Pregnancy week 36 , with your delivery approaching soon, it's the ideal time to learn more about breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a topic to consider in lieu of your pending delivery. It is recommended that all healthy mothers consider breastfeeding their infants exclusively for the first 6 months. After that, combination with other food types is recommended to meet your infant's nutritional requirements.
Breastfeeding has benefits for both you and your newborn:
- Decreased incidence and severity of infections in newborns
- Lower risk of allergy in infants with a family history
- Lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer in breastfeeding mothers
- Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight
Breastfeeding positions that help: Football or cradle hold
Breastfeeding can be quite a tricky task. You may encounter the challenge of getting your baby to attach to the nipple correctly, while others may not get their baby to suck out sufficient milk.
Using a football hold or cradle hold and positioning your breast such that a large amount of it enters your baby's mouth usually helps counteract these problems.
Difficulty breastfeeding in the hospital? Ask for help!
We have an in-house lactation consultant during the weekdays to assist new mums who have just delivered. She can teach you proper expressing and breastfeeding techniques. Also, if the milk supply is not optimal, there are herbs and medications (such as Fenugreek and Domperidone) which are safe in breastfeeding which can help to optimise your supply.
Breastfeed your baby 8 to 10 times daily for the first 8 weeks
Regular breastfeeding helps maintain a continuous supply of milk and also prevents your breast from becoming engorged and painful. A general rule of thumb would be to breastfeed your infant 8-10 times a day for the initial 4-8 weeks.
If you have difficulty with this time commitment, you can always express their milk for later. Various milk formula and breastfeeding combinations are also possible. Should you have any questions, feel free to use the contacts below.
Breast friends for breastfeeding!
For help on breastfeeding, please call:
-
KKH Lactation Service
+65 6225 5554
(Our Call Centre Assistants will help you contact our Lactation Consultants to return your call or to arrange an appointment to see them at the Lactation Clinic) -
Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group
+65 6339 3558 -
Joyful Parenting and Breastfeeding Hotline
+65 6488 0286
Ref: M19
Contributed by
Stay Healthy the Easy Way
Get trusted health advice, offers and more.
Get the Health Buddy App
Get it on Google Play