Breast Feeding

This week we are celebrating breast feeding week. As part of my job, I visited the Wangige Health Center which was representing the Central province health office.

In addition to supporting this cause, I was there as a proud mother who breast fed exclusively for six months and continued breast feeding until Sonny was 1 year old when he voluntarily stopped. According to the pediatricians exclusive breast feeding for six months is one of the main reasons behind sonny walking at only 10months and talking understandable phrases by the time he was 1year 8months. Also I would like to add like any other mother out there, my child is very bright and cute.

Like any other natural process breast feeding is surrounded by many unknowns and a few little tricks:

1. Breast Milk is not satisfying. The child especially if a boy will not get satisfied on breast milk only, that is why he cries so often. This is the biggest misconception I came across. True, Sonny would suckle until sometimes I would feel dizzy but Sonny was not the problem I was. Initially, my diet was poor because some of the foods that were being pushed my way were in my list of non favorites but I discovered a lot during my breast feeding days.
2. The best stimulant for milk production is water. Yes its true. After several attempts with porridge three times a day, water worked great for me. My best friend who is a nurse one day just recommended this simple product after assuring me that I wouldn't faint for lack of something heavy. Not only did water open up the breast taps but it also helped me a lot with the constipation that accompanies a normal delivery. Although eating a lot of Njahi's (black beans), porridge and endless amounts of soup has certain benefits to the body, water is instrumental in 'manufacturing' sufficient amounts of milk.
3. Dry and cracked nipples. BONJELA the magic healer. I was given this tip by my Ob-gyn. I went to him in so much discomfort and pain after only having the baby for one week at home. He recommended Bonjela which would not affect the baby since it is edible and would not hurt my cracked and dry nipples. I did not suffer from dry and cracked nipples during the entire breast feeding season because every time I felt my nipples were dry, I applied this cream and the pain would subside. However, this worked for me, consult your doctor before doing the same.
4. Invest in a nice breast pump. In case you have no access to one you can easily express by just squeezing the breast with warm water.
5. If one has not breast fed for a certain amount of time the milk does not become stale. Well, at least from Sonny's point of view there was no change. Maybe a pediatrician out there can correct me. What I do know is that hygiene and cleanliness of the breasts is important.

Whatever, little tricks that you learn along the way breast feed! breast feed! breast feed!