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  Feeding Young Babies (Newborn to 6 months old) - Breastfeeding Download

Breastfeeding Mothers have an innate ability to nurture their young. A pregnant mother transmits nutrients and essential substances required by the growing fetus through the umbilical cord. After delivery, she continues to feed her baby with her own milk. Breastmilk is the perfect food for the babies. It contains essential nutrients and antibodies that babies need.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding Breastmilk provides all the essential nutrients that meet the baby's needs for the first 6 months of life. The proteins in breastmilk are easy to be digested and absorbed.
Breastmilk contains many antibodies and immunoglobulins, which help to enhance the immunity of the baby, and reduce the chance of having allergic conditions and infections. During breastfeeding, the close and intimate contact between the mother and baby greatly enhances mother-infant bonding. Breastfeeding is more hygienic, convenient, economical and environmentally friendly than bottle feeding.
Support of the Family In the first few weeks of breastfeeding, babies need to be fed more frequently. In order to have successful breastfeeding, it is crucial for the mother to have appropriate support and care from the family. The father and other family members can help with the household chores and take care the baby, to allow enough time for the mother to rest in between the feeds. To Maintain Milk Supply Suckling of the baby stimulates milk production. Avoid giving any other drink e.g. water/glucose water, apart from breastmilk, so as not to affect the baby's suckling desire leading to decrease in the mother's milk supply.
The mother should have a well balanced diet, eat and drink whenever she feels hungry or thirsty. It is very important for the mother to have adequate rest. Thus she should fit in with the baby's sleeping patterns to get more rest. Avoid smoking and drinking as much as possible, and limit the intake of coffee or tea. Seek medical advice before taking any medicine.
Breastfeeding Skills Start breastfeeding early after delivery. (Within half hour after birth) Breastfeed your baby whenever he wants. Breastfeed in a relaxed and cheerful mood; choose a position that is most comfortable for both you and your baby.
Wash your hands before breastfeeding. Hold the baby close to your body, and make sure his head and body are in a straight line. (picture 1) Touch the baby's lips with your nipple, and move him quickly onto your breast when the baby opens his mouth wide. If the baby is properly attached to your breast, his chin should be touching the breast and his mouth is wide open with his lips turned outward. (Picture 2) You can see more areola above his mouth and less below. The baby will come off the breast spontaneously when he feels full.
If you need to take the baby off the breast, do not pull out the nipple abruptly. You can insert your finger gently into the corner of his mouth to breast the suction. Then gently move the baby away from the breast. Do not use artificial teats or complementary formula feeds to soothe a crying baby. Humming softly to or gently touching or hugging the baby is more effective. Breastfeeding babies normally do not swallow too much air. If the baby needs to be burped, hold him upright against your shoulder and part or rub his back gently for a few minutes.
How Do I Know that My Baby Is Getting Enough Milk? An exclusively breastfed baby who has six more soaked diapers everyday, and a weight gain of at least 0.5kg each month for the first six months is considered having enough breastmilk.
Storage of Breast Milk Expressed breastmilk can be stored safely:- At room temperature (in a cool place) for 6-8 hours. In the cooling apartment of a two-door refrigerator (0-4 ℃) for 72 hours. In the self-contained freezer until of a refrigerator for 2 months.
BreastMilk Is the Best! Breastmilk is the most precious natural food for your baby. Breastmilk can help your baby grow up healthier. Breastfeeding can bring a close loving relationship between you and your baby.
You are most welcome to join the breastfeeding support groups organized by the Maternal and Child Health Centres. If you have any queries on breast feeding, please contact the medical and nursing staff of Maternal and Child Health Centres or call the Department of Health's breastfeeding Hotline: 2961 8868 For more health information, please call the Department of Health's 24- hour prerecorded health education hotline: 2833 0111 or visit the website of the Central Health Education Unit, Department of Health: www.cheu.gov.hk

 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006