Gbenga Betiku

Hello People.I am thrilled to be back here on another informative episode on breastfeeding. Let us explore the benefits of breastfeeding for both the baby and the mother   Benefits for The Baby   1.Breast milk is available wherever and whenever the baby needs it 2.It is always at the right temperature 3.It is clean and free of germs 4.It meets all of baby’s nutritional need 5.It protects baby from infection and diseases   Benefits for The Mother   1.You will find it easier to return to what you weigh before you got pregnant 2.No bottles to clean 3.Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes  4.Reduced risk of breast cancer 5.It strengthen the bond with your baby   Here are some helpful tips to making your breastfeeding work:   Your child may be hungry if he or she puts hands to mouth,turns head towards breast, has a clenched hand   Your child may be full if he or she closes mouth,turns head away from breast and relaxes hand   Baby is getting enough milk if he or she is back to the birth weight by 10 – 14 days,   Your breast feels softer after feeding and baby makes swallowing sound while nursing   Now let us discuss breast care   You can take care of your breast by wearing a supportive bra, even at night. Avoid restrictictive clothing and underwire bras which can cause blocked ducts. Change nursing pads whenever they become damp or wet. Take daily shower.   At times women who breast feed need to use a pump to express breast milk.When the breast milk is expressed it needs to be stored properly.   How to store breastmilk    Store breastmilk in a clean bottle.Ensure the bottle is airtight.Fill each bottle with enough milk for one feeding.Do not warm milk in the microwave because rapid heating destroys nutrients in the breastmilk    At this juncture we have come to the end of this episode.Stay tunned for more exciting episodes     

Hello, Wonderful People! Today, we embark on an engaging discussion about the fascinating world of breastfeeding. As we all know, breastfeeding is one of the first thoughts that come to mind when a baby enters the world. But what exactly is breastfeeding? It’s the act of nourishing your baby with breast milk, typically directly from your breast. Many medical experts strongly recommend exclusively feeding your baby breast milk without formula, juice, or water for the first six months after birth. Newborns often need to be fed every 2-3 hours. By the time they reach 2 months, feeding every 3-4 hours becomes common, and at 6 months, most babies feed every 4-5 hours. Now, let’s explore the different types of breast milk: Colostrum: This special milk is produced during pregnancy and lasts for the first few days after your baby’s birth. It plays a crucial role in protecting your baby. Transitional Milk: This type of milk replaces colostrum after the first few days. Mature Milk: Mature milk is lighter in color and remains consistent. Foremilk: It’s the milk that flows at the beginning of a feed, and it’s watery, quenching your baby’s thirst. Hindmilk: This milk flows as your breast empties and is fat-rich. Now, here are some valuable tips for successful breastfeeding: Find a Comfortable Position: Sit in a comfortable chair and use pillows to support your baby and your arms. Ensure Proper Latching: Ensure your baby latches onto your nipple and areola. This helps prevent sore nipples and ensures a good milk supply. Positioning Matters: Ensure that your baby’s ear, shoulder, and hip are in a straight line and the baby’s nose is level with the nipple. Position your nipple just below your baby’s nose. Bring Your Baby to Your Breast: Instead of bringing your breast to your baby’s mouth, bring your baby to your breast. That’s all for today. Stay tuned for the second part of this exciting topic in our next episode.    Share this with a breastfeeding mother today!

Navigating the Emotional Aspects of Postpartum Recovery   Introduction: Hello, dear readers! It’s an absolute pleasure to reconnect with you on this platform. Today, we’ll conclude our Postpartum Recovery series by delving into the emotional aspects of this transformative journey. Welcoming a new baby into your life is a beautiful and exhilarating experience. However, it also ushers in new emotions and pressures that can be exciting and challenging. This article explores some of the emotional changes often accompanying the postpartum period.   Understanding the Baby Blues: One of the most common emotional experiences for new mothers is what’s often referred to as the “baby blues.” After the joy and wonder of childbirth, it can be surprising and even disconcerting to suddenly find yourself grappling with sadness, anxiety, or irritability. The truth is, this emotional rollercoaster is not only normal but incredibly common.   In fact, approximately 80% of new mothers go through a range of emotions or mood swings during the initial days of caring for their newborns. These feelings, collectively known as the baby blues, may also disrupt your sleep or overwhelm you. The good news is that they usually subside on their own within two weeks.   During this period, it’s crucial to be especially gentle with yourself. Sharing your feelings with your partner or loved ones can be immensely helpful. Opening up about your emotions allows them to provide support and assistance during this transitional phase.   Recognising Postpartum Depression: If your baby blues persist beyond two weeks or intensify, it’s essential to reach out to your healthcare provider. This may be a sign of postpartum depression, a more serious condition that requires professional attention and support.   Intimacy After Childbirth Another aspect of postpartum recovery that many couples find challenging is the issue of intimacy. Several factors can contribute to this, including fatigue, the substantial energy required for parenting, and the physical healing and hormonal changes your body undergoes.   Communication is key when navigating this sensitive issue with your partner. Discussing your feelings openly can help them better understand your perspective, and it’s essential for setting mutual expectations regarding intimacy.   When Is It Safe to Resume Intimacy? Typically, you can consider resuming sexual activity around six weeks after giving birth if you feel comfortable and receive the green light from your healthcare provider. It’s important to note that hormonal changes may cause vaginal dryness and tenderness, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Using a personal lubricant can significantly alleviate discomfort.   Additionally, remember that it’s possible to become pregnant during the postpartum period, even if you haven’t yet resumed your menstrual cycle. Ovulation can return unpredictably, so using contraception is crucial. Your postpartum check-up is an excellent opportunity to discuss birth control options with your healthcare provider.   Changing Dynamics in Your Relationship: Lastly, it’s important to acknowledge that your relationship with your partner will evolve with your baby’s arrival. While this transformation may be anticipated, it can still be a significant adjustment. Your lives are different now, and adapting to this new reality will take time.   Open and honest communication is your most valuable tool as you both navigate this exciting yet challenging chapter of becoming parents. Remember, it’s normal for your relationship to change; working through these changes together will strengthen your bond.   Conclusion: Today, we’ve explored the emotional aspects of postpartum recovery, concluding our series on this vital topic. We hope this information has been enlightening and helpful as you embark on your journey into parenthood. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to bringing you more insightful discussions in the future. Goodbye for now!  

Greetings, wonderful individuals! Today, our dialogue will persist in exploring the realm of postpartum recovery.   When might you anticipate your initial postpartum period following childbirth? Numerous factors can influence the timing of your first period after delivering a baby. A paramount determinant is whether you have opted to breastfeed your newborn and if breast milk constitutes their exclusive source of nourishment.   Generally, those who opt not to breastfeed may anticipate the return of their period sooner than those who breastfeed – this could occur anywhere from four weeks to three months after childbirth. For those who do breastfeed, some might experience their period within a similar timeframe – though for many, menstruation might not resume until they embark on the weaning journey or cease breastfeeding altogether.   Another notable aspect is the sensation you’ll observe. Both your vaginal and perineal areas (the region between the vagina and rectum) will manifest tenderness and soreness, a consequence of the exertion of childbirth.   In the event of a vaginal birth, the recuperation period will likely span a few weeks, especially if your perineum experienced tearing or you underwent an episiotomy. If your labour involved pushing but culminated in a caesarean section, you’ll likely encounter a similar soreness.   Moreover, post-birth contractions, also known as after-birth pains, should be anticipated. While they might occasionally prove uncomfortable, they pale in comparison to the sensations encountered during labour. In reality, these contractions convey a positive signal.   After-birth contractions play a pivotal role in diminishing uterine bleeding and facilitating the contraction of your uterus back to its customary size before pregnancy.   You may detect these after-birth pains more prominently if you engage in breastfeeding. This is due to breastfeeding triggering the release of oxytocin, a hormone that initiates uterine contractions.   The metamorphosis of your breasts has been underway since the inception of your pregnancy. Around the third or fourth day postpartum, you will observe the next significant transformation as your breasts begin to fill with milk. This might lead to engorgement, rendering your breasts firm, swollen, and sensitive.   This initial tightness and tenderness will decrease whether you choose to breastfeed or not. However, if you opt for breastfeeding, your breasts will commonly feel full before feeding or pumping sessions. Delayed sessions may elicit a more pronounced sensation of tenderness and weightiness.   Blood circulation to your nipples escalates throughout pregnancy, likely resulting in tenderness for several months. However, the initial days following childbirth elevate this blood flow to new heights, rendering the nipples exceptionally sensitive. This aspect is further accentuated if you decide to breastfeed.   While your baby learns the art of proper latch onto your breast, a degree of discomfort is normal initially. However, once your baby masters a solid latch, the discomfort should subside. Temporary unease as your baby establishes a rhythm is expected, whereas continuous pain throughout feeding is not.   If you encounter breastfeeding challenges, a lactation consultant can offer invaluable assistance – you can even request one during your hospital stay.   You’ve just completed an unparalleled workout – the epitome of all workouts – so experiencing muscle soreness across your body following childbirth is perfectly normal. The lingering effects of your endeavours might persist for a few days.   Anticipate heightened soreness in regions where tension accumulated during labour, such as your arms, neck, or jaw.   At this juncture, we’ll bring today’s discussion to a halt. Our exploration of Postpartum Recovery will conclude in our upcoming episode. Until then, farewell for now.  

Good day guys. It’s so delightful to be with you again. We are starting an interesting discuss on the subject of Postpartum Recovery. Postpartum simply means the period after child birth.   You just did an incredibly beautiful and difficult thing. Now comes the transition from pregnancy to postpartum – and chances are you’re going to feel tired, sore and a little anxious. But what exactly can you expect after giving birth?   Your body and emotions are going to experience a lot of changes in the days and weeks following childbirth. Here are some of the key things to expect immediately after giving birth and during the postpartum recovery process.   No matter how you delivered your baby, the postpartum recovery period is generally considered to be the first six weeks after childbirth.   This doesn’t mean that at six weeks you’ll magically bounce back to pre-baby condition. Instead, this refers to postpartum healing, which is the physical healing of your body after birth.   By the six-week mark, your vagina, perineum or C-section incision should be healed, and your uterus should be back to its normal size. Throughout those first weeks, you’ll experience a lot of changes – from new levels of tiredness to hormone fluctuations. And you’ll probably continue to see changes in your body and emotions for several weeks after the initial six weeks of recovery.   Postpartum hormone changes Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers that tell your body how to do something and when to do it. During pregnancy, your hormones changed to help support your growing baby and prepare your body for childbirth.    As your uterus sheds that thick lining it maintained during your pregnancy, you’ll experience some vaginal bleeding and discharge – which is known as lochia. Even if you had a cesarean (C-section), you’ll experience bleeding and discharge.   Lochia will start out as bright red for a day or two before gradually fading to pink, and then light brown or light yellow. Bleeding and discharge will be the heaviest within the first several days after having your baby, but will become lighter as time goes on. Typically, lochia can last 4-6 weeks, with discharge continually decreasing.   How much bleeding is too much? Early on, it may seem like you’re bleeding a lot – similar to having a very heavy period. This is totally normal, but there are a few signs to watch for.   If you’re soaking through one pad an hour for more than two hours, call the nurse line or your care provider right away. Also, if you continue to have bloody discharge or pass blood clots for more than four weeks, call your care provider.   Let’s take a pause here for today. We’ll continue the discussion about postpartum recovery next time. See you then.