Tag:breastfeeding toddler, breastmilk

My boy is now 19 months old and is still breastfeeding.

He loves the comfort of being held by his mum. Not sure whether there is any more breastmilk at this stage but he seems to be sucking away. While browsing the net to find the answer to my question whether there is still breastmilk supply, I came across this article written by Dr Jack Newman, the breastfeeding expert, which I would like to share with you who may have the same question in mind. 

Breastfeeding a toddler - why on earth?

Because more and more women are now breastfeeding their babies, more and more are also finding that they enjoy breastfeeding enough to want to continue longer than the usual few months they initially thought they would do it. UNICEF has long encouraged breastfeeding for two years and longer, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is now on record as encouraging mothers to nurse at least one year and as long after as both mother and baby desire. Breastfeeding to 3 and 4 years of age has been common in much of the world until recently, and breastfeeding toddlers is still common in many societies. 

 Why should breastfeeding continue past six months?

Because mothers and babies often enjoy breastfeeding a lot. Why stop an enjoyable relationship?

But it is said that breastmilk has no value after six months.

Perhaps this is said, but it is wrong. That anyone can say such a thing only shows how ignorant so many people in our society are about breastfeeding. Breastmilk is, after all, milk. Even after six months, it still contains protein, fat, and other nutritionally important and appropriate elements which babies and children need. Breastmilk still contains immunologic factors which help protect the baby. In fact, some immune factors in breastmilk which protect the baby against infection are present in greater amounts in the second year of life than in the first. This is, of course as it should be, since children older than a year are generally exposed to more infection. Breastmilk still contains factors which help the immune system to mature, and which help the brain, gut, and other organs to develop and mature.It has been well shown that children in daycare who are still breastfeeding have far fewer and less severe infections than the children who are not breastfeeding. The mother thus loses less work time if she continues nursing her baby once she is back at her paid work.It is interesting that formula company marketing pushes the use of formula (a rather imperfect copy of the real thing) for a year, yet implies that breastmilk (from which the imperfect copy is copied) is only worthwhile for 6 months. Too many health professionals have taken up the refrain.

I have heard that the immunologic factors prevent the baby from developing his own immunity if I breastfeed past six months.

This is untrue; in fact, this is absurd. It is unbelievable how so many people in our society twist around the advantages of breastfeeding and turn them into disadvantages. We give babies immunizations so that they are able to defend themselves against the real infection. Breastmilk also allows the baby to be fight off infections. When the baby fights off these infections, he becomes immune. Naturally.

But I want my baby to become independent.

And breastfeeding makes the toddler dependent? Don’t believe it. The child who breastfeeds until he weans himself (usually from 2 to 4 years), is generally more independent, and, perhaps more importantly, more secure in his independence. He has received comfort and security from the breast, until he is ready to make the step himself to stop. And when he makes that step himself, he knows he has achieved something, he knows he has moved ahead. It is a milestone in his life.Often we push children to become “independent” too quickly. To sleep alone too soon, to wean from the breast too soon, to do without their parents too soon, to do everything too soon. Don’t push and the child will become independent soon enough. What’s the rush? Soon they will be leaving home. You want them to leave home at 14? Of course, breastfeeding can, in some situations, be used to foster an overdependent relationship. But so can food and toilet training. The problem is not the breastfeeding. This is another issue.

What else?

Possibly the most important aspect of nursing a toddler is not the nutritional or immunologic benefits, important as they are. I believe the most important aspect of nursing a toddler is the special relationship between child and mother. Breastfeeding is a life affirming act of love. This continues when the baby becomes a toddler. Anyone without prejudices, who has ever observed an older baby or toddler nursing can testify that there is something almost magical, something special, something far beyond food going on. A nursing toddler will sometimes spontaneously break into laughter for no obvious reason. His delight in the breast goes far beyond a source of food. And if the mother allows herself, breastfeeding becomes a source of delight for her as well, far beyond the pleasure of providing food. Of course, it’s not always great, but what is? But when it is, it makes it all so worthwhile.And if the child does become ill or does get hurt (and they do as they meet other children and become more daring), what easier way to comfort the child than breastfeeding? I remember nights in the emergency department when mothers would walk their ill, non nursing babies or toddlers up and down the halls trying, often unsuccessfully, to console them, while the nursing mothers were sitting quietly with their comforted, if not necessarily happy, babies at the breast. The mother comforts the sick child with breastfeeding, and the child comforts the mother by breastfeeding.

Tag:breastfeeding, breastmilk storage, expressed breastmilk, working mum

Breastfeeding is encouraged for the healthy development of the baby and should continue even when the mother goes back to work. To ensure enough supply of breast milk when the mother goes back to work, it is advisable to practice breast milk expression 2 weeks before returning to work. Breast milk can be stored in the fridge for 2 days on the refrigerator shelves. It can be kept for 3 months in the refrigerator freezer.

During the 2 weeks before going back to work, express the breastmilk in the morning at 10am and feed the baby using a bottle at 11am. This is to allow the baby to get use to feeding using bottle so that you won’t have the problem of baby refusing bottle when you are not around.

In the afternoon, express the breastmilk and store in the freezer. Use a clean and sterilized milk bottle for storing and closed the cap tightly. Alternatively, you can use the disposable milk storage bag. By doing this, you should have 14 bottles of breastmilk frozen by the time you start work.

When you go back to work, feed the baby in the morning before you go to work. When you are at work, stored milk is used for the baby. At work, you should continue to express at 10am, 1pm and 4pm. Keep the expressed milk in the cooler box filled with ice. Expressed breastmilk should not be left in the room temperature at the office. Expressed milk is to be used for feeding the next day.

When at home with the baby, breastfeed directly from the breasts. During the weekends and holidays, continue to feed from the breasts and also expressing to stock up the milk. You can use hand or breast pump to express the milk.

Method of expressing

1. Express 7 minutes on each breast.

2. Stimulate further let downs with massage, stroke and shake of both breasts for a few minutes.

3. Massage the breast with the flat of the fingers.

4. Stroke with the finger nails gently towards the nipple.

5. Shake or jiggle the breasts while bending forward.

6. Express for further 7 minutes on each breast.

7. Total duration of expressing is about 30 minutes.

8. Looking at your baby’s picture or listening to a recording of his cry while expressing also help in breast milk let down.

Tag:babies, breast milk, breastfeeding, newborns

The information given here will help the mother to breastfeed successfully. The supportive role of the father is of utmost importance. The mother needs support and encouragement from him to build up the confidence that she has enough milk. Having enough information prevents breastfeeding problems and crisis and provides the solutions to these should they arise. The baby can be breastfed for 6 months, thereafter solids are given together with breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond.

Tips on breastfeeding.

1. Feed early

Within 1/2 hour of birth in the labour ward. First feed lasts for 10-20 minutes. During the first day, baby will normally feed 5-6 times.

2. Feed frequently

Room in with the baby while in the hospital. This will encourage bonding between the mother and the baby. From second day onwards, baby feeds about 1 1/2 to 2 hourly. Baby feeds about 10-12 times per 24 hours. Each feed last for 20-40 minutes or more. There is no limit to duration or frequency of feeds to satisfy suckling needs of the baby. There is no need to time the baby and feed the baby whenever he is hungry. At night, feed 2 hourly before 12 midnight, and then at 2 to 3am and again at 5-6 am. Try to sleep with the baby in the same bed.

3. Feed properly.

Hold the baby at breast level, lying on his side and chest to chest. Stimulate the rooting reflex with the nipple touching the baby’s lips. Quickly bring baby to breast when his mouth opens wide. Baby latches on properly and this will prevents sore nipples, when the nipple and much of the areola are in the baby’s mouth. Allow the baby to suckle till the baby sleeps and lets go of the nipple himself. Do not pull the baby off the nipple when he is still latched on. When the baby is off the nipple, and cries, put him back on the same breast. Allow him to complete one feed on one breast. Feed on the other breast at the next feed. 1 to 2 hours later. Colostrum is more than enough for the baby till mature milk comes in. There is no need to give water, glucose or formula milk to the baby. Avoid bottles and pacifiers and other artificial nipples as these may cause nipple confusion and breast rejection.

4. How much is enough?

Baby has enough milk if he is contented for 1 to 2 hours after a feed, passes clear dilute urine 5 to 6 times a day, passes bright yellow watery stools 6 to 8 times a day, puts on at least 20 grams of body weight a day and regains birth weight after 2 weeks.

5 Breast milk supply

Breast milk supply can be increased by frequent feeds day and night and allowing unlimited breastfeeding to satisfy baby’s suckling needs. Mother must eat and drink sufficient quantities to satisfy her hunger and thirst. For Asians, cultural food like ginger and rice wine are compatible with breastfeeding.

6. Breast engorgement

If the breasts are engorged, apply cold wet compresses over the breast to reduce swellings. Feed frequently 2 to 3 hourly round the clock. If pain is felt, it is safe to take Paracetamol.

7. Maternal / infant illness

It is safe to breastfeed even when mother or baby has illness. Most drug medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Do let the doctor know that you are breastfeeding and consult the doctor if you are not sure whether the medication given is safe to take. Maternal Mastitis can be treated with antibiotics for 10 days while continue breastfeeding from both breasts. Neonatal jaundice is compatible with full breastfeeding.

8. Working mum

Working and breastfeeding is possible by storing expressed breast milk in the freezer.

Article courtesy of Dr SL Koe Paediatrician & Lactation Consultant.

Tag:baby, breast milk, breastfeeding, milk, newborn

Breastfeeding is natural and no doubt, the best food you can give your baby. In addition to giving complete nutrition to your baby, it offers protection against infection, and fosters that special bond between mother and child which is crucial for baby’s healthy psychological development. Also the composition of breast milk changes daily to match your baby’s evolving needs for rapid growth and development.

The benefits of breastfeeding to the child.

1. This provides the best possible nutrition to the child.

2. It reduces the incidence of coughs and colds, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhoea through its protective factors.

3. It protects the child from colic, asthma, eczema, nose and food allergies.

4. It is essentials for optimal physical, emotional and mental development of the child.

5. Breastfed children are smarter.

The benefits of breastfeeding to the mother.

1. This promotes mother and child bonding.

2. It prevents uterine bleeding in the mother after delivery.

3. This is a natural form of family planning.

4. This reduces the risks of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.

5. This saves time and precious expenses need not be used for buying milk powder and providing health care.