Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding your baby from birth provides your baby with all the
nourishment and nutrients your baby needs. It also helps to
strengthen the bond between mother and baby, and helps your baby to
feel loved, secure and warm.
Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it doesn't mean you
will find it always comes naturally. The answers below are to some
commonly asked questions. As you begin to breast feed you will find
that you develop a style that suits you.
Step by Step
1. Position - the key to comfortable feeding is being in
the correct position to feed your baby. This helps prevent problems
such as sore nipples.
2. You can either lie down or sit up to feed baby, but be
comfortable. Some people like to use a pillow to raise baby up to
the breast. If you choose sitting, sit upright so you can bring
baby to the breast (not take the breast to the baby). Leave baby's
arms free to move.
3. Position baby across your front with the whole body facing
you and pulled in close. Baby's mouth should be level with your
nipple.
4. Cupping your breast with your hand, touch the baby's lip
lightly with your nipple to encourage baby's response. When the
mouth is open wide like a yawn, draw baby closer to you - baby
needs to take your whole nipple. With the chin against your breast,
baby sucks and draws in the milk. Allow baby's head to move freely
to breathe.
How long should baby feed?
Feed for as long as baby wants. If baby tires or falls
asleep in the middle of a feed, try burping and/or changing the
nappy before trying the second breast.
To release your nipple from baby's mouth, slide your little finger
gently into the corner of the mouth - this will break the suction
and help prevent sore nipples.
Both breasts may not always be wanted at each feed.
How often should baby feed?
Some people subscribe to the notion of breastfeeding on demand,
others strictly every 3-4 hours, how often you feed baby is up to
you, although no longer than every four hours is best unless baby
is sleeping through the night (Oh how wonderful!). New babies do
however need feeds more frequently, you may want to be feed
every two hours (or more often) to begin with. As babies get older
they may feed less often during the day and (usually at night) have
one longer sleep.
Remember to get a daily rest and to eat and drink when you are
hungry and thirsty - even if it is the middle of the night!
At times (sometimes at 2 and 4, and usually at 6 and 12 weeks)
your baby may want to breastfeed more often. This extra feeding
usually lasts for several days and is due to an increased appetite
because your baby is doing so much growing. As your baby takes more
milk, your supply increases and your baby will settle again. This
is often called a growth spurt.
Suckling is the most efficient way of increasing your milk. So
let baby lead the breastfeeding.
Is baby getting enough milk?
Yes, if baby:
•has 6 to 8 nappies over 24 hours (or 5 to 6 disposable
nappies).
•is gaining weight.
•is well and mostly happy.
Breastfed babies often have frequent, loose bowel motions. However
some only have one dirty nappy every few days. If you are concerned
see your health professional.
How is your milk produced?
The first milk made by the breasts after birth is
colostrum which your newborn baby needs. It is often quite yellow
and creamy, gradually changing to mature breast milk which looks
thinner and whiter but is just right for your baby.
Both colostrum and mature milk have antibodies which help your
baby resist infection.
The letdown reflex starts the flow of milk from your breasts. It
can be triggered by your baby's cry, smell, or just thinking about
baby, as well as by suckling. Some women feel a tingling (letdown)
sensation in their breasts as the milk starts to flow. As the milk
comes in, your breasts may, at first, feel heavy, hard and
uncomfortable. As your breasts adjust to your baby's needs, the
amount of milk you produce will settle down and your breasts will
feel more comfortable.
The baby suckling and removing milk increases the volume of
milk. The more you feed or express, the more milk you will
produce.
Tiredness and stress can affect your milk supply, so rest when
baby rests if possible.
Benefits of breastfeeding:
•Immunity from breastfeeding lasts even when the baby is
no longer being breastfed.
•Breastfed babies have fewer serious illnesses than those who are
formula feed.
•Breastfeeding can assist with brain development, and protect a
child against obesity.
•Economical and convenient.
•Provides bonding for mother, father and baby.
•Breastfeeding can increase sexual pleasure due to the release of
oxytocin. Oxytocin causes contractions similar to those experiences
during orgasm. For this reason some mothers give up breastfeeding,
thinking that these feelings are unnatural.