Mothers milk – the best natural food for babies After giving birth due to hormones in the mother’s body, the milk is being produced automatically. Only breast feeding means that baby gets only mother milk, or is getting the milk from other nurse without adding any other liquids of solid foods. Mother’s milk is the best food for the newborn, and breast feeding only is recommended for at least a year (according to Children diary Protocol in B&H). Mother’s milk is precisely adapted to the newborn’s needs. Besides nutrients it also contains antibodies for protection from infections. Breast feeding represses the allergies and improves the emotional linkage between mother and a child. For successful breast feeding you should only know some basic principles, if possible before giving birth. You should also know how to remove some potential problems with the breast feeding.

Production of mother’s milk During the pregnancy, in the woman’s organism changes are happening. These changes cause the growth of breasts. Immediately after giving birth, the milk is being produced. First milk that is ready is called colostrums and it creates the antibodies for protection in the baby’s intestines. This milk contains all necessary matters for the baby’s development. These matters are: proteins, vitamins, fats, etc. The age of the baby determines the ingredients and amount of mild produced in the mother’s body. This regulation system can be interrupted by feeding baby with milk from the bottle or tea. If baby is less breast feed, the amount of milk produced is being reduced.

Table of some nutrient ingredients in mother’s milk

Breast feeding advantages Main function of breast feeding is obviously feeding the baby, however, it is very important in the emotional part in the mother-baby relationship. It also helps mothers to recover from giving birth. During breast feeding, hormone oxytocin is being produced and it is important while this hormone works as a pain killer after giving birth.

The most important advantages of breast feeding are:

For a baby:
    - ideal composition of milk
    - allergy protection
    - protection from infections
    - better development of gums and mandibles

    - easier digestion
    - reduction of risk of getting diseases such as: children’s diabetes, carcinoma, ear infections, overweight, sudden death syndrome etc.

For a mother:
    - easy to perform, without previous preparations
    - Reduction of breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer
    - Calming effect
    - help with preventing next pregnancy
    - faster process of loosing extra weight and faster physical recovery

For both:
    - Physical contact
    - Emotional link between mother and a child

For a family:
    - Emotional and economical

Wish and intent for breast feeding – a key to success Breast feeding is a natural process; however it has to be learned. In the past, the breast feeding was learned from the advices from the previous generations. Today, mothers get advices from nurses and midwives. Self-confidence is a key to success in breast feeding. Successful process begins with mother’s cognition and intention: I want to breast feed my baby!

Correct breast feeding During the breast feeding it is necessary to insure milk inflow. In some women’s bodies, the milk cause as soon as baby comes near the breasts, and some women need baby to suck the milk strongly. You need quite and peaceful environment for the breast feeding. Yu also need enough time and comfortable position, weather you are lying or sitting. With one hand you should hold your baby and with other your breast, using your forefinger and thumb to put the nipple into newborn’s mouth. Make sure not the hurt the nipple during the first feedings. Breathing through the nose should not be disturbed. In order to feed your baby correctly, baby should hold the breast correctly – lower mandible should be to the lowest possible position from the bottom of the nipple. If the position is correct, we can see how, with every suck of milk, baby’s mandibles move. Sometimes, babies move even their ears.

Baby is fed with the mouth widely open and with active tongue. If the nipple hurts, the position is not the correct one, in the most cases. Pain is caused because baby moves the tongue over the nipple instead over the breast. There should be no time limitation for the breast feeding. The length of the feeding could vary during the day. After first couple of days, the feedings can be done more often, during day and nights. The most important is that baby is breast fed whenever he/she requires. On the beginning, baby gets milk with less fat, and later on, milk gets more and more fats. For the baby, the most important is the balance between first and the last milk coming from a breast. Therefore, it is the best to feed the baby from one breast, and offer the other one only if baby wants more. In the first couple of days of feeding, the most comfortable position for the mother could be to lie sidelong, facing her baby. If a mother is sitting during the feeding, she should be sitting with straight backs or gently leaned forwards with straight lap. It is easier to move baby towards breast than stretch breast towards baby. If baby is not brought by breast in the right way, it will not be fed properly and the whole process will cause pain. Breasts and nipples do not need any special treatment during the pregnancy and breast feeding.

For successful breast feeding you should know basic principles/steps

       - you should strongly believe that you can breast feed your baby.
       - make sure that you are in the quite environment during the breast feeding and that you have enough time for it
       - two main things are important till you catch the rhythm of breast feeding: patience and persistence
       - you should drink at least 2 l of liquid per day
       - First breast feed, if possible, should be done within the one hour after giving birth
       - you should get some information about the position for the breast feeding before
       - during the breast feed, the breast should not sleeve out from baby’s mouth.
       - during the first couple of weeks baby will want to eat 8-10 times per day.
       - breast feeding only means that baby gets only mother’s milk, without any other additives¸¸
       - do not add any other food to baby’s diet
       - as baby grows, the production of milk in the mother’s body is increasing
       - breast feed you baby as long as it makes pleasure for you (Worlds Health Organization proposes two years and more)
       - children that are older than 6 months should have other food besides breast-feeding.

Breast Feeding Stop You should breast feed your baby as long as you can. It is recommendation of Federal Ministry of health and Ministry of health social care to breast-feed the babies for at least a year. Mothers’ milk should be gradually changed by other foods. This way, the production of mild is being reduced which also affects the quantity of milk that baby gets.