Breastfeeding 101
By: Ashley Rodriguez
What is Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is the feeding of milk from a woman's breast to provide nutrients to babies and young children. Breastfeeding consists of 3 stages of lactation which are:
- 1-2 days after delivery; milk begins to form (colostrum)
- 2-5 days after delivery; milk arrives
- Day 5-10; milk production and composition is stable
The benefits of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding provides both the mother and the child with many health benefits. These benefits include:
- good balance of nutrients
- easily digestible and absorbable for the baby
- no cost
- no preparation time
- prevents infectious diseases
- helps mom lose weight faster
- always the right temperature
- reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine and breast cancer.
How Do My Breasts Make Milk?
What to avoid during breastfeeding
- consuming alcohol immediately before breastfeeding
- not eating the proper nutrients
- not pumping out the milk regularly (which may cause infections)