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Breastfeeding is a beautiful and important step in caring for your baby. It is natural nutrition with all the essential ingredients. It not only provides health benefits for your little one, but also strengthens the bond between you and your child. However, breastfeeding can sometimes present challenges. Therefore, on this page, we offer information and tips to support you in breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a wonderful and intimate moment between you and your baby. When you breastfeed, your baby drinks small amounts of Colostrum for the first few days. This is the "first" breast milk you produce after you give birth. Colostrum is a thicker and yellower form of breast milk and plays a significant role in building your baby's immune system. After about two to four days, the production of mature breast milk begins. But do not worry if this is not the case for you, as everyone is different.
Take your time to get yourself and your baby used to giving and receiving breast milk. It doesn't all have to be perfect right away. We understand that breastfeeding does not come naturally to everyone, which is why it is important to know that there is help and support if you need it. You can always contact your maternity professional or midwife for this.
Know that with BabyManager you are never alone, because there is always someone available to support you - even in the middle of the night.
Benefits of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to provide nutrition for your baby, and it offers numerous benefits for both you and your little one.
Strengthened bond
As mentioned earlier, breastfeeding can contribute to a strong bond between you and your baby, which can help your little one's emotional development.
More than just nutritional value
Not only is it the perfect food that is tailored to your baby's needs, but it also contains antibacterial and antiviral elements that help protect the baby from diseases and infections. For your baby, breast milk is easy to digest and above all offers love and comfort.
Benefits for you
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for your baby, but it also offers benefits for you as a mother. For example, breastfeeding can help your body recover faster after giving birth and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Moreover, breastfeeding can also help you regain the weight you had before pregnancy. Not to mention, it offers the opportunity to feed your baby anytime, anywhere. In fact, you always have the right food at the right temperature available for your baby, which makes traveling and outings with your little one easier.
How long to breastfeed?
It is recommended to exclusively breastfeed for at least six months. It is important to feed your baby at least 8 times a day for the first two weeks. This gets milk production going and ensures that your baby gets enough nutrients. This is important not only for your baby's growth, but also for you as a mother to produce enough milk cells. You can often intuitively sense when your baby has had enough to drink. After six months, you can start introducing solid foods while continuing breastfeeding at the same time until your baby is at least 12 months old.
Pumping
Of course, at certain times you may not be able to feed your baby directly or your baby may have difficulty drinking from the breast. Fortunately, there is always the option of pumping milk. Pumping ensures that your baby still gets the important nutrients he or she needs, even if you are not present yourself. In addition, pumping is a good solution when you want to phase out breastfeeding and get your baby used to bottle feeding.
Breastfeeding tips
Storing breast milk
Breast milk can be stored for quite a long time under the right conditions. It stays good in the refrigerator (4 degrees) for 3 days. Freeze the milk immediately after pumping and it will keep for as long as 6 months.
Nursing bra
Using aids such as a nursing bra can help you breastfeed. A nursing bra provides easy access to the breast while feeding the baby.
Feeding cloth
Breastfeeding in public? If you would like some privacy, you can choose to purchase a feeding cloth. This will allow you to discreetly provide your little one with fresh milk.
Be kind to yourself
It's important to remember that you do not have to master everything right away. It takes time and effort, especially if it is your first time breastfeeding. Give yourself time and space to get used to breastfeeding, and remember that it can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for both you and your baby.
Do not hesitate to ask
Breastfeeding can be very challenging, especially in the beginning. But do not worry, in addition to your maternity care professional, there are many online resources available to support you. For example, dive into BabyManager's knowledge base or join online courses. You are never alone in this journey, BabyManager's passionate maternity care professionals are there for your day and night.
BabyManager is here for you; every hour, every day
Need help with breastfeeding? Trouble in the middle of the night with your little one? On vacation with a sick baby? Do not panic, we are here for you 24/7. The BabyManager app allows you to video call our passionate maternity care professionals day and night.
BabyManager is the app for parents-to-be and parents-to-be. It offers useful information about pregnancy, delivery and taking care of your newborn baby. With handy week-by-week information and checklists for each stage, BabyManager is your indispensable partner during this special period.
And it gets even better: BabyManager+ Informative is reimbursed by your health insurance company for the first 2 months. Signing up is easy - just fill out the form below and voilà, your request has been sent!
BabWant to try out BabyManager first? Download the app now for free in the App Stores.
