should i give some outside milk?

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I delivered a baby today;

I am not getting much milk-in;

 should i give some outside milk?

 

this is  a very common question asked by many mothers;

also a very common problem faced by mothers husbands and doctors.

 

ITS VERY IMPORTANT FOR MOTHER TO FEED HER BABY WITH

ONLY HER BREAST MILK EXCEPT IN EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS

FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL; SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM

HEALTHY WELL BEING OF THE BABY.

 

Dont worry!
its normal!
No mother gets milk immediately after birth to satisfy babys needs.

And hence God had  made a provision; most babies can maintain their health for 24 hours

 without any problems; unless baby is a low birth weight one;

when your doctor will guide you as it needs an individual consultation.

 

EVEN IF YOU DONT GET MILK; CONTINUE BREAST FEED!
WHY?
HERE ARE REASONS:
1. your milk is rich in colostrum which contains many protective factors

and its available for first 2-3 days only till milk starts. Even if it trickles in mili;

its most important for newborn; to maintain its vigour.
2. Another imp thing why you need to keep your baby to breast is that:

baby requires your warmth, skin to skin contact; the feeling of warmth love and care.
3. The most imp : As baby stays close to breast ; he will start suckling.

Dont worry, if baby doesnt get any milk or even if no milk comes out,

or if you feel so; This suckling is a stimulus that results in plenty of milk on following days.

 the later you start suckling; the later milk will be manifactured and secreted from breast.
so its mandatory to continue, breast- baby contact;

as long as baby has good suck reflex and

your doctor has ruled out that

baby doesnt have any major problem to require medical attention.

 

WHY NOT GIVE OUTSIDE MILK?
just because, its not meant for baby,

doesnt contain natural nutrients for babys growth;

 and baby may get allergic to it, or may not tolerate.

remember, the commonest cause, why a baby vomits in early days is..

early starting of outside milk, cos baby cant digest it.
Maternal milk cant induce allergy in baby because baby is already sensitised to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Kondekar Santosh Venketraman
Lecturer Dept of Pediatrics
GS medical College Mumbai