by Mums and Stories is partnering with Apollo Cradle to bring in awareness on Breast feeding week which is observed every year from August 1st -August 7th
#Apollobreastfeedingweek
#Breastfeedingweek
#Apollocradle
We at Mums and Stories conducted a poll on our social media page on whether breast feeding is easy or tough. Out of the respondents who took part in the survey, 33% of them said it’s easy; 26% said its tough. It is obvious one cannot ignore the category who find it difficult to nurse a baby through breastfeeding.
Why do these mums find it tough? Perhaps we will derive at some answers as we progress in this blog. However, to answer many questions related to breast feeding, a panel of experts addressed a bloggers meet organized by Apollo Cradle – www.apollocradle.com on August 1st 2018 and Mums and Stories was invited to be part of the meet.
One thing that became quite clear were on the myths and the facts of breast feeding. Highlighted by Dr. Aparna Jha, Senior Consultant, Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Apollo Cradle, she shared one of the common myths was of the concern of mums on having their breasts being deformed due to breast feeding. In fact the baby adapts its mouth to the shape of mother’s breast and does not deform the organ.
(Exclusive video of Dr. Aparna Jha, Apollo Cradle talking to Mums and Stories on the importance of breast milk)
Other myths that were busted were that of small breasts do not provide enough milk. In fact the size of the breast does not have to do anything with the functionality of the breast and every mom is capable of producing enough milk for the baby.
The very first milk produced is Colostrum is not to be discarded but definitely given to the baby. It is the most important part of the nutrition in the early days of the baby’s life.
She also shared important pointers on Breast feeding offering long term healthy and welcoming benefits for mums like reducing the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.
Breast feeding also reduces the risk of heart diseases and reduces the severity of diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
According to Dr. Mohanieshwari, Physiotherapist, Childbirth Educator and Lactation consultant at Apollo Cradle, Brookfield, “Those mums who find it difficult can try one of the four positions in breast feeding as it may work out for them.”
Cradle position– In this position, the baby’s head is cradled near the mother’s elbow and her arm supports the infant along the back and neck.
Cross-cradle position- In this position, the mum who is breast feeding can use the opposite arm of the cradle position to support the infant. Here the back of the baby’s head and neck is being supported by the mother’s hand.
Clutch position- Here the baby is positioned on the mother’s side with the body and feet tucked under the mum’s arm. The baby’s head is held in the mum’s hand and her arm may rest on a pillow for a better grip. This position may be advantageous for those mums who have had to undergo a C-section for the delivery.
Side –lying position- In this position, the mum lies on her side and faces the baby. The baby’s mouth is in line with the nipple to be guided for breastfeeding. Here too the mum may use a pillow for back and neck support.
(Photograph by Mums and Stories)
- It is not something to be brushed under the carpet when a lot of new mums are finding it tough to breastfeed the baby. This may be with their own myths, concerns and lack of support or numerous issues like
- Insufficient milk production
- Emotional stress
- Disapproval and discomfort of breast feeding in public spaces
- Insufficient support from family, work spaces, colleagues and others in public spaces.
- Engorgement of breasts
If these or any other concerns bother the new mom, it is of vital importance that she gets the issue addressed to ensure healthy breast feeding phase for the baby.
In other words, to ensure tummy full of mummy love, it is important for a new mum to be determined of initiating breast feeding as soon as possible after childbirth which will be exclusively as the baby’s food until six months of age. This can be continued until the baby is two years of age.
Remember Healthy mum-Healthy baby-Healthy food (breast feeding) are all co-related in the growing stage of the infant.
Here is another video of Dr. Srividya Aravind, Senior Dietitian , Apollo Cradle , Brookfield talking on ‘Golden rules of Lactation’.
Mums and Stories hopes all the new mums to be aware, take charge and get all concerns addressed, if any for a healthy relationship and breast feeding phase.
