5 December 2022The Christmas season is a wonderful time to be a breastfeeding mom. You get to share the joy of the holidays with your little one, and provide food and all the nourishment they need in a comforting and familiar way.
As one of the most natural things in the world, breastfeeding offers your baby a world of benefits. However, this act of love doesn’t always come easy. For some lactating mothers, breastfeeding can be a real struggle – with challenges such as latching issues, painful nipples, low milk supply or oversupply.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way for mothers to bond with their babies, as well as provide them with essential nutrients that promote healthy growth and development. In Singapore, the Health Promotion Board recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding until two years or beyond, so that your precious little one can reap the many benefits.
Nourishing through breastmilk has been proven to reduce the risk of illnesses such as respiratory infections, ear infections, allergies, obesity and diabetes in infants. Breastmilk also provides babies with a host of other nutrition-rich benefits including antibodies that fight infection, enzymes that aid digestion and hormones which help regulate temperature. In addition to providing nourishment, breastfeeding also helps build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby.
Common Challenges Faced by Nursing Mothers
Some of the most common challenges that breastfeeding mothers may experience include:
- Painful latch: Baby not latching properly can lead to painful nursing sessions and even sore or cracked nipples. If you’re experiencing pain while breastfeeding, make sure to take time to assess your latch and speak with a lactation specialist for help.
- Low milk supply: Breastfeeding mothers sometimes worry about their milk supply, especially if your baby seems unsatisfied after feedings. How you nurse and what foods you eat will affect your output. Eating healthy meals regularly can help ensure you’re getting enough nutrition and calories to boost breastmilk production.
- Separation anxiety: It’s natural for both mother and baby to feel anxious when separated from one another, however it can still be a difficult problem to overcome. If you’re away from your baby, find ways to make the time apart easier, such as expressing milk or using a breast pump.
- Sleep deprivation: It’s no surprise that new moms often suffer from poor sleep due to frequent night feedings and other demands of parenting. Accepting help when offered and creating a consistent bedtime routine can be beneficial in getting more rest.
Ways a Lactation Consultant in Singapore Can Help
Lactation consultants are specially trained to help mothers with all aspects of breastfeeding, from getting started to troubleshooting any problems that may arise. Here’re just a few of the benefits when working with a lactation consultant in Singapore:
1. One-on-One Support
Lactation consultants offer mothers personalised support and advice. They can answer any questions you have about breastfeeding and help you develop a plan that works for you and your baby. Oftentimes, just having someone to talk to who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding can be a huge help.
2. Assistance with Latch and Position
A big part of successful breastfeeding is getting the latch right. The latch is the way a baby attaches to the breast to drink milk. If the latch is not correct, it can lead to a poor milk transfer, sore nipples, and even low milk supply. A lactation consultant can help you find the perfect position for both you and your baby and ensure that the baby is latched on correctly.
3. Guidance with Pumping and Storing
For working mothers or mothers who are unable to breastfeed directly, pumping breastmilk is often the next best thing. Pumping can be tricky, though, and it's important to do it correctly in order to maintain your milk supply. Lactation consultants in Singapore can offer guidance on how often to pump, how to store breastmilk, and how to overcome any challenges you may face while pumping.
Give Your Child the Gift of Mother’s Milk
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that breastfeeding is not always easy and there will be times when you need extra support and understanding. At Marian's Lactation Boost, we understand how overwhelming it can be to become a new parent. That is why our lactation consultants strive to provide mothers with the support they need during this special time in their lives. Our team of qualified professionals are here to help you find the best solutions for your breastfeeding journey.
Like a personal breastfeeding mothers support group, we offer a range of services designed to make breastfeeding as easy and enjoyable as possible for mother and baby. From providing advice on latch issues, positioning and supply management, to helping you identify what to eat to increase breast milk supply – our lactation consultants in Singapore have the knowledge and experience needed to ensure that both mother and baby get off to a great start. Apart from this, we also offer nutritious food for all lactating mothers, such as lactation cookies and even lactation ice-cream – which all help to increase breast milk production.
This festive season, give your baby the gift of love through breastfeeding. Connect with our professional lactation consultants and equip yourself with the best knowledge on breastfeeding today.
