There are various reasons for a woman to breastfed her baby. There is no other better nourishment for a baby than its mother's milk. Breast milk is normally available within sixty to seventy hours after delivery. An infant should be allowed to suck soon after the delivery. This helps the normal flow of the milk. The first flow which comes through the breast is known as the colostrum.

Colostrum is a liquid slightly yellow in color and thick in consistency. It is secreted from the breasts during the first few days after the delivery of a child. In the olden days the colostrum was thrown away believing that it was unfit for the child being the accumulated milk of pregnancy. Some called it pus and thought it was harmful for the child. The truth is colostrum is not harmful for new born babies. In fact it must be given to a newly born baby as it is rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. It is low in fat and carbohydrates. Colostrum provides the child with a lot of antibodies and protects the child against infections and allergies in later life.

With the flow of the milk the breast become firm and warm. The woman might feel exhausted; get a headache and sometime fever as well. The fever is known as breast-fever. During this fever, a woman feels a pulsation in the breast and some pain in the armpits. Fomentation with ice subside this pain within a day. To relieve a woman from breast pain, the extra milk should be sucked out with a breast pump.

Before a child takes up breastfeeding, it is necessary to examine the mother's milk. Milk which floats or sinks in water, gives a sour taste, which is thick, gives a different smell, appears black or yellow or red, should be considered impure. If the breast milk is impure and defective, include white-bread, kidney bean, ghee and milk in the diet. If the breasts are big, it does not mean that there will be plentiful supply of milk. A calm, cheerful and slim woman has more milk than a resentful and peevish large-breasted woman. Necessary care should be taken to keep the breast clean or there is danger of the nipples becoming cracked or sore. The nipples should be washed often, particularly after breastfeeding. If there is any pain or inflammation in the breasts, consult a doctor or apply some herbal lotion on the breasts.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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