How to Breastfeed Longer With Ease?

Motherhood struck me as soon as I turned 29. Like any other ordinary girl, I wanted the best for my infant. Provide him with the best apparels, popular brands, best mom et al. To be the best mother, only the desire to be so, is not sufficient. Among other ingredients of the perfect mother was to breastfeed my baby – I was clearly alerted by my Pediatrician (child specialist).

Secrets for Longer Breastfeeding Time

A Moms Explains - Essential Facts of Mother's Milk. The mother’s milk or breastfeeding, in fact, is the best food for the baby as it helps in building your child immunity. The first yellow milk also known as colostrum is, in fact, a powerhouse of antibodies, preparing your baby to face the infections of the world. So, with my one-day-old baby, I started on breastfeeding so that I and the baby are able to pick the right technique. I had aimed at breastfeeding him for six months but when I became familiar with its benefits like no constipation, the strong immune system I decided to feed him for a year. As I was keen to breastfeed for the longest possible duration I had a long list of “free advisers” to suggest me on the do’s and don’ts. Interestingly, advises kept pouring in and list kept on increasing irrespective of the fact whether the advisor was a mother or not but trust me a few of them really turned out to be beneficial. 

Input Proportional to Output

Following the doctors advise and in my attempt to be the best mom one of my initial concerns was to increase the breastfeeding so that the baby doesn’t have to depend on “formula milk” to satisfy his hunger. Doctor’s words: The input is directly proportional to output, meaning the more I breastfed my baby, the more hormones would be produced in my body, prompting more milk production. So, effectively, to feed longer, breastfeed more and for longer, without letting up.

I was suggested by my “seasoned moms” – my mother and mother-in-law to add certain foods in my diet to ensure a better production of milk by the mammary glands. I added fenugreek, jeera powder, rice etc to achieve it. There are also, certain supplements available in the market for eg: Lactonic, which encourage healthy lactation. Check with your doctor on these. 

However, along with having a healthy and nutritious diet, it is pertinent to have lots and lots of liquid. This was suggested by my pediatrician who was a family friend as well. So, I had increased my water intake. Also, as I breastfed my baby I used to have an urge to drink water as my throat used to go dry. To increase my liquid intake I had started relying on soups like chicken soups, fresh vegetable soups as they provided me with the right nutrition and ample breast milk to satisfy my infant appetite.In fact, drinking liquid helps in let down of the milk and makes it easily available to the infant. So, drink some nourishing fluids, especially before you settle down to breastfeed your baby.
 

Enjoy the Phase

This is something most people will forget to tell you—that to breastfeed effectively and longer, the mom must be relaxed, stress-free and happy. It is all a play of hormones, so if you get worked up about breastfeeding or another stress-causing factor in your life, the let down of milk may not happen very smoothly. The more happy and relaxed you will be, the longer and better you will be able to breastfeed. So, learn to ignore the glances at the public places, cover the infant’s head with a shawl or stole; and learn to ignore all the aunties who insist that your body is not able to produce enough milk. Rest assured, that each mother’s milk is produced in sufficient quantities for her baby to be satisfied on.
 

Always Be Prepared

There will be phases when you will feel too exhausted by all this activity and would want to give in to the temptation of formula feed (or well-meaning adults, who assume that the baby is still hungry, would advise you on the same). Don’t give in to the temptation—think of all the benefits your baby is going to reap from breastfeeding—immunity, healthier brain development, happier emotional state, great bonding with you, easier weight-loss for you, reduced chances of osteoporosis etc—and you will be back on track.
 

From 6 Months to An Year

The first few weeks of breastfeeding were rather challenging as I felt very weak and didn’t know the right technique. Gradually, I learned that I need to ensure that the baby latches on properly to the breast, meaning, he should be suckling at the entire areola than just the nipple. Also, there is no one defined position to breastfeed. Sitting up on the bed, in a chair…whatever is convenient to both the mother and the baby is fine. Just ensure you don’t develop a postural backache. My little angel - Aarvish – was also cranking and trying to settle in the new environment immediately after coming out of the womb. Initially, he took milk on demand every fifteen minutes and thereafter every two hours. Breastfeeding schedule and frequency is individual to each infant. My nephew used to take breastfeed for 45 minutes and then sleep for three hours. In a month I and my baby were an expert in the art of breastfeeding. Also if the child sucks the milk in the right pattern the feed increases. Once you understand yourself and your baby better, you will know how to identify the hunger cues. Every time the baby cries does not mean he is hungry and that the last breastfeeding session did not fill his stomach up. Children may cry out of a wet diaper, or simply boredom. A change of scenery may stop the crying and assure you back that the baby had indeed been fed well in the last feeding session.

Sometimes, when I had to go out I used to express milk with the help of a breast pump and preserve it in the refrigerator. My husband, mother or mother-in-law used to give it to the baby then. Once Aarvish was six months old I started the semi-solids along with the breastfeeding. This way I was able to nurture him with the mother’s milk and continued to do so for a year. I ensured a healthy and balanced diet all this while and feeding my child at regular intervals for ensuring my feed for a year at least.
 

Breastfeeding Tips For Working Mothers

If you have to join back your office within a month then managing breastfeeding work can be a challenge but not impossible. As per my experience, one should initially breastfeed the infant as mothers touch and smell is important to make your baby feel comfortable. However, gradually you can start expressing milk with the help of a breast pump. One can express milk every two hours or whenever the breast felt heavy and preserve it in the refrigerator. Expressed breastmilk can be preserved up to 6 hours in the refrigerator in hygienic conditions.

Before administering it to the infant, warmly expressed milk, by standing the container with the expressed breastmilk in a bowl of warm water. Heating it directly on flame or in the microwave can lead to loss of nutrients.