Get ready

1995/05/01 Zabala Jauregialtzo, Arantza Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna

Most health professionals are very clear that for the newborn there is no food like breast milk. Proof of this is that it has been proven over and over again in numerous studies on breastfeeding, that is, there is nothing like breastfeeding.

Most women in the final stretch of pregnancy also show their intention to breastfeed the baby, except for some other, but these cases are special. However, women who are in the last period of pregnancy, usually in Health Centers or Planning Centers, have the possibility of carrying out a training course on childbirth, which insists on the benefits of breastfeeding of the newborn baby.

It seems that the conditions are perfect to carry out a good lactation, since on the one hand health professionals are betting on natural lactation and on the other the mothers are also willing to breastfeed.

Newborn children (except for special cases) should take breast milk for at least four months and better even if they take it for six months. But what is happening? Many times, when leaving the hospital, the mother, the child leaves in arms and with the bottle in the bag. Or, before the month passes, you can leave the Health Center in the same way. In more cases than expected, the mother just gave artificial milk, biberoic.

For its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) points out that most women (more than 97%) are physiologically able to breastfeed their children and meet their needs.

If so, what is the reason for breastfeeding failure? An Australian author (Minchin M.) states that this is the ignorance of professionals and that this ignorance is unbearable today.

We must take this opinion into account and know what is happening in our daily work, know the problems that arise and, in any case, be dressed in lactation knowing and mastering the techniques. In short, offer confidence, knowledge and direct help to the mother or person who will start breastfeeding. That is, professionally help the mother who wants to breastfeed.

Therefore, it is worth remembering some points again.

1. Very few cases are considered as organic hypogalactia (shortage of milk).
2. Breastfeeding without schedules. Breastfeed the child whenever requested and during the desired season.
3. The success of breastfeeding is that the baby empties the breast well.
4. The composition of breast milk and the rate of extraction change from the moment the baby starts to pick up the breast. At first the child gets a lot of milk from his mother, but has little calories. In the end it is very rich in calories.
5. The mother should know how to use the natural reflexes of the child, especially so that she learns to take the breast well. Assistance will be provided at this stage. Breastfeeding is a technique that is learned and practiced.
6. Pain when breastfeeding or the formation of pauses indicates that the breastfeeding technique is not adequate and that something must be corrected (for example, posture).
7. The child has not begun to cry (last indicator of hunger), but must offer the chest nothing more feel hungry.
8. It is necessary to give confidence to the mother that she is able to give milk. As the child takes the breast, the mother will have milk.
9. Breastfeeding in public places is not a setback.
10. To the woman who has to start working, you have to offer help to continue breastfeeding and not put obstacles.