First Four Months

Introduction

Every time a Baby is born.... a Mother is born.

......Anonymous

Oh! The joys of motherhood.
The immense pleasure on your glowing face as you tenderly croon your little one to sleep will make you realize that the gift of motherhood is the most fulfilling of all.

A baby becomes an inseparable part of the mother and the entire family by being the harbinger of cheer, happiness and celebrations. As soon as your baby opens her eyes to the outside world, you become the center of her existence and this tiny precious life becomes totally dependent on you for security, safety and sustenance. You will be amazed at how she trustingly curls her fingers around yours; cherubically innocent in her sleep.

The stage from birth till your little one is one year is called INFANCY. These vital first weeks can be nerve racking even if you are totally prepared. Here are some reassuring guidelines to help you sail through these busy months which will be full of mixed emotions of joy, love, insecurity, triumph, anxiety and a whole new world of new experiences.

The birth of your baby will transport you into a new phase of life - one that is both challenging and rewarding. Take one day at a time and give yourself the opportunity to develop as a parent and to experience the joys of parenting.

Have faith in yourself and the special bond that you share with your baby. In times of real doubt, take advice from your pediatrician just as I have and follow the God given "Mother's Instinct".

When your baby arrives in this world, she will do so with gusto, crying loudly for you and instinctively clamouring for your milk. Nature waves her magic wand and most mothers start producing breast milk immediately after they deliver. However, for some mothers, this process may take a day or two as your body adapts to hormonal changes. This is quite natural and nothing to worry about. Breast feeding brings its own rewards, and like so many aspects of parenthood, it's an art that needs to be learned. To some, it comes easily while others may need more patience.

It's the comfort of being held by you during feeding that strengthens the deep intangible emotional bond between you and your baby. As you cradle your little one closely, this is the closest she can be to the fetal position she's been accustomed to in your womb before birth and so this position provides maximum security for your little one.

Once you start breast feeding (lactating) for the first day or two, a yellowish translucent fluid called colostrum, is secreted in place of breast milk, that is quite distinct from the breast milk. This fluid is rich in antibodies that build and strengthen your baby's immune system.
Colostrum is rich in proteins that are vital for your baby's growth and are satiating, thus ensuring that your baby sleeps soundly for longer hours during the first few days. This is nature's way of letting you to recover from labour.
Within the next three or four days, this yellowish liquid transforms into mature milk which will provide complete nourishment to your baby in the months to come. It is divided into two components - fore milk and hind milk, both of which have specific purposes to serve.

Fore milk, as the name suggests, is secreted at the beginning of the feed and the hind milk towards the end. Fore milk is thinner, rich in protein, lactose, vitamins, minerals, water and low in fats. Fore milk is extremely important as it provides all the above nutrients that are vital for babies, at the same time quenching their thirst. Hence, there will be no need to feed any other liquid to the little one for the first four months.

Hind milk is thicker, more opaque and abounds in fats and will satiate baby's hunger. Hence, mother's milk is a complete meal in itself and takes care of baby's nourishment. It is important that you allow baby to continue sucking from one breast until she gets to the hind milk and leaves the breast at her own will.

Baby's feed time can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of early parenthood. It is a special time together, inspiring warmth and security, and builds an enduring bond between you and your bundle of joy. In a busy household, it provides you an occasion to relax and also revel in your tiny creation.
For the initial four months, mother's milk serves as the natural self-contained complete food for babies.

Here let me share with you a few wonders of breast milk, which make it a complete food for your baby.

	Breast milk is the purest form of milk provided by Mother Nature. Providence has provided this source of completely natural nourishment keeping it at the right temperature for your baby to drink. As breast milk does not demand any pre-preparations in terms of heating and cleaning, the chances of contamination of milk decrease. The chances of overfeeding are also less as your baby will not take more than it needs.
	Breast milk is easily available for your baby at any time and any place. It is ready to drink and thus the chances of preparing incorrect formula are less.
	It is rich in antibodies, which increase the immunity in babies, protecting them from cold, cough, influenza etc.
	Breast milk contains a protein called lactalbumin, and an enzyme called amylase, that aids in digestion and converts the milk into a soft curd that is easily digested by newborns.
	A breast fed baby will also have a reduced likelihood of allergic reactions, as the proteins present in the breast milk are less likely to cause allergies.
	Lactose is a form of sugar present in breast milk which facilitates the absorption of vital nutrients like calcium and magnesium.
	A part from this, the action of sucking milk from the breast promotes the development of jaw and facial muscles of your baby.
	It has universally been accepted that breast milk is the complete and only complete source of nourishment appropriate for your baby till the age of 4 months. All the nutrients required by your little one are present in the right quantities.