Antenatal Lactation Counseling: An Overview

Introduction

Breastfeeding is important in infants' growth and development and benefits mothers. However, women are scared about breastfeeding during their pregnancy; thus, they need support from trained breastfeeding consultants. This process of educating females before delivering a child is called Antenatal lactation counseling. Antenatal lactation counseling is important when a woman is pregnant as it will give the mother a clear idea of breastfeeding. Unfortunately, most women are unaware of antenatal lactation counseling and face some difficulties during breastfeeding.

What Are the Benefits a Pregnant Woman Can Get From Antenatal Lactation Counseling?

• From antenatal lactation counseling, a pregnant woman can know the advantages of breastfeeding for both mother and child.

• They learn how milk production happens and what to expect initially.

• They can be aware of positioning during breastfeeding and the latching problems.

• They can get information about HIV-infected mothers breastfeeding their children.

• Women learn how to prepare themselves for breastfeeding before their child is born.

• They come to know what changes happen in breasts during pregnancy.

What Is Breastfeeding?

After a woman gives birth to a child, breastfeeding starts within one hour of birth. Breast milk is considered the perfect food a mother can give their child as it has all the nutrition the child needs in its first six months. It also protects children from various infections, and breast milk is a food that is easily digested. Breastfeeding works based on supply and demand, which means the more the mother feeds the child with breast milk, the more milk production will be. It will take some time for the child and mother to adapt to the good breastfeeding practice. Therefore, it is essential to be patient. In addition, breastfeeding provides a wonderful path for bonding between mother and infant. Good and right support helps a woman to achieve a successful breastfeeding journey.

What Is Meant by Exclusive Breastfeeding?

Exclusive breastfeeding is when some organizations give some guidelines for breastfeeding a child, as the child should only be fed breast milk for six months. Doctors suggest only breast milk for six months and some vitamin medications. Breast milk contains all the nutrition needed for the child. It is recommended to give up to one year if the mother is comfortable with Breastfeeding.

What Changes in the Breasts Happen During Pregnancy?

Breasts prepare themselves for breastfeeding at the time of pregnancy. The breasts become tender and full in the first three months of pregnancy and soft after three months. In addition, the size of the breast increases, and it will be so sensitive to touch. Finally, the pregnancy hormone prolactin prepares the breasts for breastfeeding.

How to Prepare for Breastfeeding During Pregnancy?

Although breastfeeding is a natural process, many women face difficulties during breastfeeding. The following is how to prepare breasts during pregnancy to achieve a smooth breastfeeding experience when the child is born.

• Massaging The Breast: Usually, doctors advise pregnant women to massage their breasts regularly. Massaging breasts during the last six weeks of pregnancy helps clear milk ducts. In addition, pregnant women moisturize their breasts well to prevent cracks. Cracked nipples get worse during breastfeeding. In women with flat and inverted nipples buying breast shells will be helpful during breastfeeding.

• Supplies: Like feeding clothes, breast pads, breast pumps, and medications for sore and cracked nipples should be ready when delivery. Feeding pillows help relieve mothers' physical pain during breastfeeding. In addition, they feel comfortable with feeding pillows, making them ready for delivery.

• Creating a Calm Environment for Breastfeeding: women should make a calm place at their home for breastfeeding so that the child will drink milk without any distractions. The feeding place should be clean, and the chair, which is comfortable for the mother to sit and breastfeed the child, should be ready before delivery. Mothers can also keep books and music around them to enjoy while Breastfeeding the child.

• Trying for a Natural Birth: some studies have shown children born from natural birth have a higher rate of Breastfeeding success than the c - section. However, it does not mean that c- section mothers can not breastfeed properly. Women who give birth from c-section delivery can also successfully attain breastfeeding because the mother should breastfeed the child within one to two hours of delivery.

Women should take care of their breasts and nipples before giving birth. Most do not care about their breasts during pregnancy, making breastfeeding difficult. Some of the tips for caring for breasts and nipples are

• Choosing the Correct Size Bra - the size of the breast changes during pregnancy, so it is important to select the correct size bra to wear as this may affect milk production by compressing milk ducts. Mothers are advised to wear soft cotton padded bras.

• Maintain Hygiene - some women may find yellow fluid leaking from the breasts in the last trimester of pregnancy; the yellow watery liquid is called colostrum. Therefore, it is essential to change the bras frequently to maintain hygiene. In addition, pregnant women should wash their nipples regularly to prevent from yellow crust formed by the colostrum.

• Protect Nipples - Always protect nipples from soreness by applying moisturizer after taking a bath.

• Use warm water to wash the breasts and do exercises like arm rotation to avoid the sagging of breasts during pregnancy.

Benefits of Breastfeeding Pregnant Women Should Know:

• Breast milk contains all nutrition that a child needs to fight infections.

• In addition, it is easily digestible food for children.

• It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome

• Mothers can return to their pre-pregnancy weight by breastfeeding.

• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of diabetes and ovarian cancers in mothers.

• Mother gets a close bond with an infant through breastfeeding.

When to Avoid Breastfeeding?

• HIV-infected pregnant women are advised to avoid breastfeeding as there is a higher chance of passing the disease to the child.

• Mothers affected with tuberculosis are instructed to avoid breastfeeding.

• Mothers under medication for cancer and seizures are advised to avoid breastfeeding.

• Chronic alcohol-drinking mothers are advised to avoid breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Along with the antenatal lactation counseling, the mothers should attend postnatal lactation counseling to clearly understand the position, attachment, and many other aspects of breastfeeding.