Welcome to Breastfeed Benefits
Breastfeeding Pregnancy Article
Breastfeeding My Baby, Where Do I Start?
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.
About the author:
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.
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