5 Things You May Not Know About Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the perfect way to feed babies. Breast milk not only contains all the nutrients that babies need, but also provides perfect nutritional balance and antibodies.
In addition to being the most natural way to feed babies, breastfeeding also helps create and strengthen the mother bond. It also increases maternal self-esteem, which is especially necessary to prevent or overcome possible postpartum depression.
But you probably already knew that . But there are a number of other aspects of breastfeeding that are not so well known. These are also very interesting to reinforce the idea that breastfeeding is an excellent solution.
Breast-feeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer
Recent studies have shown that premenopausal women who breastfeed their children were up to 50 percent less likely to develop breast cancer compared to women who did not breastfeed their children.
This research also supported a strong association between the duration of breastfeeding and the rate of cancer risk reduction, especially in women who breastfeed for more than a year.
Other studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between women who were breastfed when they were babies and a lower risk of breast cancer.
Breast size and amount of milk
In general, breast size has nothing to do with breastfeeding and a mother’s ability to breastfeed her baby.
There is no evidence that women with small breasts or nipples have more problems producing milk. Milk is produced in the mammary glands that are present in all women’s breasts.
In addition, the inability to produce enough milk to feed a baby is quite rare. It is not a common occurrence for women to have to supplement with breast milk substitute.
In general, this deficiency is related to past trauma, extreme calorie restriction, hyperthyroidism or other factors such as stress.
Breastfeeding can be difficult
Children are born with a sucking instinct , but their sense of smell also helps to create the bond with their mother. Through smell, the baby can reach its mother’s breast to look for food. And if the mother comes, the child can identify her, even if they have not heard her.
The fact that breastfeeding is natural does not mean that it is easy. However, breastfeeding can be difficult and in the beginning complications can occur.
Breastfeeding can be painful. In addition, no mother is spared the possibility of developing mastitis at any time. This can be much more complicated if not treated in a timely manner.
In addition, breastfeeding conditions the entire life of the mother. And forces her to organize according to her baby’s needs.
In the beginning, it is mainly based on conditioning of sleep and rest time, but gradually women become aware, continued breastfeeding requires much more sacrifice than it first seemed.
Breasts grow and become more sensitive and receptive
As the milk begins to flow, the size of the breast increases, as well as the sensitivity. In fact, any stimulation can cause milk to drain, both physically and sensory (many women drain milk just by hearing the baby cry).
However, the milk itself, which accumulates in the breast, can cause congestion and be very painful. Therefore, it is important to breastfeed the baby often or remove the milk so that it does not accumulate, thus avoiding discomfort and the possibility of developing mastitis.
