breastfeeding

Benefits of breastfeeding:breast milk is the best nutrition for infant. It gives baby a stronger immune system and better protection from allergy as breast milk contains antibodies Immunoglobulin A (IgA). Breast milk is also beneficial for the intellectual development of the infant. Breastfeeding is also beneficial to the mother who can help nursing mother to prevent osteoporosis and recover faster from birth delivery. For family, breastfeeding helps to save money.

What food to avoid during breastfeeding:some food may cause allergic reaction in baby, some food may lower breast milk production and some food may cause colic or spitting up in baby. Food to be avoided by breastfeeding mother include coffee, tea, chocolate, citrus fruits, peppermints, alcohol, garlic, gassy vegetable as well as fish that has a high level of mercury.

Breastfeeding when nursing mother is sick: nursing mother can continue to breastfeed baby when you are sick in most cases. Baby may have been exposed to the virus, and you can pass the antibodies to your baby if you continue to breastfeed. Do remember to inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding as some medicine may lower breast milk production and some may cause diarrhea, vomitting, irritability in baby.

Nipple confusion: Nipple confusion refers to a situation where an infant refuse to latch on mother's nipple or cannot latch on mother's nipple properly after the infant has been given the milk bottle or pacifier before latching on mother's nipple. Nipple confusion can lead to breastfeeding failure. To prevent it, parents should avoid using pacifier or milk bottle in the first three weeks after giving birth and only introduce milk bottle with slow flow nipple.

Most women are capable of producing more milk that their infants require, but half of them suffer from perceived inadequate milk supply due to incorrect method of breastfeeding or other external factors

Music,soup and mood affect breast milk supply: listening to classical music can help to increase breast milk; having nutritious soups that can be found in Singapore can also help mother to increase breast milk supply. Other than that,breastfeeding mother should stay positive in order to boost or maintain breast milk supply