Breast feeding

There's a right way--and a wrong way--for baby to latch onto the breast. When baby latches on correctly, mother's nipples don't get sore and baby is able to get plenty of milk.

The easiest way to learn about good latch-on is in a one-on-one session with a knowledgeable Lactation Consultant, who can show you, rather than tell you, how to get your baby latched-on correctly

Nipples may become cracked or fissured with breastfeeding, especially during the first few days. The pressure on nipple tissue from the infant's sucking, increased moisture on the nipple, improper infant positioning during breast feeding, not completely emptying the breast of milk, and the frequency of breast feeding can all contribute to sore nipples that become cracked and fissured. The new mother will also have a lowered resistance to illness. Then, commonly, the mother's breast becomes infected from a strain of bacteria passed into a milk duct from the mouth, nose, or throat of her infant. In most cases, only one breast is affected. Postpartum mastitis usually develops 2 to 3 weeks after delivery (postpartum) but may occur up to 3 months later.

Mothers must be educated to recognize their child's hunger and satiety cues accurately. Feeding problems in infants are usually minor but can cause severe anxiety in parents. If they are not addressed, they can also have serious consequences.

Rather than worrying and wondering about whether your breastfed baby is getting enough milk, check the following signs. Number of wet diapers, number & nature of bowel movements & weight gain.

Naturally the best way to remove milk from your breast is by feeding your baby, but there may be occasions when this is not possible and you need to express your milk. Perhaps

• your baby is premature or unable to suck well
• your baby is in hospital and you can't be there for every feed
• you are in hospital and your baby can't be there for every feed
• you have returned to work, study or other commitments
• you are leaving your baby with a sitter while you are out, or
• your breasts sometimes feel too full and uncomfortable.

You need to learn the following aspects:

• Expressing by hand
• How to use a breast pump
•  How often and how much to express
• How to store breastmilk
• Thawing and warming expressed milk

There are many different kinds and styles of breast pumps to choose from, and the vast array available to the mother can sometimes be confusing.

The kind of breast pump you decide to buy should be based on several factors, such as

• How often you are going to need to pump milk for your baby
• Manual or electric
• Automatic or semiautomatic
• Cost

Weaning can be a difficult time for both mother and baby, but doing it gradually with lots of love can ease the transition.

You need to know:

How long should you breastfeed your baby?

When and how should you start weaning him / her off the breast?