What does breast milk look like?
While the first thick milk that comes first, which we call “first milk” or “breast milk”, is more yellowish in color, mature milk is white and more watery than cow's milk, it may even be bluish in color. The color of the milk may change as the baby grows. This is because the content of the milk changes to meet the needs of the baby as it grows.
How does milk flow from the breast?
Milk is not released as soon as it is made in the breast, the baby needs to suck for milk to flow. For the baby to suck effectively, it is very important that the baby is well placed on the breast and grasps the breast well. As the baby sucks, milk flows out through 10-15 holes in the nipple. Both breasts work at the same time. While the baby is sucking from one breast, milk may drip from the other breast. When the baby starts to suck, it first takes the accumulated milk from the milk pools in the dark colored part just behind the nipple. This milk is released again as it runs out.
How is milk production maintained?
During breastfeeding, the baby's mouth compresses and crushes the colored part around the mother's nipple. The nerves stimulated by this pressure carry news to the area in the brain that is responsible for prolactin production. These messages become orders for prolactin secretion. The more messages are transmitted, the more prolactin is made.
Because of prolactin, “more sucking makes more milk”. Especially at night more prolactin is made. Prolactin also ensures that the mother is not tired even if she wakes up at night to breastfeed her baby. Remember, the more often you breastfeed, the more milk you will have.
How Long (Until How Old) Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
The recommendation of all scientists, the World Health Organization, Unicef and the policy of the Ministry of Health regarding infant nutrition is that “babies should be fed exclusively with breast milk for the first 6 months without even water, and breastfeeding should be continued after the 6th month with appropriate supplementary nutrition until the age of 2”. Breastfeeding is not limited to 6 months. The benefits of breastfeeding continue during the supplementary feeding period. This is one of the most misunderstood issues in our country. In other words, breastfeeding should not be stopped after the 6th month of appropriate supplementary feeding and should be continued until the age of 2 years.
Do I need to wait to start breastfeeding after birth?
Whether the mother has given birth normally or by caesarean section, she should breastfeed her baby as soon as she regains consciousness after the birth. The baby should be held to the breast by a healthcare professional in the delivery room immediately after the birth. The mother should breastfeed her baby frequently, stay in the same room, repeat breastfeeding frequently and ensure skin-to-skin contact. The more often the baby is breastfed, the easier it will be for the milk to come in. If you wait without breastfeeding, the milk will be delayed.
Do I need to give my baby sugar water after birth?
The only food that the baby should take immediately after birth is breast milk. By giving sugar water, the intake of oral milk will be prevented and the risk of the baby getting various diseases, especially infections, will increase. However, the baby does not even need water, let alone sugar water. Breast milk contains the water the baby needs no matter how hot it is. Its only need is its mother's milk for the first 6 months.
How should I hold my baby while breastfeeding?
The most important point that a mother should know about breastfeeding is how to place her baby on the breast. If the baby is well placed on the breast, the nipples will not be damaged while the mother and baby are learning to breastfeed. While breastfeeding, the mother can try different holds. However, the important thing is the correct way of holding the baby. In any case, the baby's shoulders and body should be facing the breast and the nose should be at the level of the nipple. The mother should support the baby's whole body, not just the head.
How should I place my baby on my breast?
In the early days, it may be more comfortable for the mother to breastfeed the baby lying down. In this case, the baby is lying on its side facing the mother. The mother can bring the baby closer to her breast with her free arm and hand. Supporting the back of the mother and the baby with a pillow helps the baby to settle. If the mother is breastfeeding sitting up, she should sit upright or bend slightly, but her lap should be flat. A stool can be placed under her feet if necessary. The mother's back or arms can be supported with a pillow to hold the baby comfortably. A pillow can also be placed on the mother's lap to bring the baby closer to her. In order for the mother to produce enough milk, the baby needs to suck often enough and correctly.
How should I support my breast while breastfeeding?
-Fingers should be under your breast, resting on your breast.
- You should support your breast from below with your index finger.
- Your thumb should be on the breast.
- Your fingers should be away from the tip of the breast, allowing the baby's chin to touch the breast.
How do I know if my baby is sucking in the right position?
-The mouth should be wide open.
-The baby's chin should rest on the breast.
-The lower lip should be curled outwards.
-The breast should fill the mouth as much as possible (not only the nipple, but also most of the brown area around the nipple). The baby cannot feed by sucking on the nipple.
Wrong latch Correct latch Good latching
Good latch prevents problems such as cracks, wounds, blockages, etc. that may occur in the nipple.
If you are worried that your baby is not breastfeeding well, you can apply to your local health center or Mother and Child Health and Family Planning Center or seek advice from a health worker. You can also find out about your nearest mother support group and get together with other breastfeeding mothers to support each other.
How does the baby suckle?
If the baby is not properly held at the breast, it will not suck well and the mother's nipples may become bruised and sore. In order for the baby to suck well, it needs to grasp not only the nipple but also the brown area around it with its mouth. When bringing the baby to the breast, the mouth should be as open as possible and the chin should rest on the breast.
For the baby to open its mouth well, the mother should touch the nipple to the baby's upper and lower lips. The mouth should include not only the nipple but also the area around the nipple. If the baby has grasped the breast correctly, it will move its chin and sometimes its ears during each sucking action.
The baby does not suck continuously. There are short resting intervals after vigorous sucking movements. If a slurping sound is heard during sucking or the cheeks are pulled in, this usually indicates that the baby is only sucking on the nipple and has not grasped enough breast tissue with its mouth.
My baby is always on the breast but has not gained weight. My doctor told me that you are breastfeeding your baby but you are not breastfeeding effectively.
What are the signs of effective breastfeeding? As a result of effective suckling;
- The nipple has a healthy appearance.
- The breast softens at the end of breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding is comfortable and enjoyable for the mother.
- The baby releases the breast on its own.
- The baby's swallowing of milk can be heard or seen
Poor latching to the breast and ineffective sucking
- His mouth is not wide open, his lips are stretched forward,
- The lower lip is not turned outward,
- That his chin did not touch his mother's breast,
- With sunken cheeks,
- From the outside, you can see that almost all of the brown area at the tip of the breast is outside.
In which positions can I breastfeed my baby, for example lying down?
Armpit position;
- In twin babies,
- Canal blockages,
- In cases where it is difficult for the baby to settle,
- It can be used if the mother prefers. What we need to pay attention to here is to hold the baby towards the breast.
Lying breastfeeding position;
- The mother can breastfeed lying on her back or side, especially after cesarean section.
Does Breast Milk Protect Against Diseases?
Breast milk protects your baby from all kinds of diseases such as otitis media, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, colds, all kinds of viruses and all kinds of diseases that may occur in the future such as diabetes, obesity, some types of cancer.
Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding my baby?
Yes, you can get pregnant. If you do not want to get pregnant, please contact your nearest health center or health personnel for a birth control method you want to use.
Why should I give my baby only breast milk without supplementary food?
Breast milk is the best food that can provide all the nutrients babies need for 6 months on its own. It is easy to digest. Breastfed babies do not need any additional food or water. Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients and water in sufficient quantities for the baby.
Breast milk quenches the baby's thirst even in very hot weather. Even in hot climates, breastfed babies do not need to be given water. If water is given to the baby, the baby's stomach will fill with water and the baby will not want to take breast milk. As a result, the baby will suck the breast less and milk production in the breast will decrease. Early supplementary feeding has many risks (for the baby), especially allergies. How do I know if my milk is enough? Every mother wants to make sure that her milk is enough for her baby. If her baby is very hungry, sleeps little or is restless, the mother thinks that her milk is not enough and worries. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other reasons. In such cases, mothers often start giving supplementary formula without consulting a specialist. Thus, they move away from breastfeeding. Every healthy mother can produce enough milk for her baby if she breastfeeds properly, breastfeeds frequently and at night in the first weeks, and drinks enough fluids. Breast milk may decrease temporarily. If the baby urinates 6-8 times a day, weighs at least 500 g per month or 150 g per week for the first 6 months.