Breastfeeding

Nutrition during pregnancy

Good nutrition is essential during pregnancy because it contributes to:

• Promoting milk production for breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding

• Breast milk is the ideal food for a baby as it contains all the necessary and sufficient nutrients for healthy growth.
• The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding as the primary source of nutrition for infants from birth until at least six months.

Correct breastfeeding practices

• Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
• Exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life.
• Avoid using bottles and pacifiers for the infant.
• Introduce solid foods alongside breast milk after 6 months of age.

Ability to breastfeed

Breastfeeding is possible for almost all women. Factors that do not affect a woman's ability to breastfeed include:

• Age
• Body shape or size
• Sweat
• Breast size
• Climate

Correct breastfeeding positions

• Cradle position
• Football position
• Side-lying position
• Sitting at a 90-degree angle (use a pillow to support the baby's head)

Breast milk components

Breast milk is a complete source of liquid nutrition, providing all the nutrients a child needs.

• It changes according to the age and needs of the infant.
• Milk for a premature baby differs from that of a full-term baby.

• Produced during the first three days postpartum.
• A yellow, thick substance secreted in small quantities, sufficient to nourish the baby.
• Rich in protein, antibodies, and white blood cells.
• Acts as a natural laxative to pass meconium.

• Transitions between three days to two weeks postpartum.
• Adjusts to meet the baby’s growth needs.
• Initial milk quenches thirst with water content, while later milk provides fat to satiate hunger.

Benefits of breastfeeding for the child

• Ideal for brain, nervous, and mental development.
• Reduces risks of gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, infections, anemia, obesity, diabetes, asthma, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), jaw deformities, and tooth decay.
• Provides complete nutritional needs, aiding in weight gain (0.5 to 1 kg/month).

Benefits of breastfeeding for mothers

• Enhances bonding and reduces stress.
• Helps the uterus return to its normal size and reduces postpartum bleeding.
• Aids in weight loss (burns ~500 calories/day).
• Reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancers and osteoporosis.

Breastfeeding mother nutrition

• Focus on quality over quantity.
• Maintain a balanced diet with three main meals and two snacks daily.
• Increase calorie intake by 330–400 calories/day.
• Key food groups:
  • Protein (meat, fish, poultry)
  • Dairy
  • Grains
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Liquids

• Limit to 300 mg/day (3–4 cups of coffee).
• Opt for decaffeinated drinks, herbal teas, or natural juices.

Postpartum milk production and secretion

• Milk production increases during the first week postpartum (from 15 ml/feeding to 60–180 ml/feeding).
• Helps the uterus return to its normal size and reduces postpartum bleeding.
• Mothers burn ~500 calories/day producing milk, aiding weight loss.
• Tips to increase milk production:
  • Take warm baths, massage breasts, drink warm beverages, relax, and breastfeed frequently.

• Regular feeding intervals and diaper changes.
• Baby shows signs of satiety (relaxed limbs, slow feeding).

Breast milk storage

• Store in sterile containers or freezer bags.
• Room temperature: Up to 4 hours.
• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Best used within 6 months; can last up to 12 months.
• Avoid refreezing thawed milk.

• Place in the refrigerator for 4–24 hours or use warm water.
• Avoid microwaves to preserve nutrients and prevent uneven heating.

Breastfeeding and working women

• Breastfeed before leaving home and after returning.
• Use a breast pump for milk storage if away for extended periods.
• Prepare for work by selecting the right breast pump and testing it beforehand.