Signs
that the baby is in a good position for breastfeeding
are:
A) the baby's whole body is turned towards
the mother
B) the baby takes long, deep sucks
C) the baby is relaxed and happy
D) the mother does not feel nipple pain.
Almost
all mothers can produce enough milk if :
A) the baby takes the breast into his or her
mouth in a good position
B) the baby sucks as often, and for as long,
as he or she wants, including during the night.
Crying
is not a sign that a baby needs artificial
feeds. It normally means that the baby needs
to be held and cuddled more. Some babies need
to suck the breast simply for comfort. If
the baby is hungry, more sucking will produce
more breastmilk.
Mothers
who are not confident that they have enough
breastmilk often give their babies other food
or drink in the first few months of life.
But this means that the baby sucks at the
breast less often. So less breastmilk is produced.
To stop this happening, mothers need to be
reassured that they can feed their young babies
properly with breastmilk alone. They need
the encouragement and practical support of
their families, the child's father, neighbours,
friends, health workers and women's organizations.
Mothers
employed outside the home need adequate maternity
leave, breastfeeding breaks during the working
day, and crèches where their babies
can be looked after at the workplace. So employers
and trade unions also have a part to play
in supporting breastfeeding.
Husbands,
families, and communities can help to protect
the health of both mothers and babies by making
sure that the mother has enough food and by
helping with her many tiring tasks.
Breastfeeding
can be an opportunity for a mother to take
a few minutes of much-
needed
rest. Husbands or other family members can
help by encouraging the mother to lie down,
in peace and quiet, while she breastfeeds
her baby.
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