Medical studies over
many decades together with the experience of both mothers
and babies over the years have come to the conclusion
that breast milk is best for babies, being perfectly
suited to both nourish babies and protect them from
illness. Although the primary benefit of breast milk
to babies is nutritional, strong and early boding of
mother and baby is another benefit. No baby is allergic
to his mother’s milk although he may sometimes
have a reaction to something a mother has eaten. Such
a reaction can easily be resolved by a change in the
mother’s diet. In addition, breast milk is always
sterile and never contaminated by polluted water or
dirty bottles. Breast fed babies are also protected
from many illnesses. Breast milk is easier to digest
than formula and although bottle fed babies tend to
be fatter than breast fed babies, this not mean they
are healthier.
There are advantages too for the mother herself as
breast feeding helps in her postpartum recovery and
lessens the risk of breast cancer. The uterus is helped
to contract back to its normal size more quickly and
breast feeding delays the return of monthly periods.
The more your baby breast feeds, the more milk your
body will produce. Newborn babies will often feed
about every two hours and not always for reasons of
hunger.
In spite of the many advantages and benefits to both
the mother and baby, there can be a few inconveniences
caused to the mother. One of these may be experiencing
engorged breasts due to clogged milk ducts which in
turn can lead to mastitis and a painful infection
of the breast.
In some women, a few days after their baby is born
the milk supply comes on so quickly that the breasts
become swollen, hard and even sore. There is an increased
supply of blood and other fluids in the breast as
well as milk. The breasts and nipples may be so swollen
that the baby finds it difficult to latch on and suckle.
The discomfort can also make it difficult for the
mother to relax and enjoy feeding her baby.
The three most common causes of such engorged breasts
are:
• Breasts that are too full of milk.
• Feeding in the wrong position.
• Improper sucking by the baby.
Try not to limited the amount of time spent feeding
your baby as this can keep the milk ducts from emptying
completely and in turn lead to swelling and pain.
Once a mother stops breast feeding completely, the
breasts slowly stop making milk. But during the process
of winding down, the breasts may become engorged and
overfill with milk.
