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Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding Facts
Breastfeeding Facts
For many women, breastfeeding may not be as easy as it is thought to be. As such, it can cause
great stress and anxiety to the mother. Here are a few breastfeeding facts so as to help put first-time moms at ease:
- Breastfeeding has long term benefits for children in terms of contributing to a lifetime of good health. Adults who were breastfed as children have lower cholesterol levels as well as lower blood pressure. They are less likely to suffer from obesity or diabetes.
- Breastfeeding will help your uterus return to its original, pre-pregnancy size: A hormone called oxytocin is released during breastfeeding. This hormone helps the uterus shrink in size, that is, it causes the uterus to contract.
- Breastfeeding helps you shed those extra kilos: Breastfeeding is known to burn calories and it will thus help you lose the weight gained during your pregnancy.
- An average breastfeeding session lasts for about 16 minutes and you will not produce large amounts of milk in the first few days.
- Breast feeding schedule will vary for every baby: Therefore, your baby must be fed as per his/her needs.
- Most women can’t sense ‘let down’: ‘Let down’ refers to the actual flow of milk and it takes about 56 seconds to occur once the baby starts sucking.
- Research suggests that breastfeeding could help prevent cancer as well as reduce one’s susceptibility to osteoporosis.
A breast feeding chart will help you record the amount of times your baby fed, the duration of each feed as well as the number of soiled diapers.
Frequently asked questions
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding. Meek JY, ed. New York, NY: Bantam Books; 2002
- Kramer MS, Chalmers B, Hodnett ED, et al. Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT): a randomized trial in the Republic of Belarus. JAMA. 2001;285 :413 –420