Breastfeeding in the First Week After Birth Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for your baby and there are many benefits for both mom and baby. Breast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs as well as antibodies that will help protect your baby from viruses and bacteria. Below are some of the benefits of breastfeeding:
For mom • Reduces risk of breast, endometrial, uterine and ovarian cancer • Lowers risk of osteoporosis later In life • Helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size and reduces bleeding after delivery • Helps develop a sense of bonding and stabilizes mother’s emotions due to hormonal changes after delivery • Saves time, money and effort in the long run
For baby • Decreases risk of childhood cancers • Decreases childhood obesity • Lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome • Protects against allergies • Lowers risk of insulin-dependent diabetes
Breastfeeding 101 Breastfeeding may be “natural” but that does not mean it always comes so naturally. If you are in some need of breastfeeding 101, you have come to the right place! • Newborns have a natural instinct to find the breast. This instinct is triggered when a newborn is positioned skin-to-skin so let your baby have as much skin-to-skin contact as possible, especially during feedings. • Watch your baby, not the clock. Feed your baby whenever you see feeding behaviors, such as mouthing movements, lip smacking, sucking on fingers. Crying is a late sign of hunger. infant nutrition
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