7 Vital Steps for Success in Breastfeeding
In my column “ 7 Reasons Why Women Should Choose Breastfeeding”, I said that breastfeeding is a normal way to feed an infant and all alternatives are inferior. WHO and Government of India recommend that babies be breastfed within an hour of birth, provided skin to skin contact at birth, exclusively breastfed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding with adequate complementary feeding after 6 months to 2 years or beyond. I know when you have chosen to breastfeed, you may face several barriers to be successful and encourage you to demand the policy support and services you need to succeed. Here I briefly talk about 5 vital steps to achieve success right at the time of birth. You don’t want to miss it.
1. During pregnancy, gather all-important information about feeding your baby from a trusted source. This is the best way forward and perhaps the best timing to learn about it, think about feeding your newborn. Do not trust a commercial source for such information. Read about it and if you have questions, ask BPNI.(bpni@bpni.org).Reject the idea or advice to buy a feeding- bottle and formula during pregnancy unless you decide to go for it.
2. Understand the hormonal control of breastfeeding it is vital that you are aware of how breastmilk is produced and flows from breast to the baby. Two hormones control this process. Prolactin makes milk and is dependent on how much a baby suckles. Oxytocin makes the milk flow and is dependent on your state of mind and confidence. People may come and tell you that you don't have enough milk. It is important that you be confident which is key to success. You can learn about it on the website www.bpni.org
3. Make your decision and inform the hospital. This is vital to the success of breastfeeding. Let the hospital know your decision and ask for support services from the hospital where you plan to deliver so that they prepare themselves for much needed support and services. You must ask for skilled help by your side to support breastfeeding. Tell others in the family and friends about your decision and ask for support. In case you have chosen to feed the baby on artificial milks then only you ask the hospital to provide safe feeding methods as per WHO norms.
4. Insist on skin -to skin contact with the baby immediately after birth. This vital step ensures best possible emotional transfer to your baby, maintains her temperature and enables better breastfeeding.
5. Avoid Pre-lacteal feeds of any kind before breastfeeding. If you give your baby any food or drink before she begins to breastfeed, it can reduce her desire to breastfeeding and make her less hungry. Such foods may also cause harmful infections to your newborn baby.
6. Just ask for additional support if you deliver by Cesarean Section. You can be successful in breastfeeding your newborn even when you have a CS delivery. You need support right in the operation table and immediately after birth. Don’t use infant formula for your baby newborn baby unless it's medically indicated as per WHO guidelines.
7. Learn how to express your milk by hand. In case your baby is born low birth weight, she may need your support of supplying breastmilk by expression. Learning is easy by hand but it does involve a technique that you can easily understand.
The nine months of pregnancy is the right time to start thinking about how to feed a baby These 7 vital steps are a good start to be successful in breastfeeding.
Dr. Arun Gupta MD FIAP
Central coordinator
Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI)
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