SingaporeMotherhood | Pregnancy

March 2021

5 Tips for Breastfeeding Success after Giving Birth

By June Wan

Breast milk, also known as “liquid gold”, is the best food for your newborn. It has the perfect proportion of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to nourish your baby. It contains antibodies that protect your baby from viruses, and boost their immune system. Furthermore, because it is easily digested, your baby is less likely to have stomach upsets. That is why new mums are encouraged to breastfeed their babies exclusively for at least six months, and if possible, up to two years or more¹.

If you are a first-time mum, or one who is planning to breastfeed your next child, you may be concerned about whether you will have sufficient breast milk for your little one to thrive. These five tips below can help you have a better breastfeeding journey, and smoother postpartum recovery.

1. Latch on immediately after birth

Immediately after birth, babies are usually alert, and will instinctively root for the breast when placed on your bare chest. They seem to know what’s best for them — colostrum, the “first milk” from your breast.

Rich in nutrients and antibodies, it stimulates your baby’s immune system to mature, and strengthens baby’s gut health. Studies have shown that babies who consume colostrum shortly after birth are more likely to take to breastfeeding. In addition, their mothers are more likely to produce milk².

(See also: Solutions to 6 Common Breastfeeding Problems: You know you need this!)

2. Nurse on demand, not on a schedule

You may have been advised to nurse baby every two to three hours, or X number of times over 24 hours. But babies do not operate on a schedule, and neither should their feeding sessions.

While it may sound like it, breastfeeding on demand does not mean feeding your baby whenever they cry. Instead, learn to watch your baby’s signals, and feed whenever baby shows hunger.

These signals could include licking the lips, sticking the tongue out, rooting for the breast, or sucking on the fist or the fingers.

Furthermore, don’t worry if your little one seems to need more nursing sessions than another baby. Every child is different, and the more you respond to your baby, the better the mother-child bond, and the more your body gets the message to create breast milk. In the (not too) long run this will improve your milk supply as well.

3. Get breastfeeding-friendly meals from ReLacto

Did you know that you burn a whopping 500 calories per day producing breast milk for your growing baby? This helps you to lose pregnancy weight more easily, while giving you license to eat. But don’t overdo it!

Plan your meals to ensure that they have the right nutritional values to help your body heal after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding, using the right mix of ingredients can also help improve lactation.

If you already have enough to-dos on your hands, isn’t it good to know that you can get the right mix of nutritious and breastfeeding-friendly meals planned for you, and delivered right to your doorstep?

This service is offered by ReLacto — an offshoot of confinement food caterer Tian Wei Signature. While both meal services cater to new mothers, ReLacto’s nourishing and lactation meal packages are crafted specially for mums who have finished confinement, yet still wish to have meals that cater to postnatal nourishment. As such ReLacto offers a wider variety of dishes, with fewer restrictions placed on the ingredients.

All meals are curated by an in-house dietitian and an award-winning chef, and come packed with lactation-boosting ingredients, including a 600ml lactation drink. You can also add on lactation bakes, bird’s nest dessert, and bentos for other members of the family.

4. Drink lots of water 

Normally, we are advised to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. However, when you are breastfeeding, experts recommend drinking more. Not doing so isn’t detrimental; research has shown that your body can continue to make milk until you are significantly dehydrated. Only then does your body slow down milk production. However, not being sufficiently hydrated can affect you, causing fatigue, headaches, dizziness, constipation, and more.

(See also: The Best Organic and Natural Skincare and Makeup for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mums in Singapore)

5. Rest when you can

“Sleep when your baby sleeps.” You’ll hear this repeatedly and in theory, it is good advice. In reality though, this is easier said than done. You may need to get work or chores done. There may be another child’s needs to attend to. Or you may just want to hold baby in your arms and gaze in awe at this miracle you’ve brought to the world. #beentheredonethat

But having enough rest is essential for postpartum healing, as well as maintaining your breastfeeding journey. Worse, excessive fatigue can lead to lowered milk supply, and breast infections like mastitis³.

So when baby naps, try to use that time to rest. If you cannot fall asleep, just close your eyes for a while, and give yourself a break. A well-rested mum is also more productive, healthier, happier, and better able to give baby all the love and attention they need!

Flavour your breastfeeding journey with ReLacto

The three keys for successful breastfeeding are fluids, diet, and rest. While it is easy to top up your water bottle, and possible to get rest when you need it, ensuring that you have the right nutrition can be tricky.

That’s where ReLacto comes in, with its nourishment and lactation meals specially created for breastfeeding mothers. Crafted by an in-house dietician in collaboration with an award-wining chef, the dishes have more variety and are less restrictive than confinement meals.

Best taken after confinement has been completed, these meals can help mothers continue to fuel their bodies with the right concoction of nutrients for postpartum healing, and lactation.

Visit ReLacto to learn more about their nourishment and lactation packages, and book one for yourself. Website | Booking page

Alternatively, speak with ReLacto representatives at 6360 1000 or via email them at [email protected] from 10am to 7pm daily. FB: Relactosg | IG: relactosg

#relacto #sgbreastfeedingmummies #sgmummy #sgmoms #sgmommies #sgmummies #sgcatering #probreastfeeding

This sponsored post was brought to you by ReLacto

Featured image: __ drz __ on Unsplash

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