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Partum & Lactation IntroductionCongratulations!!!
You're now a mummy!! Labour
will leave you with a lot of mixed emotions. It can be a long and tiring process
for some moms, while some might have it really easy. It will leave you contented,
blissful and exhausted.
Once your young one arrives, your entire world will
be bustling and bubbling with effervescence, exuberance and joy. It will be a
time for you to shower your baby with unconditional love, which will be your primary
motto. The
period after delivery/ labour is called postpartum and lactation. The
term lactation means secretion of milk by the mammary glands (breasts). During
the first few days after birth, a cloudy fluid called colostrum
will be secreted in place of milk. This fluid is very beneficial for the child
as it has important antibodies to protect your little one from infections and
diseases. Colostrum provides adequate nutrition to the infant until the
appearance of true milk. Breast feeding is very important as it helps
to build a strong bond between you and your baby. It is the best form of nourishment
for your newborn infant. There is no need to panic if you do
not produce a lot of milk to feed the baby immediately after you have delivered.
It will gradually increase as you start feeding your baby more frequently. Your
state of mind along with your diet influences the quantity of milk you produce.
The more relaxed you are, the more milk you will produce. The quantity and quality of
milk produced is in no way related to the size of your breast but is dependent
on the amount of fluids you consume . So drink plenty of juices, milk
shakes, buttermilk, soups, water etc. Consume approximately 4 litres of fluid
per day. The amount of milk produced also depends on the frequency at which your
baby feeds. The more often the baby feeds, the more milk will be produced. If
you don't breast feed often, the milk won't be produced efficiently. This is nature's
way of adapting to new changes. Let your feeding be guided by the baby's hunger
pangs. Don't fix any rigid timing to feed your little one. It will cry when it
is hungry. | 
