Becoming a mother is one of the most important decisions you can make in life. Your body has nourished a child in vitro for 9 months, so now you need to decide if you want to continue this natural process by breast feeding. For fist time mothers there are a few difficult weeks in the beginning but as time goes on it becomes easier and easier and you will soon realize the rewards out weigh the discomfort. The quality time spent nursing your child is bonding time that can never be equaled.
Some of the side effects of breastfeeding might encourage a mother to switch to formula but this should be a last resort. Your body produces milk that is designed for each individual child’s needs. The milk you produce with your first child will be different for your second. Nature has it’s own method that is far and above that of bought formula. Always consult with your doctor before you decide if breastfeeding is right for you and your child.
During the first years of life it is important for a mother and her child to bond, breastfeeding is a great way for this to happen. Your child not only is being fed but develops a sense of security and well being. Even though your baby can not speak your child is aware of everything going on in his or her surroundings. You can take advantage of this time you spend with your baby to relax, focus on you and the child and filter out everything else that goes on in your day. Having a child is stressful, your baby will appreciate your relaxed posture during breastfeeding.
The benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous! There are few negative side effects of breastfeeding and multiple benefits of breastfeeding. Some mothers will complain that their nipples and aureoles get sore and dry. For most women this clears up after a while but for others this condition is problematic and will be present during the first few months of nursing. There are different breastfeeding salves available that can combat this side effect available over the counter without prescription. You can also use Vaseline, just make sure there is none left on your skin when feeding your baby.
Another inconvenience associated with breastfeeding is doing it in public. You can simply bring a small blanket with you to cover yourself and the baby’s head. While somewhat intimidating at first, with a little practice it becomes second nature. Before breastfeeding in public, you can practice in the privacy of your own home so when the times comes that you need to breastfeed in public you are prepared to do so.
In the event that you need to have someone else watch your baby you will need to use a breast pump to extract enough milk to feed your child while you are gone. Breast milk has a very short shelf life when inside of a bottle and breast pumps can be bothersome. Some people claim that they create extra tenderness around their nipple.
Leakage can also be a problem but there are many different types of nursing pads that can be used. Be sure to change them often to avoid any bacterial growth. Personal hygiene is very important when breastfeeding your child. Sometimes during the first few weeks your body will produce extra milk causing your breasts to be sore and swollen causing more leakage to occur. But over time in most cases your body will regulate the amount of milk you produce to match your child’s needs.
It is important when nourishing your child to make sure you nourish yourself. Try to follow a healthy breastfeeding diet, exercise and get plenty of sleep. Having a baby and breastfeeding takes a lot of energy so make sure you stay healthy!