Breastfeeding Encouragement Campaign

• It contains all nutrients the baby needs during his first six months.
• It contains a host of factors that protect the baby while his immunity system is still developing.
• It helps the baby to resist infection and illness, even later in life.
• It reduces the long-term obesity risk.
• It helps develop eye, brain and other physiological systems.
• It helps develop the jaw.
• Breastfed children will achieve better results in IQ tests.
• Giving nothing but breast milk is recommended for the first six months (26 weeks) of your baby's life.

• After birth uterine bleeding.
• Breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
• Osteoporosis.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Obesity.

• Sit upright with your back and feet supported. 
• Wrap your arms around the baby’s back and bring it closer to you.
• Instead of supporting your baby's head, place your palm under its neck and shoulder to allow it to take the proper position for breastfeeding. You can also use pillows to support the baby.
• Bring your baby closer to your beast without bending your back.
• Make sure your nipple touches your baby's upper lip. 
• Gently rub the nipple on his mouth and you will notice his response by opening mouth and moving his tongue down.  
• Make sure his lip latches firmly on the nipple and part of the breast. 
• It is better to switch sides when breastfeeding, if you fed your baby form on side, use the other one in the next feeding and so on. Make sure to clean your nipple with a wet cloth before feeding.

 

There is no reason that prevents mothers from breastfeeding their babies, only they need help during first days and choose the best way.

 

You can breastfeed your baby. Different sizes and shapes of nipples have nothing to do with milk production. Some women may need help to learn how to breastfeed. 

• Congestion symptoms: painful swelling in the breast and hardened nipple.
• When your breast is congested, wear a good fitting bra if your breasts are heavy. You should also squeeze and empty your breasts either by repeated feedings of your baby or by using a breast pump, as well as placing a warm compress on the congested breast for 3-5 minutes before feeding.
• Use moisturizing cream upon approval of your doctor to prevent sore nipple.

If you take some medicines, first ask your doctor if you can continue taking them while breastfeed your baby because some medicines are safe during breastfeeding and do not harm the baby, while others do. 

 

Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a baby and it should not hurt. If you experience pain in your breasts or nipples, it is usually because your baby is not positioned properly. Ask your doctor to help spot the problem.

• Feeding Your Baby:
  It is important to feed your newborn at least 8–12 times every 24 hours during the first week. 
• You must also feed your baby as soon as it shows signs of hunger, including:
•  Making sounds or screaming. 
•  Crying.
• Sucking on fist or fingers.
• Putting hands in mouth.
• Moving arms and legs.
• Tightened fists.
• urning head toward anything that touches his cheek or mouth.urning head toward anything that touches his cheek or mouth.

• Breastfeeding may take 10 to 25 minutes or until the baby shows signs of fullness (such as slowing down in sucking, spitting out the breast and loosening hands, arms and legs). 

• When he is calm and comfortable after a feeding session. 
• When his feces are soft and yellow colored at the end of first week.
• When he has 5+ bowel motions during the first weeks after birth.
• When he urinates 6+ times a day.
• When its growth is healthy and his weight is commensurate with his height and age.
• When he is swallowing with a clear sound.

• It can be stored in small and clean bottles that is enough for one feeding session. 
• Get rid of the remaining milk after feeding your baby.
• Do not refreeze milk after thawing.
• Do not shake breastmilk. 
• Label your milk storage container with date of pumping session.
• It is not required to make you breast milk very hot, you better keep it at room temperature. 
• You can thaw your frozen milk by placing it in the refrigerator overnight (it will be safe for 24 hours), or place it in warm water (it will be safe for an hour or two). 
• Avoid adding warm milk to already cooled or frozen milk
• Never microwave breast milk. 

• 4 hours at room temperature, no need for reheating.
• 3 days in refrigerator.
• 3-6 months in freezer compartment, but this may reduce the milk nutrition quality.

• If she remains at work for a short period, it is preferable to feed her baby before leaving her home and after returning.
  If working hours are flexible, she can be late for work for one hour and leave early.
• If she will be out for a long period, she may take her baby to a nursery adjacent to her work so she can feed it any time.
• If she cannot take her baby with her, be sure to squeeze and empty your breasts either by hands or by using a breast pump, which is available in different types for each mother, to collect the milk to be given to the baby while she is out, and ask the babysitter to feed him.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months with the introduction of safe and nutritious complementary food thereafter, with continued breastfeeding for two years or for as long as possible. The food should provide sufficient amount of energy and protein to meet the baby’s nutritional needs and ensure its steady growth.