Six Tips on How to Breastfeed Longer

Here is another article I wrote recently at Philippine Online Chronicles' Wellness Section on Breastfeeding.  Happy Breastfeeding Month!

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Based on the 2009 Poverty Statistics released by the National Statistics Coordination Board on February 8, 2011, an estimate 23.1 million Filipinos or 26.5% of the total population are poor. Official government data also showed that 20.9% or 3.8 million Filipino families are poor. They earn an estimate of P230.70/day; P7,017.09/month or below P84,205 a year.

These figures show that breastfeeding can help many poor Filipino families since they have very little budget for food and non-food needs. On top of helping families stretch their budget, breastfeeding also keep babies and moms healthy. This would lessen the chance of moms and babies getting sick and spending money on medicines or hospital bills. Breastfeeding can even help families space pregnancies by acting as a natural contraceptive.

August is Breastfeeding Month and there are many benefits of breastfeeding to moms and babies.

I interviewed breastfeeding coach, Zenaida ‘Zeny’ Feliciano to ask her wellness tips to breastfeeding moms so that we can breastfeed our babies/kids longer.

According to Zeny, it is crucial that a pregnant mom who contemplates on breastfeeding her baby attend a breastfeeding class so she would be well-informed and prepared for the challenges ahead.

Support of the people surrounding the breastfeeding mom can also make a big difference especially in the first 24 hours after giving birth. A new mother needs her husband, ob-gynecologist and pediatrician to be a part of her team. The decision to breast feed exclusively and not to resort to glucose supplement or formula milk is made during the first few days after giving birth. Making the baby room-in with the mother right after birth is a good way to ensure this.

She further said that it would be helpful to have a list of Ob-gynecologists and pediatricians who are breastfeeding advocates so that the nursing mom can get the support she needs in her breastfeeding adventure with her baby.

Here are 6 tips from Coach Zeny:

Coach Zeny teaching Dads how to massage their wives.

 

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