How to Breast Feed a Baby 

How to Breast Feed a Baby by Famhealth

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

Foods rich in vital nutrients

Nuts are rich in calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Experts suggest that if you consume handful of nuts everyday its good for heart health. Since nuts are very high in calories, just having a handful of them is enough. High mineral nuts include almonds and cashews.

Beans are rich in copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Beans and lentils are good sources of fiber and a good vegetarian substitute of protein. High mineral beans include white beans, soybeans, chickpeas (garbanzo), and kidney beans.

Dark Leafy Green vegetables are rich in calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They contain minimal calories and are good for obese people. High mineral dark leafy green vegetables include spinach, and turnip greens.

Mushrooms are rich in copper, potassium, selenium, and zinc. Mushrooms are exceptionally low in calories, and you can have them with a homemade vegetable recipe or simply add it so some salad to get its maximum benefits.

Fish is rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium. It is also rich in protein, and heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids. Fish rich in minerals include salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Fish oil is also high in omega 3 fatty acids that are good for your heart health.

Foods rich in antioxidants

Kidney beans-All kinds of beans – black, pinto, red and kidney beans are high-octane sources of antioxidants. Beans are also rich in muscle-boosting protein, have no cholesterol and little fat. Combing them with grains helps in making a complete protein meal.

Raisins-If you’re looking to load up on antioxidants, have a handful of raisins. Dark raisins are packed with anthocyanins that give you an energy boost.  Sprinkle them on your breakfast oats, add them in a salad or blend some with your smoothie. 

Barley-This ancient grain is trending again and for good reason. Barley is known for its powerful antioxidant properties that make you stronger from within. Also, it has been found that when grains like barley are soaked and sprouted the antioxidant levels increase. 

Tomatoes-Juicy tomatoes are packed with three types of antioxidants – Lycopene (that gives tomato its bright red colour), Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Vitamin C is one of the most potent kinds of antioxidants that you can derive from fruits and vegetables. The lycopene in tomatoes is best absorbed when they are cooked.

Foods to stay healthy by Famhealth

Cereals are rich source of calcium, iron, and vitamin B. A cereal, which is coarser and grainier, is considered more healthy and nutritious. Experts say that a good cereal meal provides you with essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables- Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber and essential micronutrients.  Do you know the more colorful the fruits, denser the nutrient. Eating five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables is considered good for health.

To stay healthy, we need some fats in our diet; however consuming a fatty diet is harmful to our body. Experts suggest that the limited intake of saturated fat rich food items like ghee, butter, coconut oil etc. minimizes the risk of heart diseases and high blood cholesterol levels.

It is said that drinking about 8- 10 liters of water every day keeps the body hydrated. However; during summers or if you have an active lifestyle it is good to drink more water. Soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugar cannot replace the good benefits of water.

Experts say that exercise is the cornerstone of healthy living. Performing a 30 to 45 min daily exercise and sports like swimming, aerobics, power yoga etc. has shown good effects on our body.

Calcium Rich foods and their Role

Most cheeses are excellent sources of calcium. Parmesan cheese has the highest content of calcium among all cheese. As an added bonus, your body absorbs the calcium in dairy products more easily than that from plant sources.

Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium. Many types of yogurt are also rich in live probiotic bacteria, which have various health benefits. One cup (245 grams) of plain yogurt contains 30% of the daily-recommended dose for calcium, as well as phosphorus, potassium and vitamins B2 and B12.

Seeds are tiny nutritional powerhouses. Some are exceptionally high in calcium, including poppy, sesame, celery and chia seeds. For instance, 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of poppy seeds has 126 mg of calcium. Seeds also deliver protein and healthy fats. For example, chia seeds are rich in plant-based omega-3 fatty acids.

Milk and milk products are good sources of calcium. Daily consumption of milk helps in keeping our bones and teeth strong. Low – fat milk is a good option as it not only prevents the overloading of extra calories but also supplements your body with required calcium.

Tofu is an excellent source of calcium. You can simply add it to the vegetables or can stir-fry and eat. One block of tofu contains 1624 mg of calcium. Figs are also rich in calcium.