Human milk is widely recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for all infants. Breast milk promotes development of the infant's immune system and meets the nutritional needs of a full term infant until approximately six month.
The World Health Organization (WHO) can now say with full confidence that breastfeeding reduces child mortality and has health benefits that extend into adulthood. On a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is the recommended way of feeding infants, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.
Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of life helps ensures infants best possible start to life. by allowing the baby to rest or nurse, skin-to-skin, on the mother's chest. During this time, most infants are alert and interested in nursing. However, there is no evidence that it will be more difficult or impossible to breastfeed if the infant cannot nurse within this time period.A good beginning can make her breastfeeding easy and painless; a bad beginning can make it painful and difficult.
In some situations, the infant or mother must be separated for several hours or even days after delivery. Pumping the breasts and then storing the milk for use is recommended to stimulate production of breast milk; this can be started as soon as possible, optimally within the first six hours after delivery. You can take a help from your lactation consultant for the breast pump use.
Breastfeeding can bring such joy and by taking a decision to breastfeed you are helping your baby to get the nutrition. Breastfeeding also comes with its fair share of questions and uncertainty. It is always helpful to develop a support system for breastfeeding moms and family and have a lactation consultant to go to with questions. A lactation consultants support, encouragement and knowledge can help make your breastfeeding experience a success.
You can attend our prenatal breastfeeding class “ Mummy's Circle”, a support group for mom to be and get in touch with our Lactation consultant to learn why breastfeeding is an optimal choice for your baby.
This session is a platform to support each other, ask questions, get advice and voice your opinion, concern and success stories along with our counselors.
Topic covered will be :
If you wish to speak to our lactation consultant from Aster hospital, please call our lactation support line 054 792 5998. Our breastfeeding consultant will help you over the phone and advise whether you require an appointment for practical help in the lactation clinic.
A lactation consultant is a professional health worker trained to help new families be successful in breastfeeding. If a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant uses the initials “IBCLC,” they have been certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.