Exclusive breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding refers to the period of a baby's life between 0 and 6 months of age when he/she is fed only with breast milk, without any other solid or liquid supplement to accompany his/her diet.

Undoubtedly, this is the most recommended feeding and the one that every mother dreams of being able to offer her child, however, there are many conditions that must be met for this to happen.

The first of them is the mother's will, her physical and physiological disposition for the process. We know very well that each body is a different universe and that many external factors can affect the quality of the mother's milk, from stress and social pressure on her body to breastfeed, to conditions in her breasts, her health, the baby's latch, if the baby has a frenulum or any impediment that slows down her sucking instinct.

But leaving those assumptions aside, we want to share some tips, which can favor the environment, so that this type of feeding is maintained in the first six months of life of your little one.

The ideal principle:

If mom and baby are healthy, it is a priority to put them in contact, skin to skin, the second they are born after checking that everything is in order. This first encounter will not only unite them even more, but the baby will instinctively seek refuge in the mother's womb. Studies have proven that placing the baby face down, close to the mother's breast, will activate its instinct, it will be able to crawl, feel the breast with its hands and look for that first 'latch on' or sucking.

The so-called 'spontaneous latch-on' is one of the main practices recommended by doctors and breastfeeding specialists, especially if the baby presents some obstacles to latching on to the breast.

Ask -whenever possible- for co-housing: that mother and baby cohabit in the same space. The mother will be calmer and the baby will be able to be at ease practicing 'free demand' feeding, the more time they spend together, the more the baby will get used to life outside the womb and will approach the breast more naturally.

On that first day of life, after the lethargy of childbirth, the baby will begin to have small and constant feedings. Here it is important to start rotating the breasts, beginning each new feeding with the breast that is less emptied to encourage milk production.

Remember, if there is no major physiological or health impediment, your body will produce milk on its own. The more your baby sucks, the more milk you will produce. Don't hesitate. Your body is wise and together you can go through this process.

Few specialists say it, but one of the keys to this process is patience and understanding baby-mom, if you have the support of your family, partner and doctors, you will know how to ask for the necessary space to perform this activity calmly and without pressure and you can ask for help at times when it becomes complicated or tense. Especially on the second and third day of the baby's life when the so-called 'mad cow night' occurs and the baby starts to demand more milk. That couple of days he will start his routine of 8 to 12 feedings a day, which will require you.

Be attentive to the signs, early signs of hunger are nodding, sucking hands and fingers, sticking out the tongue, do not wait for the crying to start because the baby will be more stressed and irritable and will not be able to eat well until he calms down, you can even complicate the latch and it will not be a good symptom.

Milk is not used up, the more your baby eats the more your body produces. Don't get anxious thinking that 'it's going to run out' and 'you won't be ready for the next feeding'.

Hydration in the mother is a very important factor, no concoctions, infusions or grandmother's concoctions. WATER is what you need, in abundant quantities to keep you well. Add to this a good diet supervised by your doctor because when breastfeeding you are burning calories and you will need to be at 100%.

Exclusive breastfeeding has many benefits, not only physical and health benefits, but also emotional benefits for both mother and baby. These are listed below:

For the baby: it improves his immune system, protects him from diseases, reduces the risk of sudden infant death, as well as infant mortality, promotes growth and cognitive development.

For the mother: it stimulates the production of beneficial hormones, promotes bonding, has certain contraceptive effects, promotes weight loss, encourages savings by not having to spend on formula and reduces the risk of breast cancer.

If you are pregnant, dream of becoming a mother and want to learn about breastfeeding, do not hesitate to seek advice from your family doctor, the best way to start on this journey is to prepare yourself beforehand with accurate information.