HOW TO BREASTFEED THE BABY
Things you need to know:
Breast milk is the perfect food for the baby. It provides all the nutrients and water that your baby needs to grow during the first 6 months of life.
Colostrum (thick yellowish milk) that is produced during the first few days after delivery is very important because it protects your baby from many diseases.
Exclusive breastfeeding refers to giving your baby breast milk only, nothing else such as milk, food, liquids and sips of water except for medicine prescribed by your doctor/healthcare provider.
It’s important for a mother to know her HIV status. A HIV positive mother may pass HIV virus to her baby through breast milk but not all babies become infected. By practicing exclusive breastfeeding, the mother minimizes the risk of the baby getting infected with the HIV virus.
Pregnant and lactating mothers need to:
- Eat 3 balanced main meals (i.e. breakfast, lunch and supper) and 2 healthy snacks.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking 1.5l – 2l of water every day (8 glasses).
- Avoid tea and coffee with meals; they interfere with iron absorption and may contribute to anemia. It’s recommended that tea and coffee to be taken an hour before or after a meal.
- Never eat with the notion that you are eating for two. As long as you eat the 3 balanced meals in normal sizes, it is sufficient for you and your unborn child.
Tips Courtesy Of M.P. Shah Children’s Hospital
