The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to nurture and bond with your baby. It is a natural process that can be challenging initially until you get used to it. The baby is not the only beneficiary, the mother also benefits from breastfeeding. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and baby by stimulating the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which also helps the uterus to return to size before pregnancy. Breast milk is convenient, requires no preparation and is always available. Another advantage: breastfeeding can lower the risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding can also help you lose weight gained during pregnancy by using some of the fat accumulated during this period. Thus, you lose weight in the right place for your body. But do not worry if your weight does not decrease rapidly as your body will need fat as your baby grows and demands more milk. 

In the early days of breastfeeding, you may notice that your milk is a thick yellowish substance. Don't worry, this is perfectly normal. At this stage you produce so-called colostrum, which is your baby's first meal and also his first immunization against disease. At this stage, the amount of colostrum that will fit your baby's stomach is one teaspoon of fluid, so your baby will not need much to be satisfied. Two to five days after your baby is born, you will notice that the milk becomes creamier. This milk is produced in the transition from colostrum to mature milk. Mature breast milk begins to be produced days after your baby is born and goes into full production by the end of the second week. Mature milk is lighter and thinner than colostrum, and at first - called anterior milk - is similar to skim milk, but it gets creamy over the breastfeeding, i.e., the later milk. 

Breast milk production is based on supply and demand, so the more you breastfeed or pump the milk, the more milk you produce. Pump milking can help if you are returning to work and still want to breastfeed, or if you want to keep production when your baby does not want to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it may take time for you and your baby to get into an established routine. In fact, many moms need help at some point. Read more about breastfeeding newborns and get valuable tips for first breastfeeding. You can also seek help from a breastfeeding consultant to help you learn breastfeeding techniques. 

References:

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics#1

https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding/mums-journey/breastfeeding-benefits-baby