Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants 0 - 6 months. However, breastfeeding problems such as inadequate breastfeeding frequency, improper breastfeeding position, poor attachment and ineffective suckling may hinder effective breastfeeding and cause discomfort for the mother. Here are some practical tips for successful breastfeeding:
1. Breastfeed on demand, both day and night (8-12 times) to build up your breast milk supply. Breastfeeding on demand helps the baby get enough milk and helps stimulate continuous milk production. Crying is already a late sign of hunger, thus the early signs that the baby wants to breastfeed include:
● Restlessness
● Opening mouth and turning head from side to side
● Putting tongue in and out
● Suckling on fingers and fists
When breastfeeding, let the baby finish one breast before offering the other. Switching back and forth from one breast to the other prevents the baby from getting the nutritious “hind milk” or the milk that is released later during breastfeeding. The “fore milk” is the first batch of milk released during breastfeeding which has more water that satisfies the baby’s thirst while the “hind milk” has more fat and satisfies the baby’s hunger. The following are signs that the baby is getting enough milk:
● Not visibly thin or is gaining weight or getting fatter
● Responsive and active according to their age
● Gaining weight appropriately based on the baby’s growth chart
● When baby passes light-colored urine 6 times a day or more when exclusively breastfed
2. Check for good attachment for effective suckling. Good attachment helps ensure that the baby suckles well and helps the mother produce continuous breastmilk supply. It also helps prevent sore, cracked nipples and even pain while breastfeeding.
4 signs of good attachment (hakab):
● Baby’s mouth is wide open
● You can see more darker skin (areola) above the baby’s mouth than below
● Baby’s lower lip is turned outwards
● Baby’s chin is touching mother’s breast
5 signs of effective suckling:
● The baby takes slow deep suckles, sometimes pausing
● The mother may be able to see or hear the baby swallowing after one or two suckles
● Suckling is comfortable and pain free for the mother
● The baby finishes the feed, releases the breast and looks contented and relaxed
● The breast is softer after the feed
After the baby releases one breast, offer the other breast to ensure that the baby stimulates milk production in both breasts and gets the most nutritious and satisfying milk.
/AET
References:
• Department of Health (2012). Gabay sa Pagpapasuso at Pagpapakain ng Sanggol at Bata (Infant and Young Child Feeding). Manila: DOH.
• UNICEF (2013). Key Messages Booklet: The Community Infant and Young Child Feeding Counselling Package. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/ghana/reports/infant-and-young-child-feeding-counselling-package
