Fabiola Laguerre, RN is a Registered Nurse in Brooklyn, New York. She received her nursing degree at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
By Dr. Dominique Carson, LMP, H.C.
Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits that have been well-documented. It provides essential nutrients for the baby, strengthens the baby's immune system, and promotes the release of oxytocin, a neurotransmitter that enhances the bond between mother and child through skin-to-skin contact. Both mother and infant experience advantages from breastfeeding, including a reduced likelihood of various health issues. Additionally, breastfeeding is an environmentally friendly option.
Recent statistics, particularly from the last six years, highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for better outcomes for babies after birth. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are notable trends in breastfeeding practices in the United States. Among infants born in 2019, 83.2% initiated breastfeeding. By one month, 78.6% were still receiving breast milk. At six months, 55.8% of infants had received some breast milk, while 24.9% were exclusively breastfed.
Women choose to breastfeed their children for many reasons. Breastfeeding provides optimal immune protection and nutrition for babies, as it contains the right balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and antibodies that strengthen the immune system. It also promotes healthy weight, supports proper digestion, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and aids in brain development. Additionally, breastfeeding is cost-effective and always available at the right temperature.
Breastfeeding also lessens a mother's chance of having postpartum depression (PPD).
On a psychological level, breastfeeding is a confidence booster for women because it gives them a sense of competence. Breastfeeding can also improve the mothers' mood after birth due to the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production and regulating mood and sleep. There are other benefits of breastfeeding and its connection to PPD, such as hormonal support, enhanced bonding with the baby, and efficient sleeping patterns, as the hormone oxytocin helps promote relaxation and restfulness.
Breastfeeding Technique
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to nourish your child, but it’s completely understandable that it can sometimes be accompanied by discomfort or pain. If you’re feeling uneasy about your body or finding the right position, know that you’re not alone in this experience.
Exploring proper positioning and effective lactation techniques can make a significant difference in increasing your milk supply and enhancing your comfort. It’s important to find breastfeeding positions that feel right for you, as comfort is personal and can vary from one mother to another. Remember, it’s all about discovering what works best for you on this journey, and trusting your instincts as you navigate this important experience.
“My favorite position is the Cradle position, said Registered Nurse Fabiola Laguerre. The mother of two babies explains there are several ways to hold your child while nursing: Upright position: where the mother sits upright and supports the baby’s head and back. This is a suitable position for babies with reflux. Cross over hold: similar to the cradle position, but in this position the mother is holding the baby with the arm opposite the breast being fed.
Dangle Feeding: Where the mother crouches down and dangles their nipple into the infant's mouth. This position is suitable for infants who have difficulty latching on. Football hold: The baby is placed on a pillow or cushion in front of the mother. This position is good for mothers who have had a C-Section or want to avoid putting pressure on their abdomen. Another position suitable for Post Cesarean mothers is the side lying position, where the mother and baby lie on their sides facing each other.”
Discomfort is common:
Laguerre also encourages women to pay attention
if breastfeeding is uncomfortable especially if the latch is not proper. To get the latch right, the baby will have a deeper latch, chin on breast, lips curled, and the nipple doesn’t rub on the hard palate, which can enhance milk flow. You may have to remove the breast and reinsert so it won’t be painful but slight discomfort is not uncommon as in the beginning phases of postpartum the uterus will contract while breastfeeding.
There are also other challenges associated with breastfeeding such as latching issues, sore nipples, engorgement (when the breasts are too full), dietary restrictions, adding breastfeeding to their normal work routine, low breast milk, or weaning off from breastfeeding when the baby reaches a certain age.
As a labor and delivery registered nurse, Laguerre created an acronym that she found useful for her patients to tackle the many challenges mothers face while breastfeeding. The acronym is P.A.C.K.S.
“P-Patience (mothers need to be patient with the process, the milk supply takes some time. The first 3-5 days you are producing colostrum, which is sufficient for the newborn. After 5 days the milk will come in even sooner for multiple mothers. Skin to skin is considered a supplement for babies sometimes, which helps regulate the heart rate, calms the baby, helps with brain development and maintains infants temperature,” said Laguerre.
She also added that mothers, be patient with yourself, and trust the body will do what it needs to do/ A- Attentive (Pay attention to your body and what it is telling you. Pay attention to the baby and feeding cues. Crying is the last sign of hunger for babies/C- Consistent (Consistency is key in breast feeding, the more you feed, the more you place the body from skin to skin. The more you are telling the body there is a demand for milk supply, and your body will supply/K- Kind (Be Kind To yourself always. It took you 10 months to create life. Be kind to yourself, you are a rock star/ S- Stress (Remain stress free ladies, milk production requires relaxation, stress produces cortisol. The hormone we are allergic to postpartum.”
Reporter Lauren Keating said she breastfed her two children and supplemented them with formula. She stopped breastfeeding her son when he was two because she was pregnant again. She nursed her daughter until she was about 1 1/2. With her son, he wouldn't nurse after birth, which is why Keating also used formula, but he got the hang of it quickly, which was the best bonding experience.
"With my daughter, it was so painful at first, and she exhausted herself nursing. We found she had a tongue-tie, and we decided to have the cosmetic laser procedure, and this changed everything for us both," said Keating. "Again, it was a very positive experience for me! I always say a fed baby is a happy and healthy baby."
Retired lawyer and educator, Mrs. Siner breastfed her son for over two years, but she stopped so she can get pregnant again - as breastfeeding can slow ovulation and can act like birth control 75-80 percent of time.
Educator Chelsea Williams says she breast-fed her daughter, McKenzie for 18 months and plans on breast-feeding her new born son, Caleb for his first year. With her son in daycare, Williams pumps her breast milk for feedings while she's at work.
Transitioning from breastfeeding to pumping or bottle-feeding can be challenging for both mother and baby. Breastfeeding mothers nourish their infants through feeding and provide comfort, safety, peace, and calmness for their infants. If you are transitioning, make it a gradual process and give the bottle every other feed until the infant adapts.
"Bottle-feeding is easier for the infant, as it is more work for the infant when breastfeeding," said Laguerre. "It is the body warmth and skin-to-skin action the infant may find difficult to detach from."
This is where paying attention to your infant and your body comes into play. At times, after breastfeeding, a mother may sense her breasts are still feel full. To prevent engorgement or discomfort, Lagarre suggests hand expression/massage or pumping your breast milk may be effective.
There are also times when breastfeeding should be avoided, as in mothers who have herpes lesions on the breast, untreated tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, human T-cell leukemia virus, particular heart or kidney diseases, and untreated cancer. Any mother taking medications should consult with their physicians. Recreational drugs are harmful to a baby and can pass into the breast milk.
The only way to safely take medication while breastfeeding is to simply ask questions and consult with your health care provider.
Ultimately, breastfeeding offers life-long benefits for both mother and baby making it a crucial aspect of early childhood development. With the right support, guidance, education, and patience, breastfeeding can be a great and healthy start for your child.
