Having just become a mother, I am experiencing these challenges and have learned some things that I want to share with you. I have an 8-month-old baby girl, so this article is based on my practical experience as a mother.
The journey of motherhood is not an easy task. During this time, we women face many questions, such as:
– Is formula milk good for my baby?
– How often do I need to give my baby formula milk?
– Am I doing something wrong?
And many more.
Since I’m a new mom, it is hard to make any kind of decision, especially when there are a lot of people around to judge you.
However, when it comes to your child, you always need to know what is good for your newborn baby.
There is nothing that can beat breast milk. It’s a God-gifted thing. The recipe for breast milk is best for every newborn baby, which is why doctors also suggest giving your baby breast milk for at least the first six months.
But we are not talking about that here. No mother wants to give their baby formula milk; it’s the circumstances that force them to do so.
There are many reasons behind it. Some moms need to go to their workplace, some are struggling with health issues after a C-section, some mothers face a lack of milk production, some have problems with their nipple size and shape, and so on.
It is okay for you to give your baby formula milk. The formula is specially made for newborn babies and fulfills their nutritional requirements. But still, breast milk is the best option.
First Thing to Do:
First, you need to understand what is going on.
Is your baby having enough milk or not?
You need to identify the problem. If you have a normal delivery, milk will be produced soon, but if you have a C-section, it is normal to not have milk right away due to high doses of antibiotics.
However, if after 3 to 6 days your baby is still not getting enough milk, then something might not be right.
Latch Properly:
Most babies are not able to get milk because they cannot latch properly. As a new mom, you and your newborn baby both need to learn. One of the key things to learn is how to latch properly.
There are a few positions that will help your baby latch correctly and get proper milk. All you need to do is ask your nurse or doctor, and they will teach you how to feed your baby.
Suck the Areola:
In most cases, mothers only put the nipple into the newborn’s mouth, which is not correct. You need to offer the nipple and also the areola (the brownish area around the nipple). Babies are born with the sucking reflex, so you just need to position them correctly and help them suck better. This will help them get better milk.
The Shape of the Breast:
As the human body is different from person to person, there are many things that are uncommon but beautiful. Some mothers have different nipple sizes, and since a newborn is so small, their mouth is also small. They cannot suck the nipple properly, and if they cannot suck properly, how can they get enough milk?
So, you can buy an electric or manual breast pump to pump the milk and feed your baby during the initial stage.
Suck the Nipple Frequently:
The baby needs to suck the nipple frequently, every 2 to 3 hours. When the baby sucks the mother’s nipple, it sends a signal to the brain to produce more milk. If the baby doesn’t suck frequently, the production of milk will decrease.
Cow Milk or Animal Milk:
Dear parents, if you are having a problem with breast milk, then you can definitely go for formula milk, but what you cannot do is give your newborn baby cow’s milk or any other animal milk. It is hazardous for them. Doctors recommend giving cow’s milk only after the age of one, but if you feel your baby is allergic to it, stop giving it.
