Before baby is born is a great time to learn about breastfeeding. There are a few things considered essential in antenatal education to dispel some myths on breastfeeding. Not everyone intends to breastfeed or chest-feed but it's important to know that our bodies get ready to feed regardless of our preference. It's common and beneficial to the success of the future milk supply capacity to notice breast changes during pregnancy. Colostrum and early milk is present in small or tiny amounts due to the hormones of late pregnancy and around the time of birth. After the approximately 3-5 day milk 'coming-in' post birth, milk production continues on a 'supply-demand' basis or as I like to say "the frequency of breastfeeds today builds the milk supply for tomorrow".
There are many facts that you may find interesting. Did you know that mother's milk changes flavour, colour and composition depending on the what we eat, what age our babies are, how long we feed for? A typical feed time is 16 mins but this an average as feeds could be as short as two minutes or some early feeds might stretch over 1 hour with a very sleepy baby. Did you know that women tend to produce more milk in the right breast? Learning how the physiology of breastfeeding work will help inform new parents to avoid common pitfalls whether they decide to feed baby directly, express or choose an combination method with formula milk.
For those intending to breastfeed it can be a relief to know research has found there is no difference between the amount of time breastfed Vs bottle-fed babies spend asleep in 24 hours. Phew! The natural variation between babies' sleep time is due to many individual factors and sleep needs may actually run in families. Happy news for breastfeeding mothers, according to one study there is an added bonus of 40-45min extra sleep per night during the first 3 months for parents when compared to bottle feeding/ supplementation at night.
It's helpful for pregnant parents to learn that common breastfeeding problems are frequently due latching or positioning of the baby during a feed. During antenatal class we practice holds/ positions and ways partners can support and stay included. Postnatal wards in hospitals are busy places so its always a good idea to learn about the basics of feeding while still pregnant. Babies will feed often so it's good to be aware that is normal. Also conflicting advice can be a problem so having a trusted point of contact will be super helpful. For any special concerns or for simple support visit look into groups such as Cuidiu, La Leche League, Friends of Breastfeeding or health care professional such as the community lactation consultants in your hospital or local health centre and independent IBCLC professionals.
The health benefits of breastfeeding for both the birth parent and for the baby is impressive. Did you know it reduces a women’s overall risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes? How great is it that babies will also benefit from the immune boosting properties of mothers milk that contains a special growth factor to ‘seal’ the lining of GI tract or gut. Breastfeeding is not all about the milk either and is a wonderful tool for parenting and it promoted bonding and closeness.
As an antenatal educator my take home message for you is every breastfeed is a positive act. You as a parent get to set your own personal feeding goals, whatever that looks like, and with whatever supports or tools available to them. And sometimes this evolves with time and experience so just know that supports exist and are linked below.