MUCH of a pregnancy journey, carrying out breast-feeding is jam-packed of highs and lows, fears and tears, there are essential benefits, yet, there are challenges, and there is also pain, particularly in the beginning stages. In other words, breast-feeding is especially valuable but never unproblematic.
As breast-feeding is deemed to be someway painful and the baby’s need to be constantly nursed can imply two different meanings of either aching or overwhelming for breast-feeding mothers, nourishing mothers badly need support. Moreover, when mothers consider something is improper and agonizing, they should not hesitate to seek for some help. Most of the time, the agony or suffering of breastfeeding is just a matter of getting the right latching done, a change of breast-feeding position to find peace and sanity, or the involvement of helpful tools and supplements for more comfortable breast-feeding for both the baby and the mommy.
To make breast-feeding more comfortable and less stressful, here are few tools and supplements from rappler.com that can help you become a breast-feeding professional:
Lactation supplements or enhancers
Breast-feeding mothers are required to start early and nurse frequently as they can, so that they can be assured of sufficient milk supply. While some babies could be voracious feeders even in the first month, it is a significant move that the mother’s body produces ample amount of milk.
At this stage, lactation may come substantial. Filipino mothers lean on malunggay as their breast-feeding buddy. A study of the Department of Pediatrics of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in 2000 revealed that eating malunggay leaves is helpful in enhancing lactation, and suggested the routine consumption of malunggay among mothers increases lactation and ensures an ample supply of breast milk. For optimal breast-milk production, oatmeal, tinola and ginisang munggo can also enhance lactation. Furthermore, malunggay can also effectively relive constipation and normalizes blood sugar level.
However, not all malunggay supplements are created equal, thus, you have to make certain the malunggay supplement you will obtain is clinically proven as a lactation enhancer.
NipPle cream, virgin oil or your own breast milk
Babies have the tendency to wreak havoc on poor powerless breast nipples. This havoc could connote something from sore to cracked and bleeding nipples. Once a mother got her latching right, she can now work on healing the wounds. And of the effective three options stated above, the most economical is breast milk.
Breast milk is utterly effective in curing injured nipples and areolas. The breast milk is also a best choice if the mom has thrush—the yeast infection on the skin of the nipple, which can also be found inside the baby’s mouth, because certain nipple creams encourage the growth of this infection. In the world of creams, lanolin is top of mind.
The moisturizing emollient encourages faster healing of injured nipples while preventing scabs from forming. Make sure the lanolin cream is 100-percent natural, hypoallergenic and preservative-free.
Why look far if treatment can be found simply in our households? Extra virgin oil or coconut oil are suggested by a lot of mothers and are just as safe and effective. Truly, relief can also be found in the kitchen.
Breast pads and nipple shields
Dripping and leaking breast milk is considerably one breast-feeding challenge and it happens in no definite time.
While the good thing is that the mother’s body is taking proper cue from the little one’s feeding habits and that the mother is producing sufficient milk, you can be spared from the shame or embarrassment, as breast caps come in round disposable cotton or washable pads, and can be simply be inserted inside the bra cup.
Nipple guards or shields catch the leaking milk and help protect wounded nipples and ease engorgement. You put them in your nipples as protection against chaffing and irritation from clothing, especially when they are sore or cracked. While nipple guards do a great job of protecting your nipples from further injury, they may cut down the amount of milk that your baby can get from you. If your baby is not directly in contact with the breast, he won’t be able to suck well.
Breast Pump
Working moms love breast pump because it is more convenient and effective in storing milk. Breast pumps come in manual and electric types. Manual pumps are cheaper but there are more parts to take apart and carefully wash with each use. Some mothers also find it more painful to use.
Full-time working mothers prefer to choose electric pumps as they are easier to transport and carry around, and they are durable enough for mothers that would be pumping every three to four hours in a day.
Nursing clothes
A powerful nursing bra is good,but consider having a couple of nursing attire, as well. The beauty of nursing clothes is that they look like regular clothes—they come in tank tops, short-and long-sleeved shirts—but tank tops come with straps that can be unclasped, and shirts are in a crossover design that can easily be pulled down for discreet feeding. They are ingenious and won’t make you look frumpy.