How to Breast Feed a Baby

Mother’s milk is perfect and uniquely made for the growing baby’s needs. Giving Mothers milk makes a big difference to both baby and mothers health.

Good for the mother:

Helps womb (uterus) come back normal size and reduces bleeding.
It naturally uses up about 500 extra calories a day so mums who breast-feed often find it easier to lose their pregnancy weight.
It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Breast-feeding acts as a natural family planning method.
It saves money – formula feeding can cost.

Good for the baby:

All Nutrients required for the first six months, Easy digestion.
Helps baby pass motion easily.
Provides immunity.
Readily available, usually sterile. No danger of allergy
More convenient, requiring no preparation and costs nothing.
Reduces chances of getting some illnesses later in life .
Make you closer with your baby.
Formula milk is made from cow’s milk and other ingredients: So does not help protect baby from illness and diseases.

First Feed:

A healthy baby has put to the breast half an hr to 1 hr following normal delivery.
Following caesarean delivery, a period of 2 to 3 hrs may be sufficient for the mother to breast feed the baby.

Getting ready for Feeding:

You should clean the nipples and breast with cotton soaked in warm water.
Wash your hands prior to breast-feeding.
You and baby should be in a comfortable position during breast-feeding.

What can provide comfortable environment during feed?

You can sit on a chair or bed with back supported so that you will feels comfortable.
You could raise the feet or knees, if you needs to but should not bend over the baby.

How you should hold the baby?

Wrap the baby in a wrapper.
Support the neck, shoulders and back.
You should hold the baby close to you.
He should be able to tilt his head back easily.
Make sure baby’s head and body in a straight line.
If not, the baby might not be able to swallow easily.
Hold the baby’s whole body closes with his nose level with the nipple.
Baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath the nipple.
Placing your baby with his nose level with your nipple will allow him to reach up and attach to the breast well.
Let the baby’s head tip back a little so that his top lip can brush against your nipple. This should help the baby to make a wide-open mouth.
When the baby’s mouth opens wide, his chin is able to touch the breast first, with his head tipped back so that his tongue can reach as much breast as possible.
With his chin firmly touching and his nose clear, his mouth is wide open and there will be much more of the darker skin visible above the top lip than below his bottom lip. The baby’s cheeks will look full and rounded as they feed.

Nipple feeding is wrong:

When the baby isn’t correctly attached and just sucks the nipple, you feel feeding is painful, the nipples can get damaged, and the baby won’t be able to get enough milk.
Baby will not be satisfied
Milk production reduces
Cracked nipples may happen.
If baby is not attached correctly, stop avoids pulling him off your breast. Instead, break the attachment by inserting your little finger into the corner of her mouth, between her gums. Gently take her off the breast. Then make the latching perfect and start feeding.

How to make the baby burp

When babies suckle they swallow air, which can make them uncomfortable.
Burping is a process by which you can help a baby bring this air up and feel comfortable.
First spread a cloth (burp cloth) on your shoulder
Hold the baby on your shoulder or chest and rub its back
You can also or rub baby’s back while the baby sits or lies on your lap.
These positions will also help comfort a restless baby or a baby that cries more than usual.

Usually you will hear a burp noise.It is normal for babies to bring up some fluids when they burp.

If you put the baby to sleep without burping they may vomit and that may enter the lungs causing difficulty in breathing.

To read more on Baby care, click on the link below,

New Born

Healthy food in winters

Root vegetables like beets, carrots and turnips grow in plenty during winter season. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene that has exceptional health benefits to your body. Vitamin C helps can help in boosting your immunity and vitamin A is good for eye health.

Oatmeal is much more than just a convenient breakfast food; it also provides nutrients that are essential during winter. Oatmeal is high in zinc (important for proper immune function) and soluble fiber. Having an oatmeal breakfast with nuts provides you with essential nutrients and energy during winters.

Mixed vegetable or chicken soup is winter’s perfect food. But soup with minimal amount of cream and salt is more beneficial. Pair your soup with a side of 100 percent whole grain crackers. Homemade soups are the best as they are low in calories and are full of essential micronutrients that are good for health.

Cold and flu are common in winters, to prevent risk eat lots of cruciferous vegetables that boosts your defense system in winters. Broccoli and cauliflower are both high in vitamin C, which is associated with enhanced immune function. Try to buy and consume fresh broccoli and cauliflower.

Fish like salmon or tuna are good sources of vitamin D. During the winter months, when you have limited exposure to the sun, food sources containing high amounts of Vitamin D are more essential for daily intake. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired growth, weakening of the bones and even the risk of heart disease. So having fish has great effects on our body during winters.

Building Immunity

What does research say in improving the immune function?

Research is continually being made and shown how diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other factors influence the immune system of the adults and the children.

Adopt healthy life style habits such as:

Good hygiene-Practice good hygiene methods such as properly wash your hands before consuming food. Maintain good sanitary hygiene methods.

Vaccination- Go for all the mandatory vaccinations required under national immunization programme.
Food Safety-Eat fresh, healthy and clean food
Clean water- Drink chlorinated and safe water.
Refrain from smoking
Consume a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exercise regularly.
Keep your weight under check
Avoid alcohol.
Take adequate sleep.
Take important steps to keep stress at bay.

Some herbs which can boost the immune system:

Research has shown that the benefits of following herbs, supplements and essential oils which have been found in building the immunity:

Echinacea

A 2012 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that Echinacea was found beneficial in fighting against some recurrent infections, and showed a great benefit in preventing against many infections.

A 2003 study conducted at the University of Wisconsin Medical School demonstrated that Echinacea can boost the immune system. Echinacea was found beneficial in stimulating and boosting the immunity and was found beneficial in fighting against upper respiratory tract infections

Elderberry

Hippocrates, the father of medicine realized the importance of the plant elderberry considering its great health benefits, including its ability to fight colds, the flu, allergies and inflammation. Studies have indicated that elderberry has the power to boost the immune system, especially because it has proven to help treat the symptoms of the common cold and flu.

A study published in the Journal of International Medical Research found that using elderberry within the first 48 hours of onset of symptoms, the extract reduced the duration of the fly

Colloidal Silver

Silver was a popular to stop spreading the diseases since ancient times. Silver has been recognized as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that colloidal silver was able to significantly inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Taking one drop of the colloidal silver everyday and applying it on the wounds yields great benefits.

Probiotics

It has been found that an unhealthy gut is a major cause of food related infections, cause autoimmune disease and immune imbalance or a weakened immune system. Probiotics such as yogurt, curd release good bacteria which help to boost the natural immunity.

A research published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition suggests that probiotic bacteria may induce different cytokine responses. Probiotics consume at the infancy have proved to improve the immune response and builds the immunity to fight infections.

Astragalus Root

Astragalus is a plant which belongs to the bean and legumes family. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used this plant to build the natural immunity.

A recent review published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that astragalus-based treatments have shown great benefits in the improvement of the toxicity induced by drugs such as immune suppressants and cancer chemotherapeutics. Researchers concluded that astragalus extract has a beneficial effect on the immune system, and it protects the body from gastrointestinal inflammation and cancers.

Ginger

Indian Ayurveda medicine has relied on ginger’s ability for how to boost your immune system before recorded history. It’s believed that ginger can remove the toxins primarily due to its warming effects. It’s also known to cleanse the lymphatic system, our network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials.

Ginger root and ginger essential oil can be used to treat infections and diseases with its immune nutrition and anti-inflammatory responses. Ginger also has antimicrobial property, which helps in treating infectious diseases.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses and a Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infection. Research shows that vitamin D works to maintain tolerance and promote protective immunity. There have been multiple cross-sectional studies that associate lower levels of vitamin D with increased infection.

One study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital included 19,000 participants, and it showed that individuals with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to report a recent upper respiratory tract infection than those with sufficient levels, even after adjusting for variables such as season, age, gender, body mass and race. Sometimes addressing a nutritional deficiency is how to boost your immune system.

Some other foods which can boost the immune system are:

Oats and Barley
Garlic
Chicken soup
Cereals
Mushrooms

How to Boost Your Immune System with Lifestyle Changes

One must perform exercises on a routine basis to strengthen your immune system. A 2018 human study published in Aging Cell revealed that high levels of physical activity and exercise improve the immune senescence (gradual decline of the immune system) in older adults aged 55 through 79, compared to those in the same age group who were physically inactive. Healthy ageing can be achieved with help of the exercise and good physical activity.Few points as a precaution:

These herbs and medicines taken to boost the immune system should be used in moderation and gap should be given in their consumption. They are highly potent in their nature so must be consumed at regular intervals

Avoid their use if you are pregnant or use them under the guidance of your doctor.

Sources:

https://draxe.com/how-to-boost-your-immune-system/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/a20503059/power-foods-that-boost-immunity/

Tag: immunity