Women's Health

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Breastfeeding

Preparing for motherhood + the first moments of motherhood and skin to skin care: 

A mother's milk is the perfect nutrition a child could have. It is designed to provide the infant with the nutrients he/she needs for a healthy development. Breast milk adjusts to the child's changing needs as he/she grows and protects him/her from infections and diseases. It is also easy to get and is available whenever the child needs it. Breastfeeding also helps create a strong bond between mother and her baby and helps the baby feel love and warmth.

Breastfeeding during the first hours + signs of hunger:

It is very important to breastfeed a newborn at least 8 to 12 times within a 24 hour-period during the first week of the baby's life. The infant should be fed whenever he/she shows signs of hunger. These signs may include:

• Making noises or yelling
• Crying
• Sucking on his/her fist or finger
• Placing hands in mouth  
• Moving the arms or legs
• Closing the fists tight
• Moving the head when his/her cheek or mouth is touched
• The correct positions and various positions for breastfeeding

Correct positions for breastfeeding:  

• Sit-up straight to support the back and the legs.
• Wrap your arms around the baby's back and move him/her closer to you.
• Place your hand under the baby's neck and shoulders instead of the head to allow the child to adjust his/her position when breastfeeding. You can also use various methods to support the baby's position.
• Move the baby closer to your breasts and don't bend your back.
• Check that the nipple touches the baby's upper lip. 
• Caress the child's lips with the nipple and you will notice that the child will respond by opening his/her mouth and turning the tongue downwards.
• Make sure the baby's lips are firmly closed around the nipple and part of the breast.
• It is best to alternate between breasts when feeding. If a mother breastfeeds using one breast the first time, she can use the other the next time, and so on. Make sure to clean the nipple with a wet cloth before breastfeeding.
• Low milk supply: 

Almost all women are physically capable of breastfeeding. Start breastfeeding early on after childbirth and continue doing so. The more milk the baby feeds on, the more milk the breast produces. You may experience a low milk supply for several reasons:

• If the baby is placed in an incorrect position and is not latching to the breast or is not feeding correctly.
• If the baby is not regularly feeding in enough quantities or is not being breastfed enough during the night.
• If the baby is not feeding for long enough each time.
• Adding formula to the baby's diet.
• Using a bottle to feed the baby or a pacifier to keep him/she quiet, especially during the first weeks.
• Feeling psychological pressure, pain or fatigue.
• Losing a large amount of blood during childbirth.
• Having had surgery to the breast, including some breast reduction operations.
• Some medical cases such as:  Thyroid issues, infections, polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Some medicines:  Combination birth control pills, antihistamines, and some types of herbal tee.
• Breast engorgement. 
• Pregnancy.
• Using alcohol or tobacco (smoking) products.

• Breast engorgement the third day after childbirth.

When the breast is completely filled with milk, it becomes engorged. In this case, the breast feels painful and lumpy. You can overcome this problem by watching out for signs of hunger and feeding the baby eight times or more during the day, morning and night.

 The following table offers some useful steps you can take to handle this situation:

Pain in the nipple while breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding is a natural way to feed a baby and shouldn't hurt.  If a mother is experiencing pain in the breasts or the nipples, this is usually due to the baby's incorrect feeding position. Ask for help from your doctor to identify the problem.

• Changes in the breast's skin color or temperature (breast inflammation)
• Constant fatigue
• Fever and shivers
• Red and warm lumps in the breast 

   This is often caused by an inflammation in the breast that won't harm the baby when breastfeeding from the affected breast and shouldn't stop the feedings. If you feel uncomfortable during breastfeeding, you should consult with a doctor as you may need to take antibiotics to stop the infection.

Swelling in the breast area (blocked milk ducts)

If you notice some lumpy areas in the breast, accompanied by redness and swelling, you may be experiencing blocked milk ducts. This is a common event and has several causes:

- The blockage may be due to irregular breastfeeding with large amounts of milk in the breast.

- This may be due to pressure from a bra, tight clothes, or the baby carrier strap.

To remedy the situation, you can place warm compresses on your breast 15 to 20 minutes before breastfeeding. Massage the breast gently moving inward toward the nipple. If the ducts remain blocked and breastfeeding remains uncomfortable while the baby refuses to latch, ask your doctor for help so the blockage doesn't turn into an infection.

Sore and cracked nipples:

If the breast is engorged:  

- Empty milk from the breast by breastfeeding several times or pumping milk (using a pump).

- Place warm compresses on the engorged breast.

To prevent cracks in the nipple: 

Use moisturizing creams after consulting with the doctor.

 Adding food at the end of the sixth month

Breastfeeding a child past six months has many benefits as it boosts the baby's immunity and provides the necessary nutrients for development. Some evidence points to it helping infants digest solid food. Breastfeeding also provides the balanced nutrients a baby needs. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to two years or more. 

At the beginning 

• Give the child small quantities of food: one to two spoons maximum (5-10 ml). An infant's stomach is small and only requires small quantities of food at first.
• Start with one type of food and wait two days to see if the baby exhibits any allergic reactions to it.
• The infant's development is the true sign of whether or not he/she is getting enough food.

Weaning:

Weaning a child is when a mother stops breastfeeding her child and starts introducing foods to his/her diet. This is a natural process that all children have to go through and may be a difficult stage for both mother and baby.

Effects of coffee and tea: 

Caffeine passes from the mother to her child in small quantities through breast milk. It doesn't usually affect the child when the mother is only consuming small to moderate quantities (2 to 3 cups of coffee). However, when the mother is consuming more than that, around 10 cups of coffee or more a day, signs of sleeplessness, irritability and disinterest can be seen in the baby.

Effects of fasting:

Islam allows breastfeeding mothers to break their fast during Ramadan to preserve their health and that of their children. Fasting during Ramadan depends on several factors, including the child's are and his/her need for milk. You should consult with your doctor or breastfeeding nurse to check whether or not you can fast. Studies have found that fasting does not affect a baby's health.

No significant difference was found between the health of a fasting mother and that of a mother who breastfeeds outside fasting times. A mother's body naturally adjusts to the fast and the produced milk quantities are not affected.  However, some mothers may experience dryness while they fast. Symptoms include: 

• Constant thirst 
• Changes in the color of urine 
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue 
• Dry mouth and eyes 
• Severe headache 

If you experience some of these symptoms, break your fast immediately.

General guidelines for breastfeeding mothers during Ramadan: 

• Get enough rest during the day. 
• Make sure to eat varied and healthy foods over multiple periods. 
• Make sure you consume enough liquids and drink enough water all the time. 
• Do not skip the Suhur meal as it provides you with the energy you need during the day. 
• Consult with your doctor to see if you need vitamins or food supplements.  
   

Contact your doctor in case: 

• The number of wet diapers the baby produces is reduced   
• If the baby is not satisfied with the produced milk and asks for more 
• If the baby looses weight or maintains the same weight 

 For further information:

• Breastfeeding.pdf
• Nutrition During Pregnancy.pdf