Breastfeeding Awareness.
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August 09, 2021
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Breastfeeding Awareness programs are held in 1st week of August every year to encourage breast feeding by every woman for the wellbeing of child and the mother. And this year too, it will be held under the shadow of COVID-19. But breastfeeding mothers who are concerned about the pandemic will have little to worry about if proper precautions are taken. According to a study, published in The Lancet, even COVID-19-infected mothers are unlikely to pass the virus onto their children through breast milk.
During the nursing process, a mask should still be worn, and other precautions should be taken, such as sneezing or coughing into the elbow or making use of disposable tissues. Wash your hands after any type of exposure, and regularly disinfect and clean surfaces at home.
Let's look at some of the benefits.
- Breast milk boosts the baby's immune system & protects against infection because it contains antibodies and immunoglobulins (glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells and white blood cells).
- Breast milk keeps babies hydrated, especially if they are fed on demand. Because, (of its high water content) it suffices for the overall water requirement of the baby, especially if the child is exclusively breastfed.
- Breastfeeding encourages healthy weight gain and aids in the prevention of childhood obesity.
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding also plays a role in the prevention of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
- Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk for post-partum depression
A few tips for new moms
Get enough rest.
If you don't get enough sleep, you'll naturally be more stressed, and the subsequent release of stress hormones will decrease the milk production. It is critical that you try to sleep when your baby sleeps or ask someone else to babysit while you get some much-needed nap.
What to eat?
Breastfeeding necessitates a substantial amount of fuel in order to produce high-quality milk. Include bone broth, coconut, lentils, oatmeal, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes in your daily diet as much as possible to produce great breast milk.
What to avoid?
Avoid alcohol because it can pass from the mother's milk to the child's body and cause permanent neurological damage. Tea and coffee should also be avoided because caffeine disrupts your baby's sleep. Also, avoid foods that cause gas, such as onions, garlic, and broccoli. Excess gas will upset the baby, and will also have an effect on milk production.
Breastfeeding benefits for mothers
Moms should also be aware that breastfeeding benefits more than just their babies.
- Breastfeeding helps women lose weight naturally
- It promotes womb involution, which causes it to return to its original size
- It reduces post-partum bleeding, and women will have fewer urinary tract infections
- It significantly lowers the risk of anemia.
According to UNICEF and WHO, "Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to save and improve the lives of children, yielding lifelong health benefits for infants and their mothers." Breastfeeding is still the most important form of protection we can offer a newborn.