Long after breastfeeding my own three children, I discovered something recently that really blew my mind! Apparently while breastfeeding a small amount of the baby’s saliva passes through the mother’s nipple and the mammary glands assess the baby’s health markers to inform the mother’s body to tailer make exactly the nutrients and antibodies that your baby needs. Is that not absolutely mind blowing? I am absolutely fascinated by motherhood and what the female body is capable of.
Breastfeeding is really the best start one can give your baby in life, for however long circumstances allow the mother to continue to breastfeed. If the mother gets a cold your breastmilk even supplies antibodies to your baby! What an amazingly intelligent system our body is, perfectly designed to help our babies and us as mothers to thrive!
Not only do we have the benefit of specially designed milk, but It also helps the mother’s body recover. The mother’s body releases oxytocin during breastfeeding which helps the uterus contract to it’s normal size and helps the mum loose the extra weight she might have gained during pregnancy. The hormone oxytocin also helps to strengthen the bond between mother and baby and reduces the risk of postpartum depression, it reduces stress and gives one a sense of fulfillment. It is a gift that just keeps giving!
Breastfeeding like conception and childbirth is an absolutely natural process that has kept our species alive for thousands of years. Why then is a process that one imagines should be completely instinctive sometimes such a struggle? Do not feel ashamed if you struggle to get it “right” in the beginning. Some women can experience pain during breastfeeding and this is not normal, nor is cracked or bleeding nipples, if you experience any of that, please contact a lactation expert who will be able to solve the problem for you at the root cause helping you get a good deep latch and checking any oral restrictions. We are very privileged to have the La Leche League to contact for help. There is also so many amazing support groups online for new moms to get so much guidance and advice.
Breastfeeding can also be so much easier and more convenient than bottle feeding. Firstly your perfect supply is always on hand at the perfect temperature. One does not have the hassle of sterilizing bottles, boiling water and waiting for it to cool to make formula, packing of a bag when you go out, not even to mention the cost.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on everything baby related, especially when you are a first time mum. Interference, sometimes even from well meaning family members, believing they know better, is common. It can be frustrating to say the least. The mother must be strong to follow her own instincts and do what is best for her and baby. Here again support groups that are easy to find online, could be a lifeline.
I remember talking to a friend and she said to me, watch a cow, all it does is eat and sleep, that is what we should do while we are breastfeeding. A breastfed baby will feed more regularly, every 2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night is quite usual. Do not worry if your baby feeds more regularly all of a sudden, it is most probably a growth spurt. Of course to have this opportunity one needs a good support system. Eat good food, drink plenty of water and cherish the special closeness with your baby.
As with everything during pregnancy and early motherhood, the mother’s mental health and wellbeing is of utmost importance. Some of us do not have the luxury of being at home with our babies for very long and might have to return to work. If this is the case some mothers choose to express their milk so that the baby can be fed when they are away. For some this is too stressful, I never seem to really get the hang of it. There is no right or wrong, what is right for one mother might not be right for another. If there is too much stress on the mum, there is the possibility that one’s milk can even dry up, which is something that happened to me with my last baby.
As I always say, I wish I knew about moringa during my childbearing years! In our modern world where our food is no longer as nutritious as it was, we all need to be nourished, supported and most importantly energized during this very important time of our lives. With it’s nutrient dense make up that reads like a multi vitamin, it is a great support to both mother and baby.
It can be taken as a powder in smoothies, mixed in yogurt or porridge or actually into anything one eats. One can also drink Moringa tea and even give it to your baby. Children love the tea which is of course caffeine free and so nourishing. Did I mention that it is very affordable?
If you are breastfeeding, try it, your body will thank you.
Freda Linde-Gaisie
Co-Founder of Akan Moringa
