Why was breastfeeding so important for me .
We are mammals and breastfeeding is the most primal process. I am amazed to see how this primal process of breastfeeding has portrayed in the negative light. It is the simplest and the most endearing solution to a myriad of problems and is rising to its old lost glory. The odds I have faced against breastfeeding and bounced back mesmerises me.
As my baby was born a lit bit underweight the pressure from the family even, some doctors were immense to start the formula. Some even subtly tried to gift me of some variety. They egged on me to try and vouched for it so proudly.
Only two persons her paediatrician and gynaecologist stood rock solid behind me and educated me simultaneously. My husband to be very honest swayed a bit but remained steady at the end.
The benefits I have reaped from breastfeeding is immense, and it is still ongoing.
Briefly, I can list down the advantages of this unique journey. I believe every mother have their story to share. Please share your thoughts with us.
We are mammals and breastfeeding is the most primal process. I am amazed to see how this primal process of breastfeeding has portrayed in the negative light. It is the simplest and the most endearing solution to a myriad of problems and is rising to its old lost glory. The odds I have faced against breastfeeding and bounced back mesmerises me.
As my baby was born a lit bit underweight the pressure from the family even, some doctors were immense to start the formula. Some even subtly tried to gift me of some variety. They egged on me to try and vouched for it so proudly.
Only two persons her paediatrician and gynaecologist stood rock solid behind me and educated me simultaneously. My husband to be very honest swayed a bit but remained steady at the end.
The benefits I have reaped from breastfeeding is immense, and it is still ongoing.
Briefly, I can list down the advantages of this unique journey. I believe every mother have their story to share. Please share your thoughts with us.
- No bottles and no accessories for washing or sterilising. No fear of diarrhoea. Looking back, all I can say is that she never had any instances of diarrhoea during the first six months. No water, no boiling and no anxiety of bacteria.
- The stool was perfect until still 6 months before she had any solids. No worries of constipation.
- She is the most hyperactive and underweight girl in her class. Not significantly affected by cough and cold and maybe only once a year incidence of cough and cold. So her immunity I presume is better than her peers.
- The other very funny thing about breastfeeding is when she started on the solid food she ate almost any adult meals with spices sans the salt and chillies. Even she had her choice of some favourite spices. Cinnamon and garlic being her favourite.
- The habit of putting anything and everything on her hand into her mouth when she started crawling was irresistible. Naturally ended up with a slight bit of diarrhoea, but nothing to worry. Just two days of breastfeeding only and no solids she would bounce back to herself. I have noticed the difference with formula fed babies around her age. Antibiotics and frequent trips to the the doctor. It genuinely takes a toll on the health of your child. Everyone would say what no medicine just ORS and breastfeed, and you hope she can cope. But that was the way she jumped back. Simple short and healthy.
- The emotional aspect of breastfeeding is enchanting and fulfilling as a mother. Hope the bondage part remains the same, and it is still an ongoing process.
- The cost of formula feeding is a significant expense which I saved and utilised it for a vacation.
Age old herbs that I found useful are as follows :
Shatavari: Ayurvedic age old asparagus which is a powerful female hormone balancing agent and ideal for breastfeeding. Just go for the organic powder ones rather than the capsules. They are more efficient in milk production compared to the pills.
Fennel seed: The fennel seeds has the same galactagogue substance to increase the breast milk production. Average 1table spoons of powder throughout the day. Another benefit is that it helps in digestion for both mother and baby especially it the baby has colic pain
Fenugreek seed: It also serves the same purpose. Around 3 gm of fenugreek powder, that is around 3 tablespoons of the organic powder.
Just mix all the three and boil in the water for 10 minutes and drink around 3 cups per day.
It worked for me and was simple. Sometimes you can take with the cup of milk.
- Shatavari powder
- Fennel seed powder
- Fenugreek seed powder
- Oatmeal steel cut/powder
- Flavoured water (Basil leave or Jaljeera )
Shatavari: Ayurvedic age old asparagus which is a powerful female hormone balancing agent and ideal for breastfeeding. Just go for the organic powder ones rather than the capsules. They are more efficient in milk production compared to the pills.
Fennel seed: The fennel seeds has the same galactagogue substance to increase the breast milk production. Average 1table spoons of powder throughout the day. Another benefit is that it helps in digestion for both mother and baby especially it the baby has colic pain
Fenugreek seed: It also serves the same purpose. Around 3 gm of fenugreek powder, that is around 3 tablespoons of the organic powder.
Just mix all the three and boil in the water for 10 minutes and drink around 3 cups per day.
It worked for me and was simple. Sometimes you can take with the cup of milk.
Shatavari: Ayurvedic age old asparagus which is a powerful female hormone balancing agent and ideal for breastfeeding. Just go for the organic powder ones rather than the capsules. They are more efficient in milk production compared to the pills.
Fennel seed: The fennel seeds has the same galactagogue substance to increase the breast milk production. Average 1table spoons of powder throughout the day. Another benefit is that it helps in digestion for both mother and baby especially it the baby has colic pain
Fenugreek seed: It also serves the same purpose. Around 3 gm of fenugreek powder, that is around 3 tablespoons of the organic powder.
Just mix all the three and boil in the water for 10 minutes and drink around 3 cups per day.
It worked for me and was simple. Sometimes you can take with the cup of milk.
Oatmeal: It has millions of recipes available but from my personal experience cooking elaborate recipes at this juncture is too much for a mum. A whole lot of added the duty of a new baby is already tiring. At this time all you need is a simple, effective and uncomplicated life.
So oatmeal boiled with milk and water for 10 minutes adding a bit of salt and honey as a sweetener and topped with walnut and almond and some of your favourite fruits.It is the least cumbersome and the most filling. The hunger after delivery never stopped. So you can enjoy this simple meal.
Basil leave flavoured water: The other most important thing is water and loads of it. The average being around 3 litres of water a day being the minimum requirement. If water becomes boring to drink, you can make it flavoured. Enjoy the simple water without sugar or caffeinated.
Holy basil leaves in Ayurveda is used to calm the nerves of the new mothers. It is an absolute necessity, especially for a breastfeeding mother. It also stimulates milk production. Just wash the basil leaves and crush and add it to water. Leave it with chilled water overnight. You can drink the water throughout the day.
Jaljeera (cumin flavoured drink) The simplest version is to make an easy and one should leave the mint leave ingredient.The ingredients are as follows.
You mix the seeds and grind together.After that mix, the dried mango powder tamarind pulp rock salt /black salt crushed ginger powder crushed coriander in chilled water. Mix the spices along with it 1 litre of water. Let it rest for 15 minutes and strain it. Homemade lemonade is prepared. Enjoy your drink.
Fennel seed: The fennel seeds has the same galactagogue substance to increase the breast milk production. Average 1table spoons of powder throughout the day. Another benefit is that it helps in digestion for both mother and baby especially it the baby has colic pain
Fenugreek seed: It also serves the same purpose. Around 3 gm of fenugreek powder, that is around 3 tablespoons of the organic powder.
Just mix all the three and boil in the water for 10 minutes and drink around 3 cups per day.
It worked for me and was simple. Sometimes you can take with the cup of milk.
Oatmeal: It has millions of recipes available but from my personal experience cooking elaborate recipes at this juncture is too much for a mum. A whole lot of added the duty of a new baby is already tiring. At this time all you need is a simple, effective and uncomplicated life.
So oatmeal boiled with milk and water for 10 minutes adding a bit of salt and honey as a sweetener and topped with walnut and almond and some of your favourite fruits.It is the least cumbersome and the most filling. The hunger after delivery never stopped. So you can enjoy this simple meal.
Basil leave flavoured water: The other most important thing is water and loads of it. The average being around 3 litres of water a day being the minimum requirement. If water becomes boring to drink, you can make it flavoured. Enjoy the simple water without sugar or caffeinated.
Holy basil leaves in Ayurveda is used to calm the nerves of the new mothers. It is an absolute necessity, especially for a breastfeeding mother. It also stimulates milk production. Just wash the basil leaves and crush and add it to water. Leave it with chilled water overnight. You can drink the water throughout the day.
Jaljeera (cumin flavoured drink) The simplest version is to make an easy and one should leave the mint leave ingredient.The ingredients are as follows.
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin seed
- ½ teaspoon roasted fenugreek seed
- 1 teaspoon rock salt/black salt
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- Few leaves of coriander
- Dried mango powder (optional)
- Tamarind pulp 1/2 tablespoon (optional for tangy flavour)
- Ginger powder ½ teaspoon
You mix the seeds and grind together.After that mix, the dried mango powder tamarind pulp rock salt /black salt crushed ginger powder crushed coriander in chilled water. Mix the spices along with it 1 litre of water. Let it rest for 15 minutes and strain it. Homemade lemonade is prepared. Enjoy your drink.
