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A Brief Introduction to Breastfeeding
By Shilpi Sharma

I recently gave birth to a baby and decided to breastfeed. However, I was not completely prepared and was unaware of many facts. So I realized that outlining its pros and cons might be a good idea for future moms. 

The nutritional benefits of breast milk don't need a mention. Scores of researches on the subject have discovered that breast milk has all the nutrients a baby needs. It is superior to any substitute. Look around and you will notice that babies who were breastfed for about the first 6 months are healthier than those who were not. 

There is another benefit related to the Chakras of our body. Our breasts are situated in the general area of Heart Chakra, which is the seat of feelings of love and affection. Women often mention feeling overwhelming love for the baby when he is feeding and this is a very fulfilling experience. The infant also starts recognizing his mother by her smell, which is an important step in the bonding process. Infants have poor eyesight but their olfactory sense is so sharp that during research they turned only to their mother’s nursing pad among dozens. 

Of course there is a flip side to everything. Often moms feel tied down to the feeding routine and want the process to get over as soon as possible. They have to be physically present at every feeding. Especially the first 2 weeks can be very tiring when the mother’s body is still recovering. The baby’s jaw is still developing so he gets tired and pauses often between sips. So an average feeding lasts up to 50 minutes and they have to be fed every two hours.

If the schedule gets too hectic, investing in a breast pump is a good idea. It makes storing the breast milk very easy and anyone can feed the baby with a bottle. 

Some other common problems like sore nipples and improper latching are temporary and go away after sometime. You can ask the hospital lactation consultant for help also. Another common problem is breast engorgement for which one can use a breast pump, and generally it doesn’t recur. 

Going out with the newborn needs a lot of planning whether he is being directly breastfed or not.  In the former case, one does not have to pack anything. However, one should be aware of when they will have to feed again and find a bench, chair or the car to sit comfortably. Button-down shirts are best in such situations. Otherwise you can carry a blanket to cover yourself and the baby.

In the latter case, one has to pack clean bottles, formula and water or stored breast milk. Finding a place to sit is still a good idea. 

I hope this outline will help you make an informed decision. If at any point you feel a problem is getting out of hand, talk to your doctor.