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Breastfeeding
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Latching |
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Breastfeeding ( also called nursing ) provides
babies with the perfect nutrition . Your milk
is the only food your baby needs through
six months . Your baby continues to need
your milk as you gradually introduce other
foods between six and twelve months .
Breastfeeding well beyond a year is also
healthy and beneficial .
Breastfeeding enhances bonding
and comforts your baby . In addition ,
breastfeeding provides protection from
many infections and health threats . It also
gives your health added protection .
SEEKING HELP
Having a trusted lactation professional to turn to is helpful . They can help you overcome challenges and keep you on track .
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WHEN TO FEED
Newborns need to feed at least eight to twelve times in twenty-four hours . Do not use a strict feeding schedule with a newborn . Rather , nurse any time baby shows signs of hunger ( also called hunger cues ):
• Rooting or sucking on hand .
• Smacking lips or using tongue .
• Squirming , fussing or being restless .
• Trying to get in position for nursing or moving body or head in search of breast .
• Note that crying is a late sign of hunger .
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When you feed , hold your baby skin-to-skin and give them time to find the breast and latch . If your baby needs more help , you can line up their nose to your nipple . Then , use your nipple to tickle baby ’ s lips and wait for them to open wide . When they do , guide their mouth toward your nipple , supporting their neck and back .
A deep , comfortable latch is important . Baby ’ s mouth should open wide and take in a large amount of areola ( the darker skin surrounding the nipple ). Your baby ’ s lips should be flared , with their chin touching the breast and head tipped back slightly . If the latch is uncomfortable , place your finger in the corner of baby ’ s mouth to break the suction and begin again . Seek help if you experience ongoing pain or damage to your nipples ( cracking or bleeding ).
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© Plumtree Baby 2021 . All rights reserved . |
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The Newborn Stomach
Your newborn ’ s stomach is very small at
birth and gradually expands . As their belly
grows , your baby can drink more at each
feeding , but will still need frequent feedings .
Day 1 : a newborn belly is marble sized and holds about 1 / 4 of an ounce or about 5 ml .
During the first few days , your body produces small quantities of a dense , yellowish milk called colostrum . Colostrum has lots of antibodies and helps develop baby ’ s digestive system .
Day 10 : chicken egg sized and holds 2 ounces or about 60 ml .
Mature milk is produced after the first few weeks of breastfeeding . As your baby grows , your body responds by changing the composition of milk at each feeding so that it provides the right nutrients to your baby each time .
© Plumtree Baby 2021 . All rights reserved .
Day 3 : baby ’ s belly is ping pong ball sized and holds 3 / 4 to 1 ounce or about 25 ml . As your milk volume increases , it becomes whiter and thinner . This is called transitional milk .
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Your Milk Supply
Nursing frequently in the first few weeks
helps establish your milk supply . The more
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baby drinks , the more your body will produce .
Several days after birth , your body starts
to produce milk in greater volume ( often
called when your milk comes in ) and may
make more than your baby needs . You may
experience engorgement ( fullness in the
breasts ) that usually goes away within a few
days with frequent feedings . If breast fullness
makes it difficult for baby to latch , express
just enough milk to soften them to make
latching easier . You can also apply gentle
pressure with your fingers on the areola at the
base of the nipple to help the nipple protrude .
You may need to hand express or pump some
milk if you are uncomfortable after a feeding .
Newborn Stool
A newborn ’ s stool ( poop ) changes over the
first week .
Day 1 Stool is black and sticky , called meconium .
Day 3 Greenish , thinner and less sticky .
These are normal , healthy changes that
indicate baby is getting enough to eat .
Day 5-6 More yellow , “ mustard-like ,” watery and seedy .
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Transferring Milk
© Rene Jansa Qwasyx
When your milk volume increases , you may notice different ways your baby nurses . At first , sucking may look like “ nibbling .” This stimulates your breasts to release milk ( called the let-down reflex ). Once milk is flowing , baby will usually switch to a deep , rhythmic sucking with pauses as they swallow milk .
Feed for as long as your baby is actively nursing ( baby ’ s jaw is moving and you can hear swallowing ). When activity slows , offer the other breast . Some babies will be satisfied with just one breast at a feeding .
NO EARLY ARTIFICIAL NIPPLES
The way a newborn sucks for nursing is very different from sucking on bottles or pacifiers . Using artificial nipples too early can lead to pain while breastfeeding or poor milk transfer . It is usually best to wait until breastfeeding is going well ( four to six weeks ).
The information in this brochure should not be construed as medical advice ,
nor is it intended to replace the individual care of a health care professional .
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Feeding Well
There are a number of ways to be confident
that your baby is getting plenty of milk .
Weight Gain
Urine Output
Stool Output
Frequency
Week 1 Weeks 2 – 6
Newborns may lose 7 – 10 percent of their body weight in the first 48 hours . Most babies regain their birth weight by 10 – 14 days .
At least one wet diaper for each day of life ( 1 on day 1 , 2 on 2 ), and 6 + by day 4 .*
One stool for each day of life . Meconium will pass with frequent feedings . Stool will change as your milk increases .
Feed on demand , 8 – 12 times a day or more . Newborns may feed frequently ( cluster-feed ) then sleep for a longer stretch .
Babies usually gain 5 – 7 ounces ( 142 – 198 grams ) per week . Weight checks can reassure you that your baby is doing well .
At least 6 wet diapers in a 24 hour period .*
3 – 4 or more stools a day . After 6 weeks breastfed babies may go several days without a bowel movement .
May be able to go longer between feedings , but be sure baby is transferring milk well . May nurse more often when growing quickly .
* Note that disposable diapers can feel dry after baby urinates . Line the diaper with a tissue and / or look for a change in weight , fullness , smell or discoloration .
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