Breastfeeding-Not as easy as it sounds!

Breastfeeding-Not as easy as it sounds!

Babies do not need a lot of milk in the first few days. And as you feed more and more, your body sends signals to your brain to produce more milk. It is a mistake a lot of mothers do that they start formula in fear that baby might starve. But it is best to consult your pediatrician and ascertain if you really need to introduce top feed. If the baby is gaining healthy weight with breastfeeding (check with your pediatrician on the healthy gain range), peeing and pooping as expected then there is no need to introduce formula no matter what your family and friends suggest otherwise. Babies and new mothers need a few days or even weeks to get a comfortable latch initially. Once established, you\'ll both do well. Just don\'t keep any fear or apprehension in your mind about it and give yourself time. I had the most harrowing time for almost a month after my baby was born because he slept very little throughout the day and night and cried incessantly all the time. Family and friends around me only kept suggesting that he is crying out of hunger and concluded that I was not making enough milk because to all of them sufficient milk meant engorged and painful breasts that just leaked milk and overflowed even after feeding the baby! I never had any pain or engorgement, never any overflow till date. I realized after I visited the lactation consultant that those were all old mothers\' tales. The pediatrician also confirmed during every visit that my baby was healthy and gaining well. Crying could have a 100 other reasons. My baby will turn 5 months old this week and he had doubled his birth weight within 3 months and continues to gain healthy weight on exclusive breast feeding. A healthy diet and happy mind go a long way too. Most women will be able to produce enough milk and the more you feed the more your breasts continue to produce. If you introduce formula without doctor\'s advice, it automatically reduces the amount of breastfeeding you do and in turn reduces the amount of milk your breasts produce.