Worried about breastfeeding? Don't worry, Dr. Angela María Olarte and Dr. Ana María Escalante, pediatricians at the Fundación Valle del Lili They will explain the ABCs of breastfeeding, so that the process of feeding your baby is simple and you enjoy every moment of motherhood.
The importance of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the act of feeding a newborn baby directly from the mother's breast, or by breastfeeding if breastfeeding is not possible. Breastfeeding is very important because it is the ideal food for your baby, containing all the nutrients they need for growth and development. Breastfeeding should begin within the first hour of the newborn's life; however, we know that sometimes circumstances prevent this contact from happening within that timeframe, so ideally it should begin as soon as possible.
Throughout the entire breastfeeding process, there can be up to three different types of milk: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk.
Colostrum is the milk produced during the first three days after a baby's birth. It is high in protein and is usually yellow in color. The importance of colostrum lies in the fact that it provides the baby with what they need to start their digestive and immune systems. It also contains antibodies, which are defense cells that the baby is not born with and which are provided through breast milk.
Next comes transitional milk, usually around the fourth day postpartum. This is when the milk "comes in," and milk production begins, along with changes in the breasts such as pain, engorgement, swelling, and sometimes lumps. Finally, mature milk starts to come in around day 9 or 10 and will continue until breastfeeding ends.
Types of milk during feedings
It is also important to note that during breastfeeding there are two types of milk that are very important to know:
- The starter milk When it begins to come out of the breast. It is a very liquid, watery milk, even bluish in color; this milk is rich in water and lactose and its function is to quench the thirst of the newborn.
- The milk that's at the end From breastfeeding. It is rich in fats and what it does is make the baby feel satisfied and satiated, allowing for adequate weight gain.
How much should a newborn baby eat?
This is a significant challenge because we come from a culture where everything is measured, weighed, and visualized, but breastfeeding isn't measured and can't be objectively calculated. On the first day of life, a baby's stomach capacity is 5 centimeters, which is really just a few drops, not an ounce as we might initially think. For a baby to be able to ingest an ounce, it takes about a week of life, which is the minimum time necessary for that baby to be adequately nourished.
Want to learn more about breastfeeding? We invite you to watch this video that answers the most common questions that may arise during the breastfeeding process. Remember: breastfeeding is the best gift you can give your baby.
