What can I do to prepare my body for a successful breastfeeding journey?

What can I do to prepare my body for a successful breastfeeding journey?

breastfeeding

Q: I’m carrying my first child, is there something i can do to prepare my body in order to have a successful breastfeeding journey?

Answered by: Dr Ida Lilywaty Md Latar, Obstetrics and Gynaecologist (O&G), Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)

 


Breastfeeding is one of most valuable experience women may have during motherhood. It has tremendous benefit for mothers, babies as well as the relationship between the two. To increase the chances of being satisfied and happy with breastfeeding experience, women will want to do some essential things to prepare them for breastfeeding. These can be done even during the pregnancy itself and continued after the delivery of the baby.

 

1) Equipped yourself with knowledge

It is essential for women to equip themselves with adequate knowledge on breastfeeding, its advantages and possible barrier to improve the successful outcome of breastfeeding. Research has shown that moms who participate in breastfeeding education will breastfeed longer and have a better chance of breastfeeding exclusively. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics and the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, there are many breastfeeding and antenatal classes that can provide breastfeeding information to mothers and their partners either in government or private setting.

 

It would be beneficial if mothers to involve their spouses or partners in gaining the knowledge have equipped themselves on these information by about 35 to 36 weeks to give ample time for themselves to be ready for the real situation after the delivery of their babies.

 

Some may also more interested in getting the information from breastfeeding books and online resources as well as joining online support groups. This is especially true as we are in the middle of a pandemic crises which makes gaining the information online seems to be more suitable and safer.

 

However, as there are many myths and misconception regarding breastfeeding among our community, cautions must be put on embracing the information from online sources as well as experience from relatives and friends. Valid information from reliable resources is crucial to avoid misinterpretation among women regarding breastfeeding.

 

2) Have a comprehensive, affordable, and achievable breastfeeding plans

Breastfeeding plans also includes place of birth, care during confinement as well as short- and long-term objectives of breastfeeding for yourself. There are many breastfeeding friendly hospitals in Malaysia. In order to assist and get more support for your breast feeding, it would be beneficial if you could plan your delivery in these hospitals as the initial part of your breastfeeding is crucial to build up your confidence and motivation for the rest of the journey.

 

Baby friendly hospitals will encourage immediate skin to skin contact of mothers and their babies, initiate breastfeeding during the first hour of your babies’ life, support rooming in among other initiatives to support breastfeeding. Thus, discussion with your obstetricians on your wishes and expectations is crucial to reach these objectives.

 

3) Optimise nutrition and hydration

It is crucial to optimise and improve your nutritional level to prepare your body for breastfeeding physically. Nutritional elements that are crucial to prepare your body for breastfeeding includes calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin, protein, carbohydrate, and fat among others. These should be balanced and in the reasonable amount to achieve good production and supply of breastmilk as well as to improve maternal wellbeing to achieve successful breastfeeding.

 

Healthy mothers physically and mentally may ensure successful breastfeeding for their babies. Maintaining good hydration is also very important to improve the outcome of breastfeeding for women.

 

4) Prepare nipples for breastfeeding

Inverted nipples are often overlooked in preparing for breastfeeding before baby arrives. It would be helpful I you could determine if your nipples variant could lead to some difficulties during breastfeeding as some breastfeeding issues may arise with flat or inverted nipples or very dense areolas.

You may get some advice and assessment with your doctor or midwife if you are concerned about how your nipples could affect breastfeeding. The preparation for this includes wearing breast shells for inverted nipples to help them come out. Nipple everted would be helpful to tackle this situation as well. You should get comfortable with your nipples and learn how to pull them out regularly even during antenatal period should you have this issue.

 

5) Get the suitable supporting equipment

There is some equipment that may be beneficial to support your breastfeeding as to ease the yielding of breastmilk as well as the ensure comfort to give more motivation for breastfeeding mothers. These include suitable and effective breast pump as well as comfortable clothing for nursing.

 

Remember that when we mention right and comfortable, it doesn’t mean that it must be expensive as breastfeeding should not be regarded as an expensive method for mothers. Only if mothers are interested and need to get some equipment to support breastfeeding, consult your doctors and midwives on suitability of each to make spending more efficient and fruitful.

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