How To Extend Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the ideal baby food, as it has the perfect combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrate, and fluids that a new-born baby requires. Breastfeeding is beneficial to both the mother and the child. It is often recommended to nursing mothers that they should continue breastfeeding their babies for at least the first year. There are numerous benefits that are associated with breastfeeding such as lower risk of allergies, diabetes, less digestion problems, and so on. Babies who are breastfed have an increased immunity as they get their mother's antibodies through breast milk. Also, mothers who breastfeed their child after a year have a reduced risk of developing cancer and lose weight earlier that other mothers. In the following lines, we have provided information on how to extend breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding early holds the key for extending the duration of feeding. As soon as the baby is born, take some time out from the friends and family and spend a few moments in the recovery room, introducing the child to your breast. Even if the baby is not interested in nursing, remember, the main aim is to build a bond with your baby through breastfeeding.

Once you are home from hospital, nurse your little one as many times as he/she cries out of hunger. While in the first few weeks, it could mean feeding after every hour or two, the frequency would definitely reduce with time, as the baby grows and develops. Breastfeeding would build on the milk supply. The milk produced is essentially dependent on supply and demand. The more demand, the more production and hence, the increased supply.

Many working women believe that their milk supply would reduce, once they return to work. This might come to you as a surprise, but you can even extend your breastfeeding even at work. All you need to do is buy a good breast pump and use it frequently throughout the day. Store your milk in a refrigerator and take it home in a cooler.

 

Pumping several times a day can definitely extend breastfeeding time. Remember, breastfeed your baby as soon as you reach home from work. Though pumping can be beneficial for working mothers, your baby needs to be breastfed when you are back from office. The best bet would be to breastfeed your kid right before you leave for work and after you come back.

Extending breastfeeding even after your kiddo turns a year old can be extremely beneficial for both the kid and you. As soon as the child is one year old, he/she would definitely receive all her nutrition from solid foods. However, continuing to include breast milk in the diet can be advantageous. Though you should not replace regular meals with breast milk, you can definitely continue to breastfeed him/her several times a day in between meals.

 

Most importantly, it is very vital for you to enjoy breastfeeding. This way you would develop a bond of true love and affection with your child. A time of intimate closeness with your child, remember, that no one else can enjoy such closeness with your little one.