Family Doctor 2008

pregnancy & newborn BREASTFEEDING The basics of breast milk Breastfeeding may take a little time and practice, but there are payoﬀs for you and baby. Here’s what you need to know about this important feeding option. By Marijke Vroomen-Durning, R.N. 2 kinds of milk at each feeding — foremilk, a liquid like skim milk that’s high in sugar and volume, and hindmilk, a source of fat and calories to help your infant grow. Because it’s similar to whole milk, hindmilk may be more satisfying. As your newborn grows, your milk composition will change to match new nutrient needs. Dealing with diﬃculties Some A diﬀerent route women can experience a few problems nursing. These can include: Sore nipples. They can often happen in the ﬁrst few days as the baby gets used to nursing. If your nipples become red or cracked, B reast milk may be the ideal form of nutrition for your baby, but not all women choose — or are able — to breastfeed. You shouldn’t feel bad or guilty about choosing formula for your infant. Infant formula has been carefully created to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. And don’t worry — formula feeding won’t get in the way of the loving bond you have with your baby. How do I actually nurse? Nursing is a perfect example of supply and demand. Usually, the more a baby nurses, the more milk is supplied. The trick is to get the supply started right away. That means feeding your baby on demand, which can be as often as every 2 hours for the ﬁrst few weeks. Nursing can seem awkward at ﬁrst. The most important thing to remember is to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible. After you’re comfortable, follow these steps: ● Hold your breast with your ﬁngers above and B reastfeeding is the best thing to do. At least that’s what everyone is probably telling you. But do you know why? There are beneﬁts for both of you. check how your baby is positioned. Warm compresses over the nipples may help. Engorged breasts. If your breast is too full of milk, it can be too hard for your baby to latch on. To relieve some pressure, you can express some milk with your hands or a breast pump before actually nursing. Warm cloths over the breast or hot showers can stimulate the ﬂow. Mastitis. This infection can develop when a milk duct becomes blocked. If your breast becomes red, hard or painful, call your doctor, but don’t stop nursing. Marijke Vroomen-Durning, R.N., is a registered nurse and health writer from Montreal, Canada. For baby, breast milk: ● Is easy to digest. ● Provides various nutrients, proteins and below the areola (the circle of darker skin around the nipple). ● Guide the nipple to the baby’s mouth. Gently antibodies for protection against infections and illnesses. ● Helps prevent allergies. rub the nipple on the baby’s lips until the mouth opens. Make sure the lips go around as much of the areola as possible, including the entire nipple, not just the tip. ● After your baby latches on, you may feel your For mom, breastfeeding: ● Causes your uterus to shrink back to pre-pregnancy size more quickly. ● Reduces the risk of developing ovarian and milk “drop.” It can be triggered by something as simple as your baby’s cry. This is known as the let-down reﬂex, the tingling sensation you get when the milk is ready to ﬂow. If you feel pain when your baby begins to suck, it may be because he or she didn’t latch on properly. Place your ﬁnger between your breast and your newborn’s mouth to break the suction. Then reposition the head so he or she can try again. If you return to the workplace, you can use a breast pump to maintain a supply of breast milk for your baby to have when you’re not there. Ask your doctor or a lactation consultant for advice on what type of pump would be right for you. breast cancer. ● Is free and always available. ● Does not require preparation in the middle of the night (or any other time). How do I start? The best time to begin nursing your baby is within an hour of his or her birth. At ﬁrst, your breasts will produce small amounts of colostrum, a thick ﬂuid that doesn’t look like milk. But it’s rich in antibodies and protein — exactly what your baby needs for his or her ﬁrst brush with the world. As time goes on, you’ll produce 114 familydoctor 2008 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION © WWW.123RF.COM American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org/019.xml La Leche League http://www.llli.org National Women’s Health Information Center http://www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding http://familydoctor.org/019.xml http://www.llli.org http://www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Family Doctor 2008

Family Doctor 2008 Foreward Introduction Contents What Do You Want From Health Care? Confident Communication Need a New Doctor? Understanding Your Health Insurance OTC Safety as Simple as 1-2-3 The Fight Against Resistance Drug Interactions Prevention is Better than Cure Hitting a Home Run 'The Herbalist Will See You Now' Healthy Eating to Boost Your Heart and Health Exercise: The Elixir of Life Back from the Brink Taking Control Up All Night Vitamins and Minerals 101 Allergies: Combating the Causes Protect Yourself From Colds and the Flu Diabetes: Assessing Your Risk Dealing with Diabetes The Cholesterol Count Getting a Grip on Hypertension Facts About CKD Banish the Burn Easing the Pain Stop the Pounding Urinary Tract Infections: Common and Preventable Skin Essentials The ABCs of COPD Impotence: Tackling the Old Taboo Taking Responsibility for Your Health Prostate Cancer Screening: Is it For You? Protecting Your Prostate Heart Disease and Women: Know the Risks Birth Control to Suit You Maneuvering Through Menopause Help for PMS Infertility: Problems Having a Baby Preventive Health: What Women Need to Know Pregnancy: Taking Care of You and Your Baby Eating for Two Postpartum Mood Disorders The Basics of Breast Milk Newborn Screening Tests: Possible Lifesavers Common Newborn Conditions Childhood Vaccines: Why They're Necessary Food Allergies: The Facts Facing Your Acne Raising Grades Staying On Your Feet Age Gracefully: Take Care of Your Bones Battling Osteoarthritis Tackling Anxiety Beating the Blues

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