Breastfeeding is basically defined as the natural act of the infant being fed milk that is produced in the breast of the mother. Breast milk is extremely healthy for the newborn child as it provides the baby with all the essential nutrients required to keep the baby healthy and even help it in the later years of its life. A baby who is on a breastfeeding diet is able to be protected from any possible infections, protected from future allergies, is able to grow a healthy set of teeth and is also able to have a stable and healthy development of the brain.
Additionally it has been observed that breast milk is also much easier to digest for the baby as compared to the baby formula that is easily available in the market. However many a times women also tend to experience certain breastfeeding problems such as low quantity or quality of milk which may be on account of the mother following a poor breastfeeding diet, or a diet that is high in caffeine, consumption of antibiotics while breastfeeding etc. In such cases, doctors will always provide breastfeeding advice to the mother to keep following a healthy well balanced diet even after the delivery as the baby is solely dependent on the mother’s milk for its nutrition. Sometimes breastfeeding and pumping may not be a healthy combination as using a breast pump may adversely affect the production of milk.
One of the main reasons why doctors advice that babies should be solely fed breast milk because the mother’s breasts tend to secrete colostrum for the initial days after the child is born.
Colustrum is known to be high in proteins and also boosts the child nervous system besides promoting the growth and development of bone, skin collagen, cartilage, helps the body burn fat and also to build lean muscle. Another common breastfeeding problems are engorgement of the breasts which may be experienced by women in the initial two to three weeks post delivery. Engorgement mostly occurs because of excessive filling of the breast with milk along with fluid retention and even blood in the same area. Women who face the problem of breast engorgement are known to experience fullness in the breasts that also feel tight, painful, overly sensitive and hard. Some women may even develop a fever and on account of the engorged breast the baby may find it difficult to latch on and to suck.
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