BREASFEEDING MALPRACTICE: Baby doesn't get filled or add significant weight

With zero enthusiasm and just to fulfill an unholy righteousness she sat down on the hard metal chair to listen to the day's talk. As the instructor introduced herself, Caris, distracted herself with assessing her instructor's physic and outfit. Cheap shoes, she whispered to herself...
She had heard so much about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding but the fourth point as outlined dropped on her rich soil like the parable of the sower . It was  the fact that breastmilk improves the intelligent quotient ( IQ)  of children. She adjusted herself and focused on the instructor, like one hypnotized by a psychologist ,with her eyes dilated with curiosity. The weighty words sank deep into her subconcious and turned on her centre for creative imagination. She saw her child with awards for excellent academic performance and just when he was about receiving  the best graduating medical student award, she received a tap on her shoulder which disconnected her from her day dreaming.
It was her loquacious friend, Omasiridiya, who came to seek for her company home, since the antenatal class was over. Seeing she was lost in thoughts, Omasiridiya  lowered herself and in sympathy asked her friend, Caris, if all is well with her. But when she wasn't yielding for fear of being engaged in a never ending gossip, Omasiridiya prompted Caris, asking "I hope its not about your husband again this time? But she gave her a smile, shook her head in response, picked up her bag to go home.

 On their way home,  Omasiridiya persistently poked her friend with words until she eventually engaged her in a conversation. They chewed and digested the antenatal topic. Caris smartly raised the topic before Omasiridiya would choose her victim from her archive for gossip. For Omasiridiya, the fact that exclusive breastfeeding keeps her baby away from frequent hospitalization, saves her some money, reduces the risk of breast cancer, serves as contraception, reduces the incidence of diabetes in her child and increases the bond between her and the baby, was enough to convince her. As usual Omasirudiya did most of the talking while Caris listenl to save herself some energy but they both agreed on exclusive breastfeeding.

Caris had put to bed and waited anxiously for the breastmilk to begin flowing so she can transform her child's brain to that of a genius. It came, in answer to her prayer, first like a drizzling rain and later like a fountain. Out of curiosity and enthusiasm she began quizzing her five days old baby...

Breastfeeding soon became frustrating for her following increasing demands from her baby. The intermittent cries, sleeplessness and occasional dizzy spells squeezed the life out of her and like a fragile egg, she cracked and in a jiffy threw all her memories and dreams away like ashes. Her mother-in-law recommended water to complement the breastfeeding. A suggestion she grabbed with both hands and with thanksgiving.
One week later, the baby was rushed to the hospital on account of high grade fever and stooling.

WHY BABY MAY NEVER GET FILLED OR HAVE SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT GAIN DURING BREASTFEEDING

The concept of foremilk & hindmilk

The MATURED BREASTMILK (breastmilk produced after colostrum) as it flows varies in it's component. The initial milk is watery with more sugar (lactose) than fat. This is referred to as the foremilk. The foremilk quenches the baby's thirst, provides energy and simulates brain development but doesn't fill-up the child.
The milk that flows later in the course of breastfeeding is creamy and contains high fat, higher calorie, vitamin A&E. This is referred to as hindmilk and stimulates baby's growth and therefore promote weight gain.
Both types of breastmilk are equally important and each round of breastfeeding should be such that adequate amounts of both types be obtained- balanced diet.
Improper breastfeeding practices like abnormal posture and frequent switch between breasts results in imbalance. Excess foremilk causes gassing, abdominal pain, irritability,passage of loose greenish colored stool with possible blood stain. This is due to excess sugar in the foremilk.

WHAT TO DO

• Increase the frequency of breastfeeding to less than three hourly.
• Eat good food rich in protein and fat.
• Ensure by inspection that a child gets the hindmilk during each breastfeeding session.
• If observed that the foremilk is in excess, it may be expressed.

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