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[H877]How To Breastfeed Your Baby

by Popsrisuk Posak, Pop

It is a well known fact that breastfeeding is the best option when feeding your baby. It is widely recommended by doctors and by mothers, though for some women breastfeeding is not an option. This can be down to physical or personal reasons, though whatever reason there are options when you just cannot breastfeed your baby.

The first thing to know when you realize you cannot breastfeed is that this does not make you a bad mother. There are many who claim that breastfeeding is best, but most people will understand if it is not an option for you. If they don't understand, then it is important to remember that this is a personal decision and one that you should not feel guilty for. So long as you have put thought and consideration into all your options then you will be doing the right thing for you and your baby.

Before giving up completely it is worth getting some help and support to try some new methods that might help you and your baby. There is a lot of advice around on breastfeeding your baby but not everything works for everyone, so listen to other's advice but do not feel bad if it doesn't work out. Importantly, you should also get advice from a doctor who will tell you ways of holding the baby, or methods using pumps, that may help.

If you are not producing enough milk to breastfeed your baby this can often be down to not getting help soon enough, so contact your doctor to discuss your issues. If your nipples are cracked and sore then you could try a mixture of breast and bottle feeding, but if this fails you will just need to stop breastfeeding. Sore nipples are not pleasant and you need to care for your own wellbeing. As a start you can try expressing milk and mix this with using formula, but this doesn't always work out for everyone.

If the problem is down to your baby refusing to feed then there are also methods to help. Firstly, you can try offering your baby the breast when your baby is asleep or is very tired. You can also try different feeding positions for your baby. Visit a doctor if you are worried about any underlying medical causes for the refusal. It is quite common for babies to refuse to be breastfed, so try not to worry too much and try to stick to your normal routine. In most cases the problem will work itself out with some patience and consideration of these methods, and if not you may start to bottle feed your baby.

Once you have stopped breastfeeding there are methods you can use to help you continue to feel close with your baby at feeding time. Hold the baby close or use a pouch - anything you like so long as you and your baby are comfortable. There is no reason why you cannot bond with your baby in the normal, instinctive way just because you have stopped breastfeeding.

1. Fat provides the calories necessary for growth and essential nutrients required for brain function. And Fat contains the vitamins A,D and E, which are essential to many of our bodies; processes. When babies are breast fed, over 50 percent of calories come from fat.

2. Calcium and other important nutrients in human milk are also better utilized by babies.

3. Antigens in cow's milk can cause allergic reactions in a newborn baby, whereas such reactions to human milk are rare.

4. Human milk also promotes growth, largely due to the presence of certain hormones and growth factors.

5. Breast fed babies have a very low risk of developing meningitis or severe blood infections, and have a 500 to 600 percent lower risk of getting childhood lymphoma. Breast fed babies also suffer 50 percent fewer middle ear infections.

6. Research also indicates that breast fed babies are less likely to become obese children. Bottle-fed children have far higher concentrations of insulin, the chemical that stimulates the laying down of fat cells. Obesity in childhood is known to be a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in later life.

7. Studies have found that infants who were breast fed have much lower rates of ear infections, rashes, diarrhea, allergies, hospital admissions and other medical problems than babies that were fed formula.

8. The infant will get a sense of security from this and will form a better attachment with the mother. Nursing is a source of comfort and warmth to a baby.

9. Breastfeeding helps moms lose weight and get back to their pre-pregnancy size.

10. Breast milk is free -- you save a lot of money not having to buy formula. And it is readily available.

11. Breastfeeding is effective in combating postpartum depression

12. Colostrum is the first food available to breastfeeding newborns, and is tailor-made to meet the nutritional needs of newborn infants, breastfeeding babies do not require the large volumes of fluid required for bottle-fed babies during the first few days of life.

13. Colostrum also contains high concentrations of antibodies called immunoglobulins which protect them against bacteria and viral infections.

The decision to breast-feed is yours. Take at least as much time to learn about breastfeeding as you did when you picked out your babies crib; more if you can spare it. Arm yourself with knowledge and then make a decision. Only you can decide if breastfeeding is right for you family.

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Both Popsrisuk Posak & Farrell Seah are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Popsrisuk Posak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Parental Care and Health. Please visitandfor more information. Popsrisuk Posak's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.

Farrell Seah has sinced written about articles on various topics from Build Muscle, Aging and Parenting. Feel free to use this article with the author name and website included. http://www.BuyBovineColostrum.com. Farrell Seah's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.