Breastfeeding is the most natural and best way to feed your baby. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months old, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods up to two years old.
Breastfeeding provides a number of health benefits for both you and your child, including:
- Breastmilk contains all the nutrients that are needed by babies during their first year of life. This includes iron, zinc, vitamin A, B12, DHA, protein, calcium, etc.
- It helps protect against infections such as pneumonia. Breastfed children have fewer ear infections than formula-fed infants. They also tend to be less likely to develop allergies or asthma later in childhood.
- The mother's milk supply increases after birth, so it can last longer when mixed with other foodstuffs. It has been shown that breastfed babies sleep better at night because they don't wake frequently due to hunger pangs.
- Mothers who breastfeed may experience lower rates of postpartum depression.
- There is evidence that breastfeeding reduces obesity risk in adulthood.
How to create a breastfeeding schedule?
You should start feeding your newborn within an hour after delivery. If possible, try to nurse them every 2 hours while awake. You will need to express some milk from time to time if they don’t latch on well enough.
If you plan to exclusively breastfeed, then continue nursing once or twice daily throughout the first six weeks. After this period, gradually increase the frequency of feeds to three times per day.
For more information on how to create the best baby feeding schedule for your little one, read this post.
What to eat during the breastfeeding period?
During pregnancy, your body produces hormones called prolactin which stimulates lactation. These hormones remain active even after childbirth. In order to produce sufficient amounts of milk, women must consume adequate calories. During the early days of breastfeeding, mothers often feel hungry but do not want to eat much. However, eating small meals several times each day will help keep energy levels high.
Here is an article on what to eat and what to avoid eating while breastfeeding.