Breastfeeding My Baby, Where Do I Start?
By:
Melida Cohen
Congratulations you have a new baby! Having
a new baby is hard enough but when you
choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel that
you made this experience even harder.
Breastfeeding is not as difficult as it
looks or as you may have heard from others.
It is actually pretty easy and a very
fulfilling way to nourish your newborn once
you get the hang of it. Remember as with
most things practice makes perfect!
Breastfeeding is new to you and to your
little one but with a little practice you
two will become pros in no time!
During the first week of your baby’s life,
your breasts will produce colostrum for your
baby to drink. Colostrum is rich in
antibodies and aids the baby’s immune
system. It also helps him pass his first
bowel movement, which is called meconium.
Meconium is black and tarry looking and is
in the first few diapers after birth. Then
he begins to transition to a brown substance
and after your milk comes in, it becomes a
yellow, mustardy stool that is loose and
watery. Bottle-fed babies pass firmer,
tannish stools than breastfed babies.
After 24-48 hours after birth, your baby
will start having wet diapers that will
increase to two or three a day.
Your technique and positioning is a very
important factor in ensuring that your
breastfeeding experience is a great one.
There are a few different positions that can
be used to make the experience more
comfortable for you and baby. Some of these
positions include:
-
Laying down - Lay down on you side with
pillows behind you to support your back. Lay
baby facing you with her head on a pillow
your breast should be level with baby’s
mouth. Bend your legs with a pillow between
your knees and then have baby latch on.
-
Sitting Up – Sit up either in bed or a
comfortable chair or couch with pillows
supporting your back and head. Place a
pillow on your lap and put baby on top of
the pillow in your arms, you can rest your
arms on the pillow to make it easier to
bring baby up to your breast. Bend your
knees to make this even easier have baby
latch on.
-
The Clutch Hold – This is also known as
the football hold. This position is also
good when nursing twins as it allows mom to
have a baby on each side. Sit down and tuck
your baby under your arm almost like a
handbag. Rest baby’s head on a firm pillow
on your lap. Ensure that baby’s feet are
behind your back. Your hand is at the back
of baby’s neck, not on baby’s head. Your arm
will extend down baby’s back , guide baby to
latch on.
These are just a few of the positions that
you can use there is also the cradle hold,
clutch hold, and the transition position. Do
some research to learn these other positions
to nurse your baby if you find the above
positions uncomfortable.
While your baby drinks colostrum and then
milk, you should listen for a pattern of
“suck, suck, suck, swallow.” This pattern
will be rhythmic and there should be no
“clicking” noises. The “clicking” sound can
indicate that your baby is not properly
latched on and may not be getting enough
milk from you. If you start to hear this,
you need to unlatch him and then reattach
him. If you continue to hear this sound
after reattaching him several times, then
you may want to consult a lactation
consultant or your pediatrician.
After the first week of life, you should see
6-8 wet diapers each day and at least 3
bowel movements a day. His urine should be
clear and he should become more alert with
each passing day. Your baby should also be
gaining weight and growing, as this is the
surest way to tell that they are getting
enough nutrition. If you have two days in a
row that deviates from the above indicators,
then you should call your pediatrician
immediately.
Breastfeeding problems, such as milk
production difficulties, are not as common
when using the PDF feeding method, but they
do occur. Even if you are well rested,
eating healthy, have a pretty routine life,
and your baby is growing and getting enough
food, you still may experience a milk
production issue. Many things can cause
production problems. Here are just a few.
Some things that can affect your milk supply
are:
- What mom eats
- How much mom rests and sleeps
- Her state of mind
- The age of the mom
- How many children you have
- Your desire to breastfeed
- Your nursing capabilities
- Your nursing techniques
- Baby’s latch on abilities
If you choose to breastfeed, it is very
important that you take your baby for their
check-ups as needed. If you don’t, how will
you know if he is getting enough milk and
growing at the correct rate? There is no way
for you to tell that your child is getting
enough nutrition for sure without your child
being weighed.
Article Source:
http://www.uberarticles.com/articles
Melida Cohen is the
author of "Baby's First Year: Everything You
Should Know but probably don't" Visit
www.CareForMyBaby.com to get a free copy
of her baby care newsletter or visit her
blog at www.CareForMyBabyBlog.blogspot.com
to chat with other new moms.
