What's important to know about breastfeeding?
Breast milk is a specific food of the human species.
The milk changes its composition in time, according to the child's needs:
Initially, the colostrum contains antibodies for the child's immature imune system, then mature milk contains nutritious substances perfectly balanced to the infant's needs; this nutrition is adapted to the new born's still immature digestive system.
Mature milk first satifies thirst, then hunger.
It is at optimal temperature, sterile, ready at any moment, exactly in the desired quantity and comes with the comfort of the mother's embrace.
If at first you have difficulty breastfeeding, or you want to get informed and ready for breastfeeding, the Support for refugee women program can help guide you toward the counselling and prenatal education services that you need, no matter where in Romania you live.
Trust in yourself
Breastfeeding is learned, and sometimes it can be very hard on you, or tiering to go on breastfeeding. The IBCLC Breastfeeding consultants can offer you support and a plan for the following period.
Sometimes you need to receive a lot of support and recommendations based on evidence, to recover your confidence in your own strength.
Sometimes breastfeeding can't be exclusive and you will receive solutions for completing the breastfeeding diet with formula. Other times, breastfeeding doesn't happen at all and this can affect you if you wish to breastfeed.
The call centre available at +40724772211 can be useful to you regardless of if you need a IBCLC consultant for breastfeeding, a midwife or a psychologist.
ADVANTAGES
For children
It helps with optimal development of the brain, digestive system and sight.
Protects from unwanted infections because of a lack of preparation and because of the antibodies present in it.
Protects from allergies.
Lowers the risk of obesity.
Lowers the risk of some diseases (rickets, lymphoma, diabetes) and the risk of sudden death.
Maternal milk is the ideal model that powdered milk formula strives for.
For the mother
Helps with the contraction of the uterus post birth and lowers the risk of post partum depression.
Helps with loss of extra pregnancy weight.
Lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Helps with creating a bond between infant and mother.
Has a contraceptive effect.
Lowers the risk of osteoporosis.
The mother can travel with ease and no money spent on formula, baby bottles, spout cups, pacifiers.
Less frequent illness and saves time spent on the procurement and preparation of formula and baby cup sterilisation
WHO recommendations:
Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months + vitamin D.
Maternal milk should be the staple food for the first year of life.
Breastfeeding can continue for up to 2 years and beyond.
Breastfeeding contraindications
Neoplasm
Newborns under 1000 g or 32 weeks
Severe dismaturity
Congenital metabolic diseases
Significant dehydration
Active TB
HIV positive
Psychosis, eclampsia, shock
Certain medication, very rarely
Hospitals that respect the Friend of the Child Standard should:
- Display a written policy regarding breastfeeding
- Newborns don't receive other food or liquids
- The staff is trained
- Pregnant women are informed well in advance
- Rooming-in
- Breastfeeding starts from the first 30-60 minutes after birth
- Support for breastfeeding and maintenance of milk secretion
- Without pacifiers or spout cups
- Breastfeeding on demand
- Breastfeeding support groups
In Romania, the Standard for Friend of the Child hospitals is not implemented nor coordinated by the Ministry of Health, it is under the aegis of the National Management Authority for Quality in Health. Presently, very few maternity hospitals meet this Standard, so it is expected that you'll find little support for breastfeeding within them.
Advice for future mothers
Brestfeed the child as soon as possible after birth; the ideal period is the first hour after birth (the child is alert)
Ensure the correct position of the child at your breast, with the mouth wide open, lips parted, attachment and suction from the brest not nipple and ear/shoulder/hip aligned
Breastfeed on demand (requires rooming-in)
Avoid silicon-made guards, "shells", baby/sippy cups and pacifiers
Breastfeeding on demand is one of the main factors that help with the maintenance of optimal lactate secretion.
There's no correct time for breastfeeding, nor fixed quantity of milk.
The baby can be fed however often it wants to, no fewer than 8 meals/24 hours.
They can suck from 10 minutes to an hour.
Until they gain back the weight form birth (between 10 to 14 days) they need to be fed up to a maximum of 4 hours.
They can eat only a few mililiters per meal, then 200 ml the next.
The child knows how much milk they need and when they need it.
The advantages of breastfeeding on demand:
The lactal secretion kicks in more quickly
The child loses less weight
Breast angulation is more rare
The technique of sucking is easier learned
The chances of prolonged breastfeeding get better
The mother-child bonding is facilitated