It's World Breastfeeding Week!

  This week amongst celebrating our BIG WIN on Steve Harvey's Funderdome. We are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week today on our blog.

World Breastfeeding Week is held annually between the 1st – 7th of August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

Over 120 countries across the world get involved in the celebration, and this year's focus falls on breastfeeding in relation to sustainability.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to save and improve the lives of children not only here in the U.S, but worldwide, yielding lifelong health benefits for infants and their mothers.

BREASTFEEDING MONTHS

  Nourishing a baby is the most beautiful as well as the difficult task for mothers. Most women get concerned about breastfeeding and wonder how long they should continue to nurse. Time, not enough energy, frequency; everything plays a key role in this decision for new mothers. But don’t worry! We have got you covered from each aspect.

Recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding:

  There are variations in the recommended time of exclusive breastfeeding. National Health and Medical Research Council situated in Australia and WHO has recommended that mothers should breastfeed their child exclusively for first 6 months. After that, they can add other foods as well along with breast milk. Most mothers continue to breastfeed from 7 months to 1 year. But it truly depends upon the decision of mother and child according to their feasibility and attachment.

The Frequency of breastfeeding:

  This is the second most commonly asked question by mothers that ask how often should they breastfeed their child each day. Well, it depends upon age. Initially, try feeding your baby 8-12 times a day and this number will continue to decrease with increased age. Average baby feels hungry after every 2-3 hours. For the very first days through months lactation specialist recommend feeding on demand.

Every woman experiences different problems in each month of breastfeeding which are viewed according to months:

1st month:

  If you start breastfeeding from birth, your baby will receive your initial milk called Colostrums that is rich in antibodies. These antibodies will strengthen your baby's immune system and protect him/her from many future diseases. The immunization and digestion of baby will get much stronger.

Be sure in the very first days the infant has a proper latch. The most important part of successful breastfeeding is the latch. If your baby is not properly latched on to your breast, feedings could become rather painful. Get your baby to latch on and stay on! There are specific techniques that can be used when latching your baby to your breast. Otherwise, it will become very difficult for him/her to feed properly and you could face cracked nipples. Watch for hunger cues and feed on demand. Don't worry, you will not overfeed. 

2nd month:

   If you have made it up to the second month then you have already saved your child from major digestive concerns.The first month is normally the most difficult, from sleepless nights to being a milk machine. Now you should make a goal to improve his/her infancy by continue to breastfeed him up until 6 months at least.

The Major concern during the second month is whether you are producing efficient amount or not. Well! You can guess it by continued monitoring of your baby's weight.

3-4 months:

   Breastfeeding your child for the 4th month provides a great protection against infections and allergies. Also, your baby's digestive system has already matured. You can also start pumping your milk now if you have to return to work. 

5-6 months:

   If you have made it up to 6 months then your compulsory work is done. You have saved your child from ear infections and allergies. His digestive system has matured perfectly. Also, you have been protected against breast cancer for the long term. According to the recommendation by experts, you can start solid food now but it would be good if you stretch breastfeeding up to 1 year. Also, breastmilk is acting as a perfect contraceptive method at this duration.

7-9 months:

   The Major development in baby's body and the brain has occurred during this duration and it’s all because of you. Your pain and effort have resulted in the perfect growth of your baby. It’s the perfect recommended time for weaning but again it’s up to you. If you are comfortable enough to still breastfeed your child then you can do so.

For 1 year:

   One year is the perfect time duration of breastfeeding your child. You have not only made the immunization of your child strong but you have also saved the money spent on artificial milk. Now average babies can easily handle most of the foods served to other family members.

When to start weaning?

   Well! As mentioned earlier, the decision to discontinue breastfeeding and starting weaning is entirely up to the mother. Breastfeeding creates a special bond between child and mother and if you don’t want to leave that then it’s totally ok. You are still protecting him from major diseases and infections through antibodies. You can start weaning whenever you are ready in the initial 2-3 years.

To conclude, though breastfeeding is a very difficult task for mothers it provides a wide range of benefits to both mother and child. So you should consider breastfeeding your child for recommended time so that your baby could flourish perfectly.

To share your views on World Breastfeeding Week, get involved in the chatter on twitter, using  #worldbreastfeedingweek .

Check out our Co-Founder on Brooklyn 12 News for their Parenting 411 Segment, talking about some of the benefits of breastfeeding.

                                           WATCH SEGMENT HERE

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Founders of Darlyng & Co., llc, the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your pediatrician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their pediatrician or other health care provider

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