Breast milk, the best food for baby.

Breastmilk is perfectly and uniquely made for our babies. Why do I say that? Because breastmilk composition is dynamic. Mothers who give birth to premature babies will produce milk with higher protein that encourage growth. Even within the same feed, the variation of foremilk and hindmilk is built for the baby's need.

WHO World Health Organisation has recommended that all babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. NO other food or drink is allowed. Breastfeeding can continue beyond 6 months, with the beginning of weaning diet. There are at least 400 substances found in breastmilk and not found in formula milk; it helps to boost the baby's immunity with its unique live antibodies, and promote brain growth with all the necessary ingredients. It is free, clean and instant.

Benefits of breastfeeding are abundant. Babies who are exclusively breastfed have:

• less diarrhoea disease. 
• less chest infection
• less ear infection
• less risk of becoming a fussy eater
• less constipation 
• less obese
• less allergy
• lower risk of childhood diabetes
• lower risk of some childhood cancer
• better fine motor skill in later life.

Breastfeeding is also beneficial for nursing mothers in terms of:

• lower risk breast and ovarian cancer.
• natural way to lose weight because breastmilk will use up to 800calories a day
• improving mother-baby bonding
• natural contraception method, although not 100%
• protection of osteoporosis

To ensure successful breastfeeding, we recommend mother to breastfeed within 1st hour after delivery. As soon as the baby is breathing well and stable, mid-wife can place the baby on mother's chest or stomach, skin-to-skin. With correct position, normal baby will latch naturally.

There are many positions for breastfeeding (cross cradle hold, cradle hold, football hold and side lying hold). Just check the following steps:

• Mother must be comfortable and relaxed
• Support the baby neck, shoulder and back, so that the head and body are in a straight line
• Place the baby with his nose at the same level with the nipple. This will allow the baby to reach and attach to the breast. His top lip should brush against the nipple. You may tickle baby's lower lip with nipple to stimulate rooting reflex.
• With the baby's mouth opens wide, his chin is able to touch the breast first. This will allow baby to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath the nipple
• The baby's cheek should look full and rounded during feeding. The baby's lips are gums should be around the areola and not just on the nipple.
• Mothers can feel a tugging sensation at first, but it should not be painful if the position is correct.

Many mothers do not feel their breasts are full, and are worried that they have insufficient milk supply in the first few days. This is very normal. The milk at this stage is called "colostrum", which is runny and yellowish. It contains lots of vitamin and antibodies for a good start in life for babies, so sometime we call it "the first immunisation of life".

3-5 days after delivery, mothers should feel their breasts are heavier and fuller, and the milk has "come in". We encourage mothers to breastfeed frequently after delivery, one to stimulate milk to come in, second to prevent breast engorgement. If a mother doesn't breastfeed from the beginning, she may experience engorgement at this stage, because the milk will be difficult to let out without baby's latching. Mother will experience pain and may have complication of breast abscess.

In Kuching, we have a local breastfeeding peers support group http://malaysianbfpc.org/. A few doctors are very keen in breastfeeding, and have trained to be breastfeeding counsellors. Do ask if any problem arises.