Keep Abreast: How Breastfeeding Enhances Mother-Child Bonding

Keep Abreast: How Breastfeeding Enhances Mother-Child Bonding

Bonding

 There are hormones released during breastfeeding that can help to strengthen the maternal bond you feel with your baby. Also supporting and helping a new mother while breastfeeding can help strengthen the bond between father and child. If the mother is away, this is a good opportunity for the father to get comfortable with the baby without feeling like he may mess up or is being monitored. My husband didn't feel like he could do much to help with the babies, I would pump early on when I had a surplus of milk and let him feed the baby and store some for sitters or emergencies. He really loved it and appreciated it. I would also compliment and reinforce his confidence so he felt very comfortable and to this day has a strong bond with the children.

Beginning Breastfeeding

Milk does not come in for around three days or so on average but most people think you need to supplement with formula, however that is not true. Colostrum comes in during late pregnancy and has antibodies to help protect your baby against disease, it is also lower in fat and higher in protein than ordinary milk. Newborns have tiny digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a concentrated form. It also helps the passing of the baby's first stool meconium.

Hospital birth are by far the most common these days, and its such a controlled environment its easy loose “control” over your birth experience. One of the hardest things is keeping up with how much your baby eats and the time, and if they had a dirty diaper.. an so on and so on. I suggest speaking with the nurses and your Doctor and make sure they have an understanding that you are breastfeeding either with or without supplementing formula. I had a C-section with both of my children and both times the nursery tried to bottle feed.

When you breastfeed make sure you are comfortable, its easier if your not worried about “hiding anything ” so if you need to ask someone to leave the room surely they will understand. You can find information on how to have your baby latch on but I find it easier to find what is comfortable between you and your baby. Everyone has different shapes and sizes when it comes to nipples, and when it comes to your baby's mouth; so keep trying and don't get discouraged if the first time your not pro.

Meeting your baby

So you have made it through the pregnancy and the birth. Congratulations mommy! Now you are meeting your baby for the first time, what do you say? This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship with your child, so take some pressure off. Everyone talks about the pressure of being a father, but what about becoming a mother? Books can only give you a vague idea as of what to expect. Aren't you supposed to feel an instant connection with your baby? Do you bottle or breastfeed? If you choose to breastfeed does your family support or understand the decision? Maybe you don't know how to go about breastfeeding and would be embarrassed to ask for help. Some women also feel breast are sexual and it would be awkward. If you want to breastfeed your baby overcome pressure and insecurities and give it a try, you can stop at anytime.