Breastfeeding: guidance and the benefits

Breastfeeding is a natural way to feed your newborn baby. Your baby takes in breast milk directly from your breast. 

Breast milk contains everything your newborn baby needs. After giving birth, your body produces colostrum. This happens because your body undergoes hormonal changes when the placenta is expelled. Your body then produces mature breast milk. This supply then adapts to your baby’s needs. 

Many expectant mothers wonder whether they should breastfeed or bottle-feed. Answer this question by looking at the pros and cons of breastfeeding: 

The benefits of breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding helps you to recover more quickly after birth: when you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin. This hormone makes your uterus contract.
• Breastfeeding is practical: breast milk is always at the ideal temperature and is always available.
• Breastfeeding reduces your risk of cancer: breastfeeding women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. The general rule is that the longer you breastfeed, the lower the risk.
• Breastfeeding is good for your child’s health: breast milk provides your child with all of the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It protects your child from common childhood illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases in later life. Breastfeeding also reduces your child’s risk of diarrhoea, middle-ear infections and obesity later on.
• Breastfeeding supports cognitive development: breast milk has a positive effect on your child’s cognitive development.• Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child: breastfeeding mothers experience closeness to their newborn – and vice versa. 

The disadvantages of breastfeeding 

• Potential challenges: some mothers experience difficulties with breastfeeding, such as pain, breast inflammation or problems with their milk supply.
• Time required and flexibility: breastfeeding takes time. This means that you might feel restricted in terms of your job and personal freedom.
• Nutrition and maternal health: your diet plays an important role in breastfeeding. This is because you need sufficient nutrients to produce milk and cannot drink alcohol. If you have health problems, this will have an impact on breastfeeding.

Choosing whether or not to breastfeed is a very personal decision. If you are unsure, talk to your midwife or breastfeeding specialist.

Pay attention to your health and that of your baby during breastfeeding. Adjust your lifestyle accordingly: 

• Smoking: if you are breastfeeding, you should not smoke, because the toxic substances make their way directly into your breast milk.
• Alcohol: do not drink alcohol if you are breastfeeding. Like nicotine, alcohol also makes its way into your breast milk.
• Diet: what shouldn’t you eat during breastfeeding? Onions, cabbage and garlic may give your baby wind or other digestive problems. The foods your child will tolerate are individual. Try out different foods and eat a balanced diet. A balanced diet includes fish and fish oil, at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, protein (eggs, meat, pulses) and milk to ensure adequate calcium intake. You should also drink plenty of fluids.
• Medication: breastfeeding does not mean that you cannot take medication. You should, however, always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding and need to take painkillers, for example. 
• Illness: if you are breastfeeding and become ill, consult a specialist beforehand . Breastfeeding when you have a fever or other symptoms is not necessarily a bad thing, but it depends on the cause of these symptoms. 

Positions for breastfeeding

There is no such thing as the perfect position for breastfeeding. Try out different positions and find the one in which you and your baby feel comfortable. You have various options:

• Breastfeeding while sitting: the cradle position is the most common breastfeeding position. You sit upright and hold your baby in your arms to support their back. The baby’s head rests in the crook of your arm or in your free hand. A reclined, semi-sitting breastfeeding position may be more relaxed. The baby can also lie on its side with their feet towards your back. This lateral position is particularly comfortable when you are learning to breastfeed or after a caesarean section. 
• Breastfeeding while lying down: this breastfeeding position is popular at night or among mothers who have had a caesarean section. You lie on your side, belly to belly with your baby.

As well as the correct breastfeeding position, breastfeeding accessories are also crucial: special breastfeeding-friendly clothes make it easier to access your breasts. These include nursing bras and nursing tops. Nursing pads keep your breasts dry and protect your clothes from milk stains. A nursing pillow helps you find a relaxed position for breastfeeding.

By the way: there is no need to prepare for breastfeeding. Your body adjusts to breastfeeding on its own as a result of hormonal changes. Have faith in your abilities and those of your baby. You are a team that will learn and grow together. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often and for how long you should breastfeed your baby. Some babies feed every hour for 2 to 6 hours and then spend longer periods sleeping. Other babies, on the other hand, drink every 2 to 3 hours, both during the day and at night. How often you breastfeed therefore also depends on your baby. Many women choose to breastfeed on demand. This means that you focus entirely on your baby’s needs. Pay attention to whether your baby is restless or makes sucking movements with their lips. Also keep an eye on your baby: when your baby is full, they will let go of your breast and relax their hands. 

How long should you breastfeed on each breast? It also depends on what you and your child feel comfortable with. As a general rule, a baby feeds for around 10 to 20 minutes from each breast per feed. But this is only a guide. Some babies only drink from one breast per feed or alternate between the two – as long as the baby is gaining a good amount of weight and your breasts feel ok, everything is fine.

• Position your baby correctly. Your baby’s head, neck and spine are aligned. Ideally, your baby’s chin should be pointing upwards and not resting on their chest. Their chin is the first thing that touches your breast when you feed your baby. Your child should have most of your areola in their mouth when they latch on. 
• Do not make an effort to lose weight while breastfeeding. If you lose weight automatically, that’s fine as long as you don’t become underweight.
• You need more nutrients if you are breastfeeding. If your normal diet does not give you a sufficient supply, (continue to) take vitamins or mineral supplements in consultation with your doctor.
• Try to relax while breastfeeding. Choose a comfortable position. You might find that quiet background music helps you.
• Be generous to yourself while you are breastfeeding. Treat yourself to a good book or an afternoon nap.

Ample milk supply is key when you are breastfeeding your baby. Here’s how you can promote your milk supply: 

• Let your baby latch on immediately after you give birth. This promotes the flow of milk from day one.
• The more often you breastfeed, the more milk your body produces. Breastfeed based on your baby’s needs.
• Offer your baby the breast at least 8 to 12 times within 24 hours. Let your baby drink for as long as they want. 
• Alternate the side you breastfeed on and always offer your baby both sides.
• Avoid dummies and bottle teats as much as possible. This will ensure that your child doesn’t get confused when sucking.
• Ensure a relaxed breastfeeding environment. Stress can inhibit milk supply. 
• Adjust your diet to stimulate milk supply. Try breastfeeding teas that contain nettle or fenugreek, for example. The vitamin B found in wholemeal foods and yeast also stimulates milk supply. Almonds, nuts, aniseed and coriander also provide valuable support. 

There are many reasons why you might want to express milk, for example if you want to be flexible. Use a milk pump where appropriate. Note the following points on this: 

• Choose the right breast shield: the shield tunnel should only contain your nipple, and no part of your areola. The optimal breast shield is wide enough that it does not pinch your milk ducts.
• Find a relaxed position. This stimulates the flow of milk. Make sure your back and arms are supported. Find a quiet place where you feel comfortable to express milk. 
• Find your rhythm. It takes every woman a different length of time to express milk depending on their let-down reflex. 

Alternatively, you can express breast milk by hand. Remember to

• wash your hands with soap beforehand.
• If it is more comfortable for you, use warm compresses in the form of a flannel or gently massage your breasts beforehand.
• Use your thumb, middle and index finger. Wrap then around your breast to make a C-shape. Place your thumb above the areola and the other fingers below. Bring your fingers together slightly.
• Now turn the “C” by 1 to 2 centimetres and repeat the movement. Keep doing this to empty all the milk ducts.

Important: breast milk has a shelf life of a few hours to several months, depending on how you store it. If you do not refrigerate your milk, it will keep for 6 to 8 hours. If you store it in the refrigerator at less than 5°C, it will keep for around 72 hours. Alternatively, you can freeze your breast milk. It will keep for 6 months in the freezer.  

Problems like blocked milk ducts and breast inflammation can be stressful during breastfeeding. Blocked milk ducts occur when your breast does not empty completely. The milk then accumulates in the milk ducts. This leads to swelling and pain. This can be caused by infrequent breastfeeding, for example when you are weaning. Other potential triggers include hormonal fluctuations and stress. Prevent blocked milk ducts by breastfeeding regularly or expressing milk. Use warm compresses, too: simply place a warm flannel on your breast just before you breastfeed. 

Blocked milk ducts can lead to breast inflammation. This happens when the milk makes its way into the surrounding breast tissue and your body reacts with inflammation. To avoid breast inflammation, you should empty your breasts frequently. Also make sure you get plenty of rest and drink enough. If it is comfortable for you, cool your breasts after breastfeeding or expressing.

If you are experiencing breast inflammation or other problems, consult your doctor. In some cases, an antibiotic that can be taken while breastfeeding will help.