6 Tips to Help Breastfeed Your Child Longer

For the first time mother, there are a lot of questions and curiosity on the topic of breastfeeding. Will I be able to breastfeed? Will it hurt? What if I cannot breastfeed? Will my breast milk be enough for my baby? And while I am at work how can I ensure that my baby gets breast milk?  A mother goes through these and many more questions.

Breastfeed Longer: A Few Tips Worth Sharing

Most of us are well aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. It is the best nutrition for the baby—it contains anti-bodies and all other nutrients required to boost a baby’s immunity and growth. But what we should also remember is that it requires time and patience on the mother’s behalf.

Breastfeeding is a learning experience at which, the mother and baby get comfortable only with time. You have to give yourself and your baby time to learn how to breastfeed. Make it a cherishing experience for both of you. Also read: 9 Tips to Increase Breast Milk Supply in Lactating Moms

Here are a few tips that might help you in taking an informed decision and of course help you breastfeed your child longer.

#1. You may not get it right the first time

Try getting help from a nurse, elder person in the family, or a lactation expert if you are struggling. Choose a position that is comfortable for you and your baby. Also, ensure the baby latches on properly—she should latch on to the entire areola than just the nipple.

#2. Expressing Milk

You can opt for expressing milk if your baby is not able to breast feed or if you can’t be with her all the time in the first 6 months. There are several manuals and electric breast pumps available nowadays. Manual pumps are fine if you plan to express 1-2 times a day, but we suggest an electric pump for a more comfortable experience.

A good electric pump should be comfortable, with fewer parts to clean, at least a 2yr warranty, a let-down mode to help start milk flow and should be a closed system. Closed system pumps have a sealing valve between the pump tube and the collection unit to stop any milk flow into the tube for better hygiene. An example of a comfortable high-quality breast pump is the Philips Avent Comfort Electric Breast Pump.

Mothers consider breast pump as not just a solution which gives flexibility, but it also ensures that the baby is not devoid from her feed. And remember, expressing milk with a comfortable breast pump finally leads to more milk.

If you are a working mother or a mother who wants to express milk for your baby, besides BF, here are a few useful tips on how to express more.

• Emotions are the key to milk production - Positive emotions increase milk production. You may keep your baby's photo in front of you while expressing.
• Be comfortable and warm - A comfortable breast pump with a soft massaging cushion on the breast cup really helps. Having a warm bath before you express milk sets the body temperature right.
• Pumping is artificial – So the closer your pump mimics natural sucking of a baby, more is the milk you can express.

#3. Breastfeeding in Public

Feeding your child in a public place is nothing to be shy of. Feeding blankets and stoles can be of help here.

Also see this useful video guide on How to Breastfeed.

#4. Emotional bonding

Breastfeeding is a great bonding time with your child. It is the time when you and your baby are in a secluded area. You can coo or sing to the little one, or together both of you can listen to some soothing music.

#5. Breast engorgement

Initially there might be days when you are going to end up having sore breasts. Milk gets collected in the milk ducts and can lead to pain and a feeling of swelling in the breast or under the armpits.  Gentle massage or expressing the excess milk with a Breast Pump decreases the swelling. [Also Read - Nutrition Tips For Breastfeeding Moms]

#6. Breastfeeding helps in losing weight

Apart from medical benefits for the mom like lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer & Type 2 Diabetes, breastfeeding helps mothers lose weight too. So you fit into your lovely pre-pregnancy dresses again sooner. 

Breastfeeding your baby is one of the best health choices you can make for your little one and you. It's great that we have now some comfortable and hygienic options available that equip a mom to make this wonderful choice and sustain it for up to 2 years, as recommended by World Health Organisation.

Disclaimer: This blog is a special initiative to help mothers breastfeed longer and has been supported by Philips Avent