ABC of breastfeeding.

 ABC of breastfeeding.

From the first moment the baby is put to the breast, it must be fed according to a certain plan. This is necessary for the well-being of the child. It will contribute to maintaining the health of the parent, who will thus become a good nanny, and her duty at the same time will become a pleasure.

However, this implies special attention by the mother to her health, because the health of her baby depends on this. Healthy, nutritious, and digestible milk is accessible only to a healthy parent; it is contrary to common sense to expect that a mother has weakened her health and digestion through malnutrition, neglecting exercises, and unclean air. However, she can provide her child with a healthy and non-polluting liquid as if she paid serious attention to these important points. Each case of malaise in the nurse is likely to affect the infant.

This leads me to note that it is a common mistake to assume that since a woman is breastfeeding, she should therefore live and add instead of wine, Porter, or some other fermented liqueur to her usual diet. The plan only leads to an abnormal fullness in the system, which can make the nurse ill and decrease milk production. The correct plan of action is quite obvious; pay attention only to ordinary health laws, and the mother, if she has a good constitution, will make a better nurse than any senseless deviation based on ignorance and whim.

The following case proves the correctness of this statement:

A young woman, confined with her first child, left the room lying at the end of the third week, an excellent nurse and in perfect health. She had some minor problems with her nipples, but this was overcome.

The Porter’s regime has now begun, and from half a liter to half a liter and a half of this drink was consumed in twenty-four hours. He was resorted to, not because of a lack of milk supply, because it was abundant and the baby fed on it; but because, having become a nurse, she was told that he was habitual and necessary and that his absence would deprive him of her milk and strength for a long time.

After following this plan for a few days, the mother became sleepy and wanted to sleep during the day; headache, thirst, and hot skin. Fever occurred; the amount of milk decreased, and for the first time, the baby’s stomach and intestines became restless. The Porter ordered to leave it aside; corrective measures were prescribed; and all the symptoms, both in the parent and in the child, were eliminated after a while, and health was restored.

Having gotten used, before becoming a mother, to a glass or two of wine, and sometimes a glass of table beer. She was advised to follow her old dietary plan but with the addition of half a liter of barley milk morning and evening. Both the parent and the baby remained in excellent health for the rest of the breastfeeding period. The latter did not taste artificial food until the ninth month, and the parents ‘ milk was quite enough for his needs.

No one can doubt that Porter was, in this case, the source of the harm. The patient had entered the room lying down in full health, had a great time, and came out of her room (relatively) with the force of her entry. Her Constitution was not previously worn out because of frequent pregnancy and care. She had a sufficient supply of milk, and therefore she could quite perform the tasks that now fall on her, without resorting to any unusual stimuli and supports. His previous habits were completely contrary to the plan that had been adopted; his regime became too full, the disease was produced, and the result felt to be nothing more than what could be expected.

The plan is to follow the first six months. Until the mother’s milk is completely established, which may not be until the second or third day after birth (almost always during the first birth). The infant should be fed with a little soft porridge, or with a third of the water and two-thirds of milk sweetened with baking sugar.

After this time, it should be fed only to the breast, and for a week or ten days, the infant’s appetite should be a guide to how often he offers the breast. The stomach at birth is weak and still He is not used to food; therefore, his needs are easily satisfied, but they are replenished frequently. This is done long enough to digest a little swallowing before the appetite returns and the need for fresh supplies.

At the expiration of a week, it is necessary, and in some children it can be safely done from the first day of breastfeeding, to breastfeed the baby at regular intervals of three or four hours, day and night. This allows enough time to digest each meal and keeps the baby’s intestines in order. By the way, such regularity will do a lot to avoid constant anxiety and crying, which seems unappeasable only by constantly putting the baby at the breast. A young mother typically faces a serious mistake on this topic, considering every expression of malaise an indicator of appetite, and every time the baby cries while offering her breast. Ten minutes may not have passed since her last meal. This is a harmful and even dangerous practice because the stomach is overloaded, the food remains undigested, the baby’s intestines are always broken, he quickly becomes restless and overheated, and in the end, he may get lost; when an infant, as soon as the above breastfeeding rules are followed, he may become healthy and active.

For the same reason, the nipple should not stay in the mouth all night for an infant who sleeps with his parents. If he is breastfeeding as suggested, he will wake up, as his meal time approaches, with great regularity. Referring to night breastfeeding, I propose breastfeeding the baby until ten o’clock in the afternoon and not returning it to the breast until five o’clock the next morning. Many mothers have adopted this indicator, with significant benefit for their health, and without the slightest bias for the health of the child. With the latter, it quickly becomes a habit; to induce it, however, it must be taught early.

The previous plan should be continued, and unchanged, until the sixth month.

After the sixth month until the moment of weaning, if the parent has a large amount of good and nutritious milk, and his baby is healthy and thriving, then no changes should be made in his diet. Otherwise, however, (and this will be the case only more often, even before the sixth month), the baby can be fed twice during the day, and it is this kind of food that is chosen and which, after a little experience, turns out to be the best to agree.