You may have heard the saying, "Breast is best." Breastmilk is, indeed, the ideal food for babies with a very few rare exceptions. All mothers produce breastmilk after giving birth whether they choose to breastfeed or formula feed. You may notice that you leak a clear yellow or golden fluid during your last trimester. This is breastmilk; it is highly specialized for your child and is called colostrum. Colostrum has been called "liquid gold"; because it protects your newborn by passing on precious antibodies that prevent certain diseases.
Breastfeeding is more than just providing good nutrition for your child; it is also the warmth, comfort, and security that is so necessary for babies to thrive. Breastfeeding offers a child skin-to-skin contact and frequent opportunities to be held and cuddled. This fosters a closeness that is most similar to being in utero; it is also time for a mother, father, and newborn to adapt and begin to develop their new roles and ways of interacting as a family. What a transition it is for your child to be exposed to unfamiliar smells, sounds, and feelings. Keeping your child close, whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed, provides comfort and a more secure atmosphere. Emphasize the frequent skin to skin contact, hold your baby often, and keep your baby with you as often as possible so you may learn his or her feeding cues, noises, and language.
How will you know if your baby is hungry? Keeping your baby with you the entire time you are in the hospital helps you and dad learn your baby's language and cues. When a baby begins to move or stir from a sleep it's your first cue to prepare yourself and the baby for a feeding. Some baby's will have tongue movement, open the mouth, and roll their head side to side in an effort to look for food. This is known as the "rooting reflex," a solid cue or "call" for food. Mouth and eye movements are feeding cues along with crying (although crying is a late sign of hunger). In other words, you may not have noticed the more subtle movements of your child prior to crying. What if you just fed your baby, you put her down, and she begins to cry again, then what? Don't try to breastfeed according to a schedule the first few weeks. Feed on demand, pick up your baby, hold, cuddle, observe, and study his or her cues.
While you are in the hospital, take advantage of keeping your baby in
the room so you can become familiar with your child. This is also your
opportunity to ask for help as you are learning and developing your new
nurturing role.
Your attitude, desire, and motivation make a world of difference to how
your child will be supported in the hospital and at home. Communicate
your choice so the hospital staff can protect, support, and promote
your decision. Breastfeeding is a long lasting gift you may decide to
give your child. Is it the best decision for your family?