1. What should we feed a newborn?
As soon as the baby is born. We should feed the colostrum. If the mother can't directly feed the baby, handexpress or use a pump to express colostrum and offer it to the baby via a paladai or other feeding methods.
Understand the importance of colostrum and how it supports overall health.
2. When a baby is born through normal birth, within how much time should we offer the colostrum?
As soon as the baby is born, we should offer the first feed.
Make sure the baby receives skin-to-skin contact. It will help stabilise body temperature and increase the chance of direct breastfeeding.
3. Can direct feeding reduce the blood flow after birth?
Yes, it's scientifically proven. When the infant suckles at the breast, neurons are activated, triggering the pituitary gland to release oxytocin. Oxytocin helps the uterus shrink and reduces menstrual blood flow. Doctors administer oxytocin through injection if there's excessive blood flow.
4. What are the benefits of breast milk?
It ensures the baby gets balanced nutrition for overall growth and development.
Easily digestible
Has antibodies
The overall growth and development are enhanced
Delays pregnancy
Prevents cancer in mothers
Reduces menstrual blood flow in the mother
5. How does direct feeding help with an increase in breast milk?
During breast milk secretion, two hormones play a vital role. One is oxytocin, the love hormone and the other is prolactin.
Prolactin hormone is secreted from the front end of the pituitary gland. This secretion is triggered when the baby suckles at the breast. The more effectively the baby latches, the more prolactin is secreted. More prolactin is equal to more milk supply.
After this hormone is secreted, it stays in the mother's blood for 45 minutes. This hormone is secreted more at night.
Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL) is found in breast milk that regulates milk supply. If the breasts are full, the FIL signals the glands to slow milk production, and if the breasts are empty, the FIL level drops and milk production increases.
Full breast = Low Milk Supply.
Empty Breast = More Milk Supply.
If latching is ineffective, it can affect milk supply by reducing prolactin secretion, and, over time, milk production ceases.
So it's essential to pump or direct-feed every 2-3 hours during the initial days.
6. I have low milk supply, what to do?
Multiple factors affect milk supply.
Nutritional deficiency
Breast Surgery
Hormonal issues
Prolonged labour with excessive blood loss
Hypothyroidism
Weakness, Stress & Fatigue
Insulin resistance
To address all the above concerns, a mother should work with a nutritionist, a doctor, and a lactation consultant. It will need constant support, feedback, and monitoring.
Ineffective latching causes milk supply issues. A lactation consultant can help rectify this issue.
But most mothers have also perceived milk insufficiency.
7. The secretion of colostrum is low? Will it be enough for my baby?
Colostrum is also known as liquid gold. Only a small volume of colostrum is available during the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.
Colostrum in the first days of life is essential because it is rich in secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin, leukocytes, and epidermal
growth factor. Insulin-like growth factors are in high concentrations in colostrum.
Colostrum facilitates the establishment of Lactobacillus bifidus
flora in the digestive system.
So even if the quantity is low, it has a higher concentration of necessary components that a newborn needs during the initial days. So it is enough for the newborn if the latching is effective.
Reference: Breastfeeding _ A Guide for the Medical Professional -- Ruth A. Lawrence, Robert M. Law