Breast Feeding

Must do for mom's

Fluid Intakes
Drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. At least 8 to 12 galsses of fluids everyday is must. Keep sippinbg water, milk or juice while nursing your baby. Fluids like milk and juice provide extra nutrients required by the mother.

Normanl problems-
Breast-feeding is a loving and convenient way to nurture your baby. However there are some problems challenges too

Engorgement
The breasts sometimes become hot, hard, and swollen also known as engorgement. You can apply ice packs on your breasts to reduce the swelling.Also a warm shower compresses the milk flowing. However nursing your baby is the best solution. Prolonged seperation from your baby may result in breasts becoming overly full. You can express milk by hand or with a breast pump when nursing isn't possible.

Clogged milk ducts
A sore, hard spot on the breast is often caused by a clogged milk duct. Frequent nursing, warm showers and massaging the breast while the baby is nursing is suggested.

Mastisis-
Sometimes a hot, red and sore area develops in your breast. This is accompanied by fever and flu-like symptoms. This is a breast infection called mastitis. It's best to consult a doctor in this case.

Sore nipples-
If the baby is secured rightly there should should not be any pain. If there is pain then the baby needs to be repositioned at your breast. Soreness can also be due to cracked skin. Rinse your nipples in plain water and expose them to the air for a few minutes after nursing. Don't use soap on the area as it dries the nipples.

Always take the advice of a while you are still in the hospital. So that if a problem occur later at home you can consult him/ her.

Special circumstances

Illness-
Usually you can continue feeding during most illnesses. However if the mother has untreated tuberculosis, chicken pox, an active herpes lesion on the breast or is HIV positive then feeding should be stopped.

When the baby is sick
Feeding during diarrhea or a fever helps prevent dehydration and speedens the babies recovery. Even a vomiting baby be fed a small quantity of breast milk.

There are mothers who nurse a child while they are pregnant with another. However their babieswean due to changes in the supply of their mother's milk and it's taste. Pregnant mothers need to eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of rest.

Nursing more than one-
Nursing more than one is often impossible. But for mothers it's a matter of supply and demand. The more you feed them, more will be the milk supplied.