Feedathon – The Real Marathon for Good Health of the Child and Mother

By Chitra Iyer - Updated: December 29, 2018

This is my story and some tips of my Feedathon – where you sprint for yourself and the champion is your little one.

Breastmilk is the only food in the world that has everything required for the growth and development of the baby. It was never easy, 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. For me, I feel as if I have won over the feeling of giving up to a formula packet that was so easily affordable and available in the market. Yet, I persisted. And the bond kept growing intense!

Breastfeeding is like any relationship that requires great resilience and commitment. A mother’s interest in breastfeeding is of paramount importance.

Below are a few tips that I learnt from my journey. I believe, a pregnant mother should know these before delivering the baby.

1. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby within first one hour of birth is important. Breastfeed the baby in the initial hours of birth!

2. Avoid feeding bottle during the first 6 weeks of life as it creates nipple confusion.

3. A side-lying pose is best for back pain and post-delivery pain relief for breastfeeding(mainly for full-term babies)

4. Breast milk production is completely on demand and supply. Hence the more the baby sucks, the more it is an indication to your body for milk production.That’s why babies latch on to you for hours during the initial phase to establish the milk supply.

5. Baby will take time to learn how to latch on to your breasts. The key is to place the nipple near the nose of the baby. Baby can smell you! Give them the breasts, then they open their mouth wide enough to take the areola ( black part surrounding the breasts )

6. Sore nipples happen when the baby doesn’t latch properly. Apply ghee to resolve the issue.

7. Breastfeed even when sick, antibodies pass on.

8. Eat a well-balanced diet including garlic, soaked almonds, and methi seeds.

9. Keep alternating the breasts feeding one side for a minimum of 20-30 mins.

Yes ladies, at the end it’s really worth it !! Persistence is the only mantra here !

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