DO I BREAST-FEED OR BOTTLE-FEED?

Being pregnant and anxiously expecting the birth of her baby, Ana asked herself: – Will I breast or bottle feed him? Until what age? Will I have enough milk? Will I breast feed him every time he wants, or will I follow a schedule? Will I be able to manage my part time job with feeding him? Will my breasts get hurt, like it happened to a girl friend? Or will they sag?… 

Ana: you’ll ask yourself what will happen to you with what feeding your baby is concerned; and what consequences it will bring. We will try to address those topics, but there’s something I can tell you ahead of time: all professionals who have to do with the topic of maternal lactating agree on one thing: Nothing better than breastfeeding! 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BREASTFEEDING YOUR BABY

Maternal milk, your milk! Is a treasure to your baby, it’s made especially for him. It will not only provide the nutrients he needs, it will also generate the antibodies that will protect him from diseases; also, you have at hand, ready and healthy, without you have to carry so many utensils. 

But this doesn’t end here, there’s also, and in a very relevant way, the positive emotions you can transmit to your son: when mommy and baby touch each other’s skins, and they both perceive their smell, taste, they go into an intimate contact that doesn’t have a price.  There they can exchange smiles and a tenderness of priceless reach: How much security? How much confidence? How much intelligence? How much strength would not be passed there? Do you want to deny that to your son? (Seligman, 2011).

HOW DO I BREASTFEED THE BABY

You have raised various topics: there is the rhythm of feeding; about this, we have to say, that the fetus lives in an environment which provides, instantly, any nutrients he needs. At birth he has that “habit”, so to speak, and a very small stomach, so it is convenient to breastfeed him every time he requires. As his stomach grows, himself will start spacing the laps. (Santana, 2015).

Faced with the possibility that your nipple may break, you can use a linchpin to protect your breasts. 

If you can’t always breastfeed him, for work or any other occupation, it is advisable that the person who replaces you is always the same person; two at the most, and that they love your little one almost as much as you. In that case you can suck your milk and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three weeks and warm it before giving it to him.

In relation to the fear of your breasts sagging, you must know that what makes them sag is gravity, not the suction of your baby.  

Regarding the age up to which the child should be breastfed, there are diverse opinions. Some specialists consider that she has to do it completely until he’s six months old, and at that moment you can start gradually introducing another kind of feeding. A one year old child should not be breastfed (Knobel, 2013; Santana, 2015). 

In my book WHAT DO I DO NOW? NO ONE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A MOM!  You will find this and other 26 common problems that you can address in the education of your children from birth to 12 years. In relation to this specific issue you can review Do I breast-feed or bottle-feed? And Inducing emotions.   

You can also check in this Blog I wish my children to be happy; as well as visit Facebook Urquia Larralde (psykia), Instagram @psykia20 and Twitter @psykia20

I appreciate any comments, questions, suggestions, or constructive criticism that you want to make through psykia20@gmail.com or by WhatsApp: +58 414 929 1676. They are welcome and I will gladly answer them.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE:

Knobel, Joseph (2013): El reto de ser padres, Publisher Melvin C.A., Venezuela 

Seligman, Martin (2011): La Auténtica Felicidad, Publisher Zeta, Barcelona, España.

Note: Santana, Ingrid (2015): Personal conversation