Breastfeeding With a Disability- What You Need to Know

Breast Milk is the most effective and nutritional rich food for your babies. After many researchers and strong evidence collected about magical long term benefits of feeding your baby, newly turned mothers prefer nursing over anything, let say their career, relationships or socializing. Awareness is increasing, the corporate and business sector is compelled to give nursing leaves to lactating mothers, as it's important and an act of humanity too. Breastfeeding has vital minerals, vitamins and antibodies which is a universally recommended method of feeding infants.

Breastfeeding without a disability or a with a disability, has no negative effect on your milk production and quality of milk, which is equally healthy for your baby. don’t make an excuse of your disability, we agree it would be harder for a disable women, facing many hardships in nursing journey but trust us, that’s worth it. Sometimes the mother is physically disable, or maybe find difficult to latch, many times suffering with breasts issues and low milk supply. you can have lactation brownies to address this issue, as it boosts milk production very quickly. Here are few challenges that a disable mother faces and their possible solutions too.

1-      Nursing position

Many mothers suffer from fatigue, over activated sensory problems or physical disability like frozen shoulder, broken arm, pain in elbow or wrist. You can use a nursing pillow to assist you while feeding and secure the baby in mothers hand better. These pillows also support the back bone, spine and neck because of good posture as it's hard to sit for long hours. You can change and bring creativity in the latching position that can do wonders and relief you. Moreover, many mothers feel better control over their baby and nursing when lying down and feeding. Better latching position aids nursing resulting in an increased milk supply.

2-      Breast related issues

Breasts are the main source which produces milk and we feed from it. If a mother is facing any issues like large breasts, sore nipples, clogged ducts, engorgement are painful but temporary issues and could be resolved by paying some attention to it. Put a rolled-up towel underneath your saggy, big breasts to uplift them. The thickness of the towel can be tamed easily. Use warm compresses if you have engorgements, pump excess milk to give some relief.

3-      Breasts pumps

Breast pumps are the best friends for nursing mothers. Mothers with heavy milk production can use breast pumps to pump out excess milk. You can even pump milk and store it if you are out or can’t feed for long hours due to any reason which can be a  hurdle for you. Pumping can help stimulate breasts to increase milk supply. A hands free pumping bra is another helpful and less timing adaptive equipment which helps in the feeding process.

4-      Support from others

Women with physical disabilities especially need help to cope with the whole situation. This support could be bringing a baby to you, holding it while you’re feeding, helping in pumping the milk. Your close relations will always support and help you, so don’t be afraid and hesitate to ask for any help because breastfeeding is the best act as a mother and family usually comes for rescue.

5-      Peer support

Many disable mothers complain that many health professionals and consultants are unable to guide mothers with disabilities. In this respect, experienced disable mothers and midwives come to your help and give healthy tips and tricks to tackle the issue. There are many peer support programmes, groups on social media or other disability conferences to enable help and give related information.

6-      Medication and its effect

 Many medications interact with your breastmilk production and transfer in the infants through breast milk. you must consult your doctor, informing him/her about your nursing and so they must recommend medicines with safe chemicals and salts, which doesn’t hinder baby’s health. Many mothers are on life saving drugs, and couldn’t leave them, these medicines could be dangerous for the baby, so ask a lactation consultant to help you wean off properly. Always go for safe medication while nursing.

7-      Low milk supply

Many medicines and hormonal problems may slow your milk production and milk supply/ let down. There could be natural issues of producing less milk or maybe others, you can have nursing treats like lactation brownies, emergency cookies, oats or lattes which can help boost your milk supply within one or two days. Some famous galactagogue herbs can also help you very quickly in this respect like fenugreek, blessed thistle or fennel.

Closing lines

Breastfeeding is a very beautiful way of building mother and baby bond, bringing both of them close, near to each other developing skin to skin contact, near to your heart indeed. Although mothers with disabilities have to face tough challenges rather than normal women but hats off to their selfless efforts, they’re the best just like super women!