Breastfeeding – Healthy nutrition for babies

Problems with baby breastfeeding are not uncommon

The birth of a child is a highlight in a woman’s life. The first moments after delivery are unforgettable for mothers. So is the first time they put their newborn baby to bed.

Every mother remembers these moments. The child at the mother’s breast is a beautiful image. Already in these minutes a significant bond develops between mother and child. The newborn baby drinks the important foremilk, the colostrum. It acts like a kind of vaccination and protects the child from germs and bacteria, a jump start for the child if you will.

After the first little hurdles of breastfeeding, mother and child develop a harmonious breastfeeding relationship. Midwives or a lactation consultant support them in this learning process. A mother has very good instincts about her baby’s drinking behavior. After a few weeks, routine has set in and mother and baby have adjusted to each other. Tip: It is best to wash the breast with neutral soap (e.g. baby soap). Perfume or fragrances from shower baths irritate many babies. Another problem with breastfeeding may be a shortened frenulum in the baby. This prevents the baby from sucking properly. If the baby frequently lets go of the breast, milk runs out of the corners of the mouth, the baby is not gaining enough weight, and the tongue looks notched, you should talk to your pediatrician. Often, a little intervention helps the baby and breastfeeding becomes fun again for mom and baby. At some point, even the most experienced mothers come to the point of asking themselves: How long should I breastfeed my child?

How long does the breastfeeding relationship last?

Unicef and WHO recommend a breastfeeding duration of six months, during which the baby should be fully breastfed. This means giving up all complementary foods. This also includes water and tea.

Breast milk is ideal. It covers the child’s entire nutritional needs, is free of germs, is always at the optimum temperature and the mother always has it with her. This is definitely a time saver. Not to be neglected is the financial aspect. Replacement formula costs a wicked amount of money. First and foremost, of course, the advantage of breast milk is the health of the child. There is no better nutrition for the baby in the first six months of life. After the completed sixth month of life, Unicef and WHO recommend an easily digestible and suitable complementary food. However, every mother should continue breastfeeding. And she should do so until the baby is two years old. After that, there is no physiological reason to continue breastfeeding. However, this does not mean that a mother should stop breastfeeding from this second point. Nature has given women a gift. They can feed their babies independently. If nature had intended that a child would not need milk after the seventh month of life, the milk would dry up and mothers would not be able to give their children a breast from that point on. There is a reason why children can breastfeed much longer. The World Health Organization’s recommendations don’t just apply to developing countries. Industrialized nations are equally addressed.

Even if it is forbidden by law to call substitute foods superior to breast milk and advertising measures are not allowed to advocate weaning, the influences of the economy should not be underestimated. Wherever you look, you will see advertising for replacement foods, complementary foods and supplementary products. With this branch the companies earn millions. And let’s be honest, who didn’t think when they had their first child that a bottle was part of the initial equipment? Enjoy the breastfeeding period. There comes a time when your child will no longer allow so much closeness.

What you need for breastfeeding:

• Nursing pillow
• Breast pump
• Rent a breast pump?
• Cleaning a breast pump
• Nursing bra
• Nursing pads
• Fancy breastfeeding clothes
• What are nursing caps?

Why breastfeeding is so important

Breastfed children already receive antibodies from their mothers through their breast milk and are therefore less likely to get sick. The risk of suffering from obesity is much higher in bottle-fed children. Provided the mother has a healthy diet, the milk contains everything a baby needs. It even prevents allergies. Mothers who have breastfed their children are less likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer. So there are many compelling reasons to breastfeed your child. No one can replace the time spent together between mother and child. Despite all this, breastfeeding is always a couple relationship. So it doesn’t matter how long you breastfeed your child, as long as both partners – mother and child – like it.

If you have serious problems with breastfeeding, don’t be afraid to ask your midwife, a lactation consultant or your doctor for advice. Often, however, a trusting conversation with a friend who has already breastfed a child or even with the mother or grandma can help.

News – Breastfeeding and the coronavirus:

Even now in the fall of 2022, many young mothers are concerned about the coronavirus. Questions like: “Is the virus transmitted via breast milk? Or can I get vaccinated if I am still breastfeeding?” are currently on the minds of many young women.

Our urgent advice here is to seek advice from your doctor (gynecologist, pediatrician, family doctor). They are sure to be informed about the current state of research! Your midwife or lactation consultant will also be able to answer some of your questions! If you get information on the Internet, make sure you use reputable sources! The BZgA (Federal Center for Health Education), among others, has compiled good tips on this topic.

Breastfeeding promotion strategy:

Most people know that breastfeeding is important. But 90% of mothers who want to breastfeed their child after birth do so long enough. As many as half of mothers start bottle-feeding after 4 months. That’s why the German government has launched a national strategy to promote breastfeeding. The goal is to provide breastfeeding mothers and families with advisors.

Advantages of breastfeeding for mothers

Breastfeeding not only brings benefits for the baby, but also for the mothers! For example, breastfeeding causes the uterus to regress more quickly, and there are also findings that it reduces the risk of developing breast cancer or postpartum depression. And what will please many women, through breastfeeding you lose weight faster, because additional energy is consumed. Nevertheless, you should take your time and do some exercise.