Beginning to breastfeed more or less immediately helps ensure that the baby takes to the breast and receives colostrum or "first milk." Colostrum is rich in immunological cells, antibodies, and other protective proteins, and serves as the baby's first natural immunization.
One of the continuing impediments to breastfeeding seems to be lack of acceptance of breastfeeding in public. Although many jurisdictions give women the right to breastfeed in public, some women are still asked to stop on the strength of one complaint.
1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they should be separated from their infants.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming- in - allow mothers and infants to remain together - 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.
10.Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.
Well, this is the final article to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week.
Happy Breastfeeding Ladies!!
Image Source: www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org
