Who all can help?
It may seem paradoxical that something as natural as breastfeeding needs assistance; and truly a majority of women (the luckier ones) do not need any help at all. However there are circumstances where help or support is indeed required to establish and maintain breast-feeding. Occasionally in a busy hospital setup the doctors and staff may not be able to provide extra time to sit and counsel or guide the mother for breastfeeding.
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What are the circumstances under which a mother may stop breast feeding earlier?
- In increasingly nuclear family setups the new mother may not have senior women relatives to support and empathize with them
- Working mothers may have deadline to join work back and may be pressurized to introduce top feeding earlier or the workplace may not be conducive for the mother to express milk
- Advertisements of chubby babies drinking formula milk may entice a mother to introduce top feeding
- Our society too does not encourage breast-feeding in public leading the mother to feel shy and hence resort to top feeds
Which situations demand additional help for the mother?
- In special cases like: with your first baby or if it’s an operative delivery the mother may face difficulties with initiation of breastfeeding
- If you have a preterm or sick newborn in NICU or twins; the mother may definitely need extra support
- Psychological support: Post pregnancy mother may be in an emotionally labile state. Anticipating her anxieties and queries and helping to resolve them with lots of love and patience is the key
- Infant:high in sugar and calories
Who can help me breastfeed?
Your spouse plays an important role so do your immediate family members like mother /mother in law/friends in terms of psychological/emotional support. Professional support in the form of doctors/nurses and specially trained lactation consultants are available at most hospitals.
Role of lactation consultants:
Lactation consultants are specially trained and certified professionals who work in tandem with hospitals or clinics and NICUs. They help the mothers to initiate breastfeeding and support throughout to maintain breastfeeding. They assess and solve the problems like poor latching, positioning, suckling issues etc.
Although breastfeeding should come naturally to mothers, the current practical situation warrants preparedness.
The reasons are manifold:
So how do I prepare myself?
A positive and confident attitude with the right preparation will prepare you for breastfeeding. Steps taken in anticipation:
Exclusive breastfeeding is the birthright of each and every child and a baby who has been denied it has to have a strong reason. Prepare for it well in advance.
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