Breastfeeding Basics: Know Your Milk!

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Breastfeeding has always been tagged as being the “BEST” for babies. Breastmilk is specially designed for your baby. The bond that you formed from pregnancy to birth continues on to breastfeeding. Your milk is the most complete and nutritious food for your newborn. Although breastfeeding comes so naturally to moms, not everyone is as lucky. The best weapon is information. Educate yourself on the many aspects of breastfeeding.

Let us first tackle what happens right after you give birth. Do you have milk right away? Can you use your breast pump immediately? Why doesn’t any milk come out?

breastfeeding basics

What is colostrum?

For the first few days after birth, your body will produce colostrum. It is also called as “pre-milk” or “practice milk”. It is often described as being yellow, sometimes clear, and thin in appearance. It is essential that your baby drinks this as it is super rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to fight off infections, viruses, and bacteria. You may also notice that your breasts leaked during pregnancy with a similar substance. This is most likely to be colostrum as well. It is vital that your baby continues to nurse in order for your body to produce the next type of milk.

29 thoughts on “Breastfeeding Basics: Know Your Milk!”

  1. Very informative indeed. I have just forwarded this to my friend who has a month old baby. Although breastfeeding is always best for babies but my friend has not been really so lucky. Thought this post would help her a lot. Thanks for posting.

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  2. I’m a doctor and all our books stress the importance of breast milk and especially the colostrum has so many antibodies that its considered very very important. good informative post!

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  3. The breast milk is rich in nutrients and have antibodies that are very important for the baby. It’s importance cannot brle ignored!!! First time mothers must read it once !!!

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  4. Many Moms are lessed with lots of milk supply, and many are don’t. Eating lot of moringa leaves adds nutrients to produce breastmilk.

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  5. this is a good piece of information to all new mothers. When i had my first son i wasn’t aware of colustrum and i squeezed it out before i fed him thinking it may be old milk

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  6. Didn’t know all these things, but very useful! Not everyone is lucky to breastfeed even if they’re physically capable. There are many reasons behind that but I think it’s good to know the basics which you provide in these good tips!

    Reply

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