open his mouth wide (her tongue sticks out in front).
One mother's hand supports the baby's neck, let the baby's head comfortably lie down, his chin rested on the mother's breast (lower part).
The other hand forms the letter C, the thumb gently presses the top to point the tip of the nipple above the baby's upper lip.
Place your baby's lower lip on the lower edge of the areola (about 1.5cm from the nipple) so the baby starts to latch on from the lower lip.
The tip of the nipple passes through the upper lip into the baby's mouth, and the baby will automatically suck in deep and firmly.
Mom should note that, if the baby latches on the breast correctly, the sound of swallowing milk will be very clear. At the same time when the baby is sucking, the mother will not see the nipple, but only the outer part of the areola.
February: Learn about the mother's milk supply - the secret to breastfeeding
In addition, mothers need combination based on observing the following signs:
Children gain weight steadily
The number of pooping and pooping times is consistent with the child's age
Baby skin ruddy
Children sleep well, seamlessly, less fussy and crying
March: The secret to pumping breast milk for your baby
Most mothers will get 6 months off at home to support their children. Even so, some mothers have to return to work at this time. If you plan on continuing to breastfeed and need to pump at work or even while you are at home but still want to be more proactive about breastfeeding, learning how to pump is essential.
Suggestions for mom is that you can rent or buy a twin breast pump (which saves a lot of effort and time compared to a single machine). Also the rules for successful breastfeeding that mothers should keep in mind are:
Pump on a regular schedule
Always drink water or liquids 15-20 minutes before pumping
Breast massage to bring in plentiful milk
Relax your mind, think about the image of breastfeeding for more milk
April: Ensuring a safe source of breast milk is the secret to effective breastfeeding
Maternal diet and activities will largely affect the quality of breast milk. In modern breastfeeding, you do not need to abstain as harshly as the old traditional mothers. However, this does not mean that a mother can comfortably eat or drink anything while breastfeeding.
To ensure safety and your baby get the best nutrition from breast milk, you need to pay attention to avoid harmful foods and drinks as follows:
Alcoholic beverages such as alcohol and beer
Raw, raw food
Food is too sour, fermented such as spring rolls, pickles and pickles
The foods are processed too much spices such as sugar, grease, chili, ...
May: Balance between breastfeeding and baby's sleep
By the fifth month, you may feel exhausted and count down the days until your baby is able to sleep through the night. But you should note that "sleep through the night" at this age means that children can sleep continuously 4-6 hours / sleep (not 9-10 hours as older children). Children 5 months old can completely sleep if you know how to practice really.
Many times mothers think that babies who breastfeed get hungry faster than babies who eat formula, so they will feed their babies at any time when they ask for them. But children 5 months and older are not completely like that. Sometimes I wake up out of habit of needing more nipples than from real hunger.
Therefore, mothers can gradually practice stretching meals for babies. Cut back on meals until your baby sleeps longer and doesn't fuss just because she wants to be suckled by her mother. Your baby can get a longer night's sleep, without snacking will be a good foundation for starting to start weaning in his 6th month.
June: Introduced weaning food
Even though your baby is ready to try weaning foods, that doesn't mean you should give up breastfeeding. Breast milk is still the most important part of a baby's diet at this age. So make sure your baby gets enough milk during the first month of solids.
Children 6 months still need to maintain 800-1200ml of milk / day and 1 snack. Baby snacks should start with finely ground and finely ground cereals, gradually adding fruits and vegetables and finally protein. The rule of weaning that mothers need to remember is to eat from a little to a lot, from liquid to thick, and gradually increase the hardness of the food. You should let your baby try each food until you are sure that your baby is not allergic to that food.
July: Breastfeeding and contraception
Not ready for the next pregnancy? Then mothers should be careful with the contraceptive method thanks to breastfeeding. Experts say that this way of contraception is not safe for women.
You can still get pregnant even while breastfeeding. Therefore, it is best to consult other ways such as taking oral contraceptives (consult your doctor for a contraceptive pill suitable for breastfeeding people), using condoms, insertion, ...
August: How to deal with blocked milk rays - the secret to breastfeeding your baby
Squeezing can be a very painful and dangerous problem for breastfeeding women. There are many causes of obstructive milk glands such as babies who are not breastfed at regular intervals, breastmilk comes in too much and the mother does not pump out, the mother is stressed, etc. If the mother has signs such as chest pain , fever, ... you need to see a doctor for appropriate treatment.
September: How when the baby likes to bite the nipple?
Your baby's little baby teeth this month can completely become so sharp that it hurts mom. When the baby shows signs of biting the baby, stop breastfeeding and remove the breast from the baby's mouth. Tell your baby, "You can't bite," and ask your baby to wait until the next feeding time. It sounds stern, but this is the right way to help your baby understand that he shouldn't.
October: The baby is no longer interested in breastfeeding
Your toddler baby may be distracted by the surroundings while breastfeeding. Noises, daylight, ... all can distract your baby and breastfeed in a great way because this is a time when your baby is very curious and excited about the world around. .
According to experts, this is completely normal at this age. Mothers can feel uncomfortable with this kind of baby food, but please do not mistake the baby is ready to wean. The trick for mothers is that mothers should breastfeed in a quiet room, pull the curtains off and place an eye-catching towel on the mother's shoulder so that the baby can watch while feeding.
November: Balance breast milk and weaning - the secret to breastfeeding your baby
Now your baby is discovering all new foods. Breast milk intake may be decreasing compared to the amount of weaning foods your baby receives. Babies still drink from 800-100ml of milk / day or less, but at least 4 meals / day is better.
December: Determine the right time to wean
When the baby turns 12 months, weaning will depend on both mother and baby. If your child is ready, respect his or her needs. Otherwise, there is no reason why mothers should not continue to breastfeed. A baby maintained from 12-24 months of age will help the baby get many great benefits such as enhanced resistance to the baby, faster recovery in case of illness, ... " When a baby drinks breast milk it also means that he or she will get all the immune benefits, "explained an expert.
So, mom, please be confident on your breastfeeding journey!
See more:
Experience choosing to buy a medela breast pump for mothers with diapers
Breastfed babies do not gain weight: reasons mothers need to know
Really spoiled the truth behind the story of thin breast milk and slow weight gain