Serba-Serbi Fase Oral Bayi, Menyusui Menjadi Hal Krusial

Growth and development of a baby is a process that is always impressive. There is one phase called the baby's oral phase, which is shown by the little one's behavior of frequently putting things into their mouth.

The baby's oral phase begins at 3 months of age. At this age, the little one is often seen putting their hands into their mouth. Rather than just a reflex, this behavior is actually a natural phase that the little one has in the context of developing their abilities.

However, it is said that this phase only truly begins at 5 months of age, and becomes a baby's way of satisfying the need for hunger, thirst, or closeness. A kind of 'code' from the little one, right Mom?

Breastfeeding during the Baby's Oral Phase

Certainly, it is realized that during this phase, they also enter the breastfeeding period. What Mom must understand then is that breastfeeding the little one at this stage does not only aim to fulfill their growth and development nutrition, but also optimal oral development.

Breastfeeding becomes a routine that stimulates the little one's oral organs, as well as their mouth muscle movements to be able to suck with a certain strength. This is why breastfeeding is also an important point to note so that their growth and development are truly optimal in the early age of their life.

More Than Just Fulfilling Nutrition, But a Sign of Growth and Development

As previously mentioned, breastfeeding at this stage is not just about the nutrition needed by the little one's body and brain, but also becomes a stimulus for growth and development of their abilities in general.

Babies generally have a natural character to use their mouths as a tool for exploration. It is no wonder that Mom often sees them putting anything into their mouth, trying to taste everything they see, or even trying to eat it. This is a natural instinct that the little one has to find out about the new world where they are.

On the other hand, the little one also has a sucking reflex as a natural movement within them. This mouth muscle movement is related to their need to get food and satisfy the hunger they have, from breastfeeding with Mom.

By breastfeeding directly, Mom can stimulate the development of mouth muscles and the movement coordination they have in the oral area. This is the main reason why direct breastfeeding is recommended, as it has benefits beyond just providing nutrition.

Becoming the Perfect Oral Stimulation for Babies

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The mouth muscle movement when a baby breastfeeds becomes a perfect stimulus for several reasons.

First, the sucking mechanism performed by the little one is different from consuming breast milk through a conventional pacifier bottle. The natural texture and mechanism that breasts have 'demand' more natural sucking movements, so their growth and development are more optimal.

Second, breastfeeding also trains the jaw, tongue, and cheek muscles to form a harmonious movement coordination so that they are able to extract breast milk from Mom's breast. Without harmonious movement coordination, breast milk will not come out optimally. In order to get the breast milk they need, the little one will naturally practice this coordination.

Third, the diverse sensations of touch and taste. Being in direct contact with Mom when breastfeeding also provides positive psychological encouragement, so the little one continues to train their oral muscle coordination. On the other hand, breast milk has diverse flavors, depending on the consumption patterns Mom follows.

2 Main Benefits of Breastfeeding for Oral Development

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There are at least two main benefits that the little one can obtain by breastfeeding for their ability development, especially oral.

• The first benefit is stimulating healthy jaw and tooth growth
• The second benefit is preventing oral problems in the future such as protruding teeth, internal mouth deformation, or misaligned jaws

These two benefits will be seen in the future, when the little one has grown into a child. The slow and natural stimulation that Mom provides is accompanied by love, so that the optimal learning process will be undergone by the little one.

Impact of Natural Breastfeeding on Cognitive and Emotional Development

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Cognitive Development

Many studies prove that babies who get exclusive breast milk in the early phase of their lives have better cognitive development. This is shown by good understanding, memory, decision-making abilities, reasoning power, perception, and language skills. In the early phase of their life, they will show response when invited to communicate. This indicates that the baby has obtained a positive impact from breastfeeding directly on their cognitive development.

Then the impact of natural breastfeeding will also appear at the age of 14 months to 18 months, when the little one starts to develop memory, language, and skill abilities. At the age of 2 to 3 years, the little one can find solutions to the problems they face, and at the age of 7, children will tend to have better intelligence.

Emotional Development

Breastfeeding directly can also have a good impact on the emotional and social development of the little one.

The real impact will increase the little one's ability in paying attention to the expressions and emotions of others. Mom will realize this when the little one mimics laughter expressions, shows amazed expressions, is interested in other people's facial expressions, and so on.

Babies who get exclusive breast milk directly will also be avoided from antisocial or aggressive behavior. These two things are related to the affection they get directly from Mom during the breastfeeding phase.

The risk of a child experiencing autism will also be able to be suppressed to a minimal point because of the psychological and optimal nutritional benefits they get.

Challenges Mom Faces when Breastfeeding

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Having an extraordinarily good impact on the baby's oral phase and their growth and development, in reality, breastfeeding always has challenges that must be faced. Common problems such as sore nipples, then insufficient breast milk production, to breasts feeling painful after breastfeeding, can arise because of one thing or another.

Solutions to these challenges can actually be found in simple steps. For example, by improving the breastfeeding position and ensuring perfect latch-on when the little one breastfeeds, then consuming enough water and balanced nutritious food every day, then doing light massages on the breasts before, during, and after breastfeeding, or compressing them with a warm compress to reduce pain.

If these problems persist, visiting a lactation counselor will be the right thing so that the right solution can be found according to the condition Mom is facing. On the other hand, the use of a breast pump to get pumped breast milk can also be an alternative, so that Mom has a sufficient stock of breast milk for whenever the little one needs it.

 

Ultimately, what is conveyed in this article is intended so that Mom has useful insight in understanding the importance of the baby's oral phase, and what things can support the optimal development of the little one in this phase.

Direct breastfeeding is clearly the main recommendation. However, in conditions when Mom cannot breastfeed them directly, pumping becomes a solution that can be taken to fulfill the little one's breast milk needs.

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Referensi:  

• PrimaKu. Ini Alasan Mengapa Fase Oral Tidak Boleh Diganggu!. https://primaku.com/tumbuh-kembang/ini-alasan-mengapa-fase-oral-tidak-boleh-diganggu--1695034229614.
• Pure Baby. Mengenal Fase Oral Pada Bayi. https://www.purebaby-id.com/read/development-and-growth/mengenal-fase-oral-pada-bayi.
• Orami. 5 Tahap Perkembangan Psikoseksual Anak Sesuai Usia. https://www.orami.co.id/magazine/perkembangan-psikoseksual?page=all.
• Kumparan. Fase Oral pada Bayi Dimulai dari Usia Berapa?. https://kumparan.com/mama-rempong/fase-oral-pada-bayi-dimulai-dari-usia-berapa-1z8dtSsBsaw/2.
• Bebeclub. Sejumlah Manfaat Pemberian ASI Eksklusif untuk Tumbuh Kembang si Kecil. https://bebeclub.co.id/artikel/nutrisi/0-3-bulan/manfaat-pemberian-asi-eksklusif-untuk-si-kecil.
• Alodokter. Pentingnya Peran Ibu Menyusui bagi Dirinya dan Bayi. https://www.alodokter.com/mengapa-memilih-menyusui.
• Blibli.
• Manfaat Psikologis dari Menyusui bagi Ibu dan Bayi. https://www.blibli.com/friends/blog/manfaat-psikologis-dari-menyusui-bagi-ibu-dan-bayi/.