母乳哺育你的寶寶

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby. It provides all the nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months and also helps build a loving bond between you and your baby.

The first milk you produce is called colostrum. It is rich in antibodies and fats, which newborns need to boost their immunity.

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother

Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial, even just for a short time.

for your baby

breast-feeding:

  • Reduce the risk of infections, especially middle ear infections, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and upper respiratory tract infections
  • Reduce the risk of certain childhood cancers and juvenile diabetes
  • Reduce the risk of allergies and eczema
  • Helps prevent sudden unexplained death in infancy (SUDI)

mother

breast-feeding:

  • Helps shorten postpartum recovery time
  • Helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size
  • Benefit your health by reducing the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis
  • Cheaper than formula feeding
  • can be more convenient

What changes happen to breasts during pregnancy?

Some of the first signs of pregnancy are breast and nipple tenderness. This is because even in the earliest stages of pregnancy, a woman's breasts are preparing for breastfeeding.

Most women experience varying degrees of changes in their breasts and nipples. These symptoms include breast and nipple enlargement, darkening of the nipple and areola (the skin around the nipple), more visible breast veins, and a heavier feeling in the breast.

Your breasts will produce colostrum, your first milk, anytime from the second trimester onwards. The amount of colostrum varies among women. Many women can aspirate a few milliliters of fluid per day once they reach their third trimester.

If your baby is expected to be born prematurely or is unwell after birth, your maternity care provider may recommend expressing colostrum, as these conditions may affect your ability to breastfeed early.

When did the first breastfeeding occur?

Ideally, your baby can start feeding from your breast soon after birth. Most obstetrics and gynecology hospitals support breastfeeding within one hour after delivery. Newborns are usually alert after birth and will try to find your breast and suckle.

Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby is an important way to promote early bonding and bonding. However, if your baby is unwell or needs special care, you may have to postpone your first feed. Discuss with your maternity care provider how you would like to feed your baby soon after birth.

If the baby is unwell or requires breastfeeding, the first breastfeeding may be delayed. Discuss with your maternity care provider how you would like to manage your baby's first feeding.

Frequently Asked Questions about Early Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a skill set for both mother and baby. Usually, breastfeeding is pretty simple, with just a few minor issues that can be resolved quickly. However, some women experience challenges while breastfeeding and benefit from support.

  • Sore, broken nipples - This usually means the baby is not latching on properly.
  • Hungry baby — It can take several days for colostrum to turn into mature milk, and during this time, the newborn may feel hungry and restless. Frequent breastfeeding can help control this condition and increase your milk supply.
  • Sleepy baby – Labor and delivery can be very tiring for mother and baby. It can take a few days for a newborn to learn how to suck at the breast and drink water. To help solve this problem, gently stimulate your baby, keep them alert and provide skin-to-skin contact.
  • Breast swelling - This is a common problem around 2-6 days after birth. As a mother's breasts adjust to her baby's feeding needs, they may feel uncomfortably full of milk. Breastfeeding regularly and making sure your breasts are properly attached often helps resolve this problem.

How to get started – step by step

Encourage your baby to find and attach themselves to your breast.

  1. Look for cues or signals that your baby is hungry. Waking up, opening the mouth, sticking out the tongue, fussing, and squirming are all instinctive eating behaviors.
  2. Sit comfortably with your back and feet well supported.
  3. Designed for skin-to-skin contact with baby and for them to assume a breastfeeding position. Any position that is comfortable for both of you is appropriate.
  4. Hold your baby close to you with their chest against your chest and their chin against your breast. Support their body so they can lie comfortably.
  5. Gently stroke your baby's mouth with the underside of your areola. This should encourage your baby to open their mouth. When their mouth is open and their tongue is hanging forward, lift your baby to your breast and point your nipple toward the roof of their mouth. Their mouth should be open wide, with part of your areola in their mouth, not just your nipple. Think about what this feels like - they shouldn't feel pain when sucking, but their mouth should follow a sucking and swallowing pattern.
  6. Observe your baby as they nurse and follow their lead when they show they want to continue sucking or have finished.

Common discomforts associated with breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is easy, but you may experience nipple tenderness and swelling initially until your milk supply meets your baby's needs.

Some women develop mastitis, an infection of the breasts. If this happens to you, be sure to breastfeed as often as possible and seek medical help immediately.

Babies often want concentrated feedings during periods of rapid growth. Cluster feeding occurs when a baby wants to nurse multiple times in a short period of time. This is normal and often occurs during the first stages of breastfeeding and periods of rapid growth.

    Review

    All comments are moderated before being published

    HealthyPIG Magazine

    View all
    無人機醫療配送:低空經濟下的香港新契機

    無人機醫療配送:低空經濟下的香港新契機

      無人機醫療配送:低空經濟下的香港新契機 —— 從健康、醫療金融到商業模式的全球比較與啟示 在香港「低空經濟」監管沙盒下,無人機由數碼港跨海至長洲醫院,約 12 公里航線僅需 18–20 分鐘,相比傳統 45–65 分鐘大幅提速。本文聚焦醫療價值、醫療金融回報與商...
    醫管局普通科門診改名「家庭醫學門診」——香港基層醫療新里程?

    醫管局普通科門診改名「家庭醫學門診」——香港基層醫療新里程?

      基層醫療 家庭醫學 健康政策 醫管局普通科門診改名「家庭醫學門診」:利與弊、國際比較與香港基層醫療的下一步 醫務衞生局宣佈由 2025 年 10 月 11 日起,將「普通科門診」與「家庭醫學專科門診」統一命名為「家庭醫學門診服務」,74 間普通科門診...
    基孔肯雅熱:被伊蚊叮咬後的劇痛病毒 — 病毒、傳播、症狀與防治全解析

    基孔肯雅熱:被伊蚊叮咬後的劇痛病毒 — 病毒、傳播、症狀與防治全解析

    什麼是基孔肯雅熱? 基孔肯雅熱(Chikungunya Fever)是一種由**基孔肯雅病毒(Chikungunya virus, CHIKV)**引起的急性傳染病,屬於 Togaviridae 家族 Alphavirus 屬。這種病毒最早於 1952 年在坦桑尼亞被發現,其名稱來自當地馬孔德...
    登革熱:全球爆發中的熱帶威脅與防護全解析

    登革熱:全球爆發中的熱帶威脅與防護全解析

    登革熱係乜嘢? 登革熱(Dengue fever)係一種由登革熱病毒(Dengue virus)引起嘅急性傳染病,主要經由伊蚊(Aedes mosquito)叮咬傳播,特別係白紋伊蚊(Aedes albopictus)同埃及伊蚊(Aedes aegypti)。呢啲蚊喺日間最活躍,因此唔似瘧疾嗰...
    流感點樣會引致腦病變、心肌炎同休克?——從「感冒」變成致命風暴

    流感點樣會引致腦病變、心肌炎同休克?——從「感冒」變成致命風暴

    近排有新聞報導,一名原本健康嘅中學生感染乙型流感(Influenza B)之後,出現腦病變、心肌炎同休克,情況危殆。好多家長都會問:「流感唔就係普通感冒?點解可以嚴重到影響腦同心臟?」其實,流感背後嘅機制比我哋想像中複雜得多。 一、流感病毒唔止攻擊呼吸道 流感病毒(包括甲型同乙型)主要透過飛...
    牛骨湯食譜大全|Instant Pot 壓力煲 & 傳統老火湯版本

    牛骨湯食譜大全|Instant Pot 壓力煲 & 傳統老火湯版本

    牛骨湯食譜係香港家庭常見嘅煲湯之一,牛骨湯香濃滋補,配合中藥材更具養生功效。本文介紹肉骨類選擇、牛骨湯建議配搭、常見中藥材分類,以及Instant Pot壓力煲與傳統老火湯版本食譜,並引用科學研究支持。
    澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南)

    澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南)

    澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南) 澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南) 重點:事件本身不代表飲水會感染;主要風險來自水經鼻腔進入。 目錄 ...
    如何判斷雞翅是否變壞?

    如何判斷雞翅是否變壞?

    重點摘要 雞翅會變質嗎? 如何判斷雞翅是否變壞? 過期雞翅還能食嗎? 雞翅可存放多久? 如何儲存雞翅? 雞翅可以冷凍嗎? 結論 雞翅會變質嗎? 會。皮脂較多、表面不潔或溫度過高時,細菌繁殖更快。 如何判斷雞翅是否變壞? 外觀:皮色發黃、出黑斑或血水。 觸感:表面黏滑、軟爛。 氣...
    如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞?

    如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞?

    重點摘要 雞蛋會變質嗎? 如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞? 過期雞蛋還能食嗎? 雞蛋可存放多久? 如何儲存雞蛋? 雞蛋可以冷凍嗎? 結論 雞蛋會變質嗎? 會。殼面有微孔,溫差及濕度變化會令細菌入侵。 如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞? 水測:沉底=較新鮮;浮起=多半變壞。 打開觀察:蛋白渾濁水樣、蛋黃...