By Oluwaseyi Adeshina

For optimal breastfeeding, it is recommended that women breastfeed each child exclusively for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding while complementary foods are introduced for at least the first year of life.

As the 2017 World Breastfeeding Week gets underway August 1-7,   mothers have been taking stock of their breastfeeding habits and preferences.

Excerpts:

I was mix feeding— Jumai

When I gave birth to my baby, for the first three days no milk came out of my breasts and I was so worried.

I complained to the doctor but he made me understand that women are different  and the experience of breastfeeding is also different.

He told me that some will start immediately, some after a week, some start after two weeks, but the main is  to start  putting the baby to the nipple, that is, continuous latching unto the breast, which would help the breastmilk flow.

Breastfeeding: Still the best for babies.

This was what  helped me. Because of my job, I brestfed and bottlefed, in other words, I was mix feeding.

I breastfed  for about seven months. I would express the milk and refrigerate and it would be given the baby while I was at work and when it finished, powdered milk would be used to augment feeding.

I breast fed exclusively for five months— Mrs Ossai

I breastfed my baby for five months. When I  returned to work, I started taking the baby to the crèche so I had to introduce formula, but  at night I made sure he suckled very well.

For my first child, I did not  lactate until after the third day, so the baby was  fed glucose, and formula was introduced later.

I did not lactate for the first week— Mrs Olawale

When I had my baby, I did not lactate immediately. I was adviced to do all sorts of things like drinking enough pap every morning and at night. My mother-in-law  brought a traditional leaf and told me to wash my breasts with it  while bathing. It did not work, however, the doctor told me to be patient and advised me to  put the baby close to my nipple. I did and after about a week, I began to lactate.

I did not use any supplement of formula and I was able to breastfeed for six month because I took her to work with me.

Breastfeeding for six months really depends on many factors. Most jobs don’t allow women to breastfeed for long and at times it might be  that the breastmilk  does not sustain the baby for long so they go for  supplements.

Not every woman is privileged to breastfeed for six months, but I would advice those  who can to do so because of the benefits.

Breastfeeding was an interesting experience— Chinyere Okegere

For me, breastfeeding was an interesting experience. My baby started breastfeeding same day of birth. I didn’t have to take anything to express or release milk.

Everything went well and I am happy that my baby was breastfed for six months before  I started mixing with baby milk and she is doing well.