1,2,3's of Breastfeeding
The first thing mom(and dad) need to remember is to relax. This is as new for baby as it is for you. Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond and connect with baby. However, both baby and mom need to be as relaxed as possible for it to be successful.
The very first time you attempt latch on may be painful, especially if you are fair skinned. Rest assured that this is temporary- although the duration differs from person to person. Here are some tips for a successful start to breastfeeding...
The first time you hold your newborn in the delivery room is a great time to start breastfeeding. At the beginning, your body will produce small amounts of a special milk called colostrum that will help protect your baby from infection. (Your baby's tummy is very tiny, so she only needs these small amounts to fill up. As her tummy grows, your milk will change and you'll produce more of it.)
Turn your baby's whole body toward you, chest to chest. Touch her upper lip with your nipple, and, when she opens her mouth wide, pull her onto your breast, holding your breast for support. Her mouth should cover not just the nipple but as much of the areola (the darker part surrounding it) as possible.
Don't panic if your newborn seems to have trouble finding or staying on your nipple. Breastfeeding requires patience and lots of practice. Don't hesitate to ask a nurse to show you what to do, and request visits from a lactation consultant (whether you have a doula or not) while you're in the hospital (many hospitals have them on staff). A Lactation Consultant in an invaluable source of information. Get as much help as possible and as much advice as possible. While not every suggestion and 'helpful tip' will work for you, it is good to have a plethora of them to choose from.
If you have a premature baby, you may not be able to nurse right away, but you should start pumping your milk. Your baby will receive this milk through a tube or a bottle until she's strong enough to nurse.
Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on. Her mouth should cover a big part of the areola below the nipple, and your nipple should be far back in your baby's mouth.
If latch-on hurts, break the suction (by inserting your little finger between your baby's gums and your breast) and try again. Once your baby latches on properly, she'll do the rest.
Remember every person is different and depending on your medical history your experience with soreness may be more uncomfortable than another. Letdown especially can vary from uncomfortable to painful. You may experience a burning sensation around the areola and nipple during letdown. This decreases with time and practice.
How often you should nurse? Frequently. The more you nurse, the more milk you'll produce. Nursing eight to 12 times every 24 hours is pretty much on target.
According to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), rather than nursing according to a rigid schedule, you should nurse your newborn whenever he/she shows early signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting around for your nipple. Crying is a late sign of hunger – ideally, you should start feeding your baby before she/he starts crying.
During the first few days, you may have to gently wake your baby to begin nursing, and she may fall asleep again mid-feeding. (To keep her awake during feedings, you may want to unswaddle her or remove a layer of clothing.) To make sure your baby's eating often enough, wake her up if it's been four hours since your last nursing session.
The most important thing to remember is, flexibility. Some babies are sleepy eaters- they fall asleep as soon as they latch on. Some are veracious- they seem to always be hungry. Yet still others are snackers- nursing a little sleeping, waking up nursing a little more and so on. While the first few days to a week can be tiring to mom, it gets better. Soon you and baby will have a routine and you'll know exactly when she/he is hungry.
Is baby getting enough?
A good way to know if baby is feeding enough is to monitor how many wet diapers and how many BM(bowel movements) he/she is producing daily.
By the end of week one a breastfed baby should have 6-8 wet diapers and 1-2 bowel movements a day. It is a good idea to keep a log of breastfeedings and diaper changes. So much is happening in those first days it is hard to keep track.
Remember while nursing is the most natural way of feeding and bonding with baby it takes some getting used to- even if this is not your first child. Relax and let time to it's work.
Good luck on your new journey!
Websites:
babycenter.com
mayoclinic.com
parents.com
medelabreastfeedingus.com