|
Do you know how many extra calories you need when breastfeeding or
whether you should be preparing your breasts for their major role
when your baby arrives?!
It's time to test your breastfeeding knowledge with our quick quiz.
1. How can breastfeeding influence a baby's intellect?
a) It can make babies slower
to learn.
Wrong answer. Try again
b) It can boost academic ability.
Wrong answer. Try again
c) It's no better or worse
for intellectual development than bottlefeeding.
Correct!
A new research study has shown that although breastfed children do
tend to perform better in school academically, this is because their
mothers are generally more intelligent that those who bottlefeed, and
not because there is a brain-boosting element to breastmilk.
It's now thought that it's the more intellectual environment in which
some breastfed babies are raised that gives them a head start.
d) ) It makes them like milk
more when they're older.
Wrong answer. Try again
2. Do you have a legal right to breastfeed in public?
a) Yes, all women are legally
entitled to feed their babies when and where they like.
Wrong answer. Try again
b) No, it's illegal to breastfeed
anywhere in public.
Wrong answer. Try again
c) By law, every public establishment
must have a private breastfeeding area.
We wish! Sadly this isn't the case
d) ) It's up to individual
establishments to make their own rules. .
Correct
It’s up to individual establishments, and some are much more supportive
than others. ‘In 2005 the Scottish Executive made it illegal to stop
a woman from breastfeeding in public,’ adds Sandra Jane Tanner, a breastfeeding
counsellor with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM), ‘and
we’re hoping the English government will follow suit.’
Meanwhile, the NCT is encouraging companies and institutions to have
a clear policy on supporting breastfeeding by displaying the NCT Breastfeeding
Welcome stickers.
Additionally, you can sign up to support the Breastfeeding Manifesto,
which has a strong coalition of breastfeeding charities, breastfeeding
co-ordinators, professional bodies and Royal Colleges aiming to achieve
cross-party support for its objectives. Visit www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk
for further details.
3. Do you think breastfeeding can reduce mums' and babies' stress
levels?
a) Yes. Isn't it something
to do with the release of hormones?
Correct!
There's evidence that mothers who are breastfeeding are able to cope
better with some types of stress as a result of their hormone balance,
and this in turn may make a difference to the baby's developing response
to stress - so breastfeeding is best for both of you.
b) No, because it's hard
to do.
Wrong answer! With the correct positioning it's easy.
c) No, because it makes you
anxious that you're not making enough milk
Wrong answer! You may have this anxiety, but overall your
stress levels reduce when breastfeeding.
d) Maybe a mum's, but not
a baby's.
Wrong answer! There are benefits for both of you.
4. What percentage of mums breastfeed for longer than 6 weeks?
a) 24%
Wrong answer! 24% of mums never even start to breastfeed.
b) 76%
Wrong answer! 76% of mums start to breastfeed but sadly not
all these ladies last beyond 6 weeks.
c) 90%
Wrong answer! Sadly it's nowhere near this figure.
d) 43%
Correct!
Research shows that of the 70% of women who do breastfeed only 43%
are still doing so after 6 weeks. Despite the Department of Health's
campaigns the UK's breastfeeding figures are woeful and the lowest in
Europe.
The DoH recommends that mums breastfeed for the first 6 months of
their baby's life.
5.On average, how many extra calories per day do you need when breastfeeding?
a) Around 100
Wrong answer! You need about 100 more calories
b) Around 200
Correct!
Around 200. There's no need to take in these extra calories if you
don't feel extra hungry - and this probably accounts for how breastfeeding
mums seem to lose their baby weight comparatively effortlessly.
If you do feel hungrier though, choose one or two healthy snacks to
make up the shortfall: two slices of wholemeal toast with low-fat spread;
a slice of cheese on toast or a banana and a glass of pure orange juice
will each provide around 200 calories.
c) Around 500
Wrong answer! You need to cut back 300 calories
d) Around 700
Wrong answer! This is three-and-a-half times as much as you
need.
6.How should I prepare my nipples for breastfeeding?
a) By rubbing them with white
spirits
Wrong answer! This is definitely not to be recommended -
in fact, using white spirits can have a drying effect and deplete breasts
of their natural oils, making soreness more likely.
b) By 'roughing them up'
with a towel after a bath.
Ouch! This is not necessary although some say it might toughen
them up a bit
c) By massaging them with
lanolin cream.
Wrong answer! Nipple creams used to be very popular. Some
hospitals are still in favour of them , while others are against, feeling
they contribute nothing when it comes to preventing or healing sore nipples
d) You don't need to prepare
your nipples for breastfeeding.
Correct!
Surprising but true studies have shown that there isn't much value
in nipple preparation.
The best way to prevent sore nipples is to ensure your baby is latched
on properly.
7.What are the special oil-secreting glands on nipples called?
a) Missouri's spots
Wrong answer! Please try again
b) Montessori's glands
Wrong answer! Please try again
c) Monty's pimples .
Wrong answer! Please try again
d) Montgomery's tubercles
Correct!
Montgomery's tubercles. These appear on the areola (the flat areas
of darker skin that surround the protruding parts of the nipples) during
pregnancy, and the oil they secrete helps to keep the nipples supple
8. Which type of breastfeeding bra is the best?
a) One with cups that unzip.
Wrong answer! Please try again
b) One with cups that unhook
Wrong answer! Please try again
c) One that feels comfortable,
regardless of style.
Correct!
If you are more comfortable wearing a bra (and not all women are,
even whilst breastfeeding), a well-fitting, comfy nursing bra will help
to support your breasts properly and prevent upper backache. Go for
a fitting at around 36 weeks of pregnancy and choose the style that
suits you best.
Tip: try unfastening the bras one-handed before making your final selection!
d) One with cups that fold
back
Wrong answer! Please try again
9. Do women with smaller breasts have problems breastfeeding?
a) Do women with smaller
breasts have problems breastfeeding?
.Sounds likely doesn't it? But this is the wrong answer
b) No. Breast size is unimportant
to breastfeeding success
Correct!
All breasts, regardless of size and shape, are suited to breastfeeding.
The only women who may have difficulties are those who have had certain
types of breast surgery affecting the nipples and those who have inverted
or flattened nipples - but there are products which can help with misshapen
nipples.
Ask your midwife for advice.
c) Yes, unless they eat and
drink more than other women.
Wrong answer! What you eat and drink has no bearing on your
breast size when breastfeeding
d) Yes, because there's less
for the baby to latch on to.
Wrong answer! Please try again
10. Which of the following statements are true?
a) Overfeeding depletes a
nursing mother's milk supply.
False
b) The first part of a feed
is the most satisfying to a baby.
c) You should always use
both breasts during a feed.
False
d) None of the above
Correct!
Answers a), b), and c) are all myths. Sandra Jane Tanner explains:
'You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby; frequent, effective feeding encourages
the breasts to produce more milk.
A breastfeed provides drink and food for your baby, as well as the
comfort of being snuggled up. Babies love skin to skin contact! There
are no hard and fast rules about offering one breast or two.
Some babies always drink from one breast per feed, others always have
two, and some chop and change according to their thirst or hunger throughout
the day. Once your baby has finished feeding from one side (detaches
himself and seems happy), offer the other.
If he wants more he will take it, if not he will turn away.'
Where to next?
| 
