Breastfeeding is a very personal decision. Many women have their own beliefs and feelings about whether or not they want to breastfeed their babies or how they would go about the process .
“The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Associating promote breastfeeding as the BEST source of infant nutrition”. Breastfeeding is a complete nutrition that is easy for the baby to digest, which promotes the child eating more often due to faster digestion.
However, due to differing public opinions much questions stems up in the mind of many, especially young mothers. This article answers some of this questions. So read on.
The Big Questions About Breast Feeding
Are my breasts too small to breastfeed?
Breast size does not affect your ability to breastfeed. The amount of milk your breasts make will depend on how much your baby eats, not how big your breasts are.
Will breastfeeding hurt?
Breastfeeding should not hurt if your baby is latched onto your breast well.
Your health care provider can help you learn how to hold your baby when you breastfeed for the first time. Your breasts might be tender the first few days, but this soreness should go away as you continue to breastfeed.
Is breastfeeding hard to do?
Breastfeeding is a learned skill and takes practice, but the health benefits you are gaining for you and your baby are worth it. Help with breastfeeding is available. There are many ways for you to learn about breastfeeding. Many hospitals offer breastfeeding classes that you can attend during pregnancy. In most cases, nurses and lactation consultants are also available to give you information and support. Talking to other breastfeeding moms might be helpful and make you feel more comfortable.
I am shy and think breastfeeding might embarrass me.
You can choose to feed your baby in private. Or, you can breastfeed in front of others without them seeing anything. You can wear shirts that pull up from the bottom, just enough for your baby to reach your breast. You can put a blanket over your shoulder or around your baby so no one can see your breast.
No, you do not have to drink milk to make breast milk. Other sources of calcium-rich foods include yogurt, cheese, tofu, salmon, almonds, calcium-enriched fruit juice, corn tortillas, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and dried beans and peas. Eat four servings of calcium-rich foods every day to provide proper nutrition for you and your baby.Do I have to drink milk if I choose to breastfeed?
What if I need to go out?
If you can take your baby with you, your baby can eat when he or she is hungry. If you need to be away from your baby, you can learn to pump or "express" your milk and store it so that someone else can feed your baby.
How can I breastfeed when I go back to work?
When you return to work, you can learn to pump or "express" your milk and store it so that someone else can feed your milk to your baby while you're at work. For More information on Breastfeeding for working mothers, go to: www.womenshealth.gov
Will breastfeeding take too much time?
Feeding your baby takes time, no matter which method you choose. Your choice to breastfeed is a personal one. We hope this handout explained some of the benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby. Please feel free to discuss your concerns with your health care provider or a lactation consultant.
- wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding
- http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living
- wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoporosis
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