Pei Ching Chuah, from World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), said breastfeeding has a number of benefits to a mother and baby.
\n\u201cBreast milk is so much more than a food. It is a live tissue with many immune factors that give a baby continuous, active protection against infections when the baby\u2019s body cannot yet protect itself. For the first few days after birth, a mother provides the ideal immunisation for her baby with colostrum, milky fluid, which is rich in antibodies.
\n\u201cThe amount of colostrum is small, but it is exactly what a baby needs at this time. Breastfed children are much healthier. Breast milk contains just the right amount of energy, protein, vitamins, water and other nutrients for a baby for the first six months of life. When they are older, breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight,\u201d she said.
\nChuah added that breastfed newborn babies have fewer digestive problems, are rarely sick or hospitalised, less likely to suffer from wheezing and bronchitis.
\nBreastfed babies are also less likely to develop ear infections and suffer from allergies.
\n\u201cBreastfeeding aids a baby\u2019s intellectual development. In addition to the health benefits of breastfeeding, the emotional benefits of nursing include comfort and security. As long as mothers breastfeed, their breast milk will continue to provide their child with antibodies and other protective substances that make illnesses less acute and easier to handle,\u201d said Chuah.
\nStill, breast-feeding can be challenging. Use these breast-feeding tips to get off to a good start.
\nStart by getting comfortable. Support yourself with pillows if needed. Then cradle your baby close to your breast. Support the baby’s head with one hand and support your breast with the other hand. Tickle your baby’s lower lip with your nipple to encourage your baby’s mouth to open wide. He or she will take in part of areola. Your nipple will be far back in the baby’s mouth, and the baby’s tongue will be cupped under your breast. Look and listen for a rhythmic sucking and swallowing pattern.
\nLet your baby nurse from the first breast thoroughly, until your breast feels soft, typically about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep in mind, however, that there is no set time. Then try burping the baby. After that, offer the second breast. If your baby’s still hungry, he or she will latch on. If not, simply start the next breast-feeding session with the second breast. If your baby consistently nurses on only one breast at a feeding during the first few weeks, pump the other breast to relieve pressure and protect your milk supply.
\nSome babies are happiest when they’re sucking on something. Enter pacifiers. Giving your baby a pacifier too soon might interfere with breast-feeding, since sucking on a breast is different from sucking on a pacifier.<\/p>\n
In our previous article we asked parents how they deal with temper tantrums.
\nThis is what they had to say:
\nChris Allen:<\/b> A good hiding tends to work.
\nAnita Dyssel:<\/b> I do the same, roll around on the floor, kicking and screaming. My granddaughter hates it.
\nFires Janse van Vuuren:<\/b> Handelinge. Leer hulle van klein af dat jy nie altyd kry wat jy soek nie.
\nAvril Evans:<\/b> Manners start at home, a child who has been taught acceptable behaviour at home generally will not take chances in the store and if they do, swiftly and firmly introduce your hand to their bottom.
\nDesiree Rowe: <\/b>Find the closest corner and make him stand till he calms down. Takes seconds and no further problems.
\nNadine Hayward:<\/b> Give them the hiding of their life.
\nDerrick Lewis:<\/b> When I was growing up and threw tantrums my parents tanned my arse it cured me. I\u2019m not sorry.
\nHilary Rusch Filbin:<\/b> It reminds me. It was about 16 years ago. We went to Hyperama one Saturday morning. As we walked away from our car this lady climbed out her car with two little boys. The next minute she grabs both of them and whacks them both twice on their bums. Wait for it, she turns to them and says, “that’s in case you throw your tantrums again”. That was so funny. When we passed them in the shop they were both at their best behaviour. I’ll never forget that. So I guess that works.
\nLyneane Lewis:<\/b> A smack on the bottom
\nJanet Burns:<\/b> Smacked arse.
\nBrenda Leece: <\/b>Beat them to it. Throw the tantrum for them. I tried it the other day. It works.
\nDimakatso Radebe:<\/b> It\u2019s hard raising a child like that and when you are at the shopping mall you just let them get away with it rather than dealing with the drama at the mall, but they must be dealt with accordingly.<\/p>