Basic rules for breastfeeding newborns

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

In this article, we wanted to post 10 rules for breastfeeding newborns, but, having started work on the publication, we realized that there are much more principles, and the more a young mother knows about feeding, pumping and breastfeeding, the more she and it will be easier for the baby. Breast milk is a real gift of nature, which helps the child grow up he althy and smart, strong. If it is possible to breastfeed, then completely abandon the idea of trying formula milk. If you know the main rules and principles of breastfeeding newborns, there will be no problems with this, mom and baby will be happy!

Breastfeeding Possibility

There is no reason why a he althy woman could not breastfeed her child. Babies are fed with mixtures only if they are deprived of a biological mother, both breasts have been removed from the woman, the state of he alth of the mother or baby does not allow feeding the baby (there is incompatibility - Rhesus conflict). Under any other circumstances, a woman who has given birth to a child can feed not one, but several children, while not resorting to complementary foods for up to 5-6 months! The secret lies in the rules of breastfeeding newborns, which we will talk about later.

Lack of milk by women is often explained as follows: simply not, stress, household disorder and so on. In fact, there are no such reasons, and cannot be, as nature intended! If a woman does not want to breastfeed, she will lose her milk. Milk can also be lost if a young mother does not follow the recommendations of doctors correctly and does not follow the rules for breastfeeding a newborn.

For a young mother to be successful in breastfeeding, you need:

• be willing to breastfeed;
• follow the rules that doctors will tell you about both before and after childbirth;
• be guided by the advice of experienced women who have experience in breastfeeding up to 1 year;
• during the period of problems with lactation, consult with specialists until the milk is completely gone;
• learn breastfeeding techniques in the maternity ward, and it is better to attend special courses before that;
• mandatory support for a young mother by family, relatives.

When following all the rules of breastfeeding and attachment, you will not havemilk problems. The baby will receive food according to his physiological needs, and will be he althier and stronger than those fed with mixtures, because only in breast milk there are unique substances that contribute to the development of physical and mental, the development of immunity. Let's talk about proper attachment.

Breastfeeding and latching guidelines

For the first month of a baby's life, you need to learn how to properly apply it to the breast. The duration and quality of feeding depends on this. With proper attachment, mom will always have milk, the likelihood of mastitis, cracked nipples, lactostasis and other troubles will be minimized.

Child may not latch on properly or assume an uncomfortable position while breastfeeding up to 8 months! If the baby is uncomfortable or takes the nipple incorrectly, the breast must be taken away, and then given correctly and in a comfortable position. Do not be afraid to take the breast and give it again, the child is just learning, your tips are important to him, because improper attachment causes him discomfort both during feeding and after.

How to apply correctly?

1. Turn your baby around with your tummy in your chest. The head of the baby and the neck should be located in a straight line during the entire feeding process, tilting the head back is inconvenient for the baby, and for his digestion, and for the mother.
2. Child's chin should rest on chest.
3. Insert the nipple into the baby's mouth so that the lower lip iseverted, outside was only the upper part of the areola of the nipple, the lower one, like the nipple, is in the baby's mouth.
4. Baby's cheeks, when properly attached, should not retract or sail.
5. Mom doesn't feel pain.
6. Baby sucks slowly, measuredly.

Proper attachment allows the baby to suck out the hindmilk, it should not stagnate, otherwise mastitis may begin. Incorrect attachment causes cracks in the mother's nipples, and further feeding is often simply unbearable, many refuse it.

Comfortable position for feeding

Let's start with the rules for breastfeeding a newborn lying down:

When the baby is just born, don't try to feed him while sitting, start learning from a lying position, then you will develop skills, and you will be able to feed even on the go! The rules of breastfeeding a newborn must be observed, because the quality of feeding depends on a comfortable position (if the mother feels discomfort, then the feeding process, which can take a long time, will become just torture).

1. Lie on a comfortable side, lay the baby next to you. You do not need to put it on your hand, as it will be uncomfortable for both him and you.
2. Put a pillow under your back, lean on it, pull the hand that is located on the side on which you are lying, pull it to the side, hug the baby with it.
3. Use your other hand to help your baby grab the nipple.
4. You don't have to hold your breast any further, rest while the baby is calmly sucking milk.

Rules for breastfeeding a newbornsitting:

1. Sit down so that you are as comfortable as possible, put pillows under your back that will not allow you to tip over too much, which will lead to an incorrect posture (it will be uncomfortable for both you and the baby).
2. Place the child on your arm, head should be at the elbow. Turn the tummy towards you, without tilting the baby's head back, help him take the nipple.

Feeding on demand

Feeding a baby is a mutual process, so you should start not only from the requirements of the child, but also from the requirements of the mother. Let's talk in detail about both sides of the process!

The rules for breastfeeding a newborn at the request of a child are easy to follow, since basically he dictates them! The first 2 months of life, feedings per day can be more than 20 (up to 4 times per hour), it all depends on his needs. Any whim, crying, breast-seeking reflex (starts to snort, turn his head, smack) - this is a requirement for food, you need to give the baby a breast as many times as he needs, and not take it away until he sucks himself. You can't be afraid that the baby will overeat. There are norms for feeding, but the baby's body knows its own. The gastrointestinal tract of babies is designed in such a way that it can absorb breast milk almost without interruption! Milk itself contains enzymes that aid digestion.

From two months you will have to apply less often, approximately every 1.5-2 hours the child will wake up and demand food. By six months, the requirements will become even rarer, and you will breastfeed your baby no more than 12 times a day. Notrefuse to breastfeed the baby if he demands, do not change to a dummy or formula, even if you feel that there is no milk! Only frequent application at the request of the baby develops normal lactation, and milk "learns" to be produced when the baby needs it. Many mothers even know when the baby will wake up and demand food, because of the swollen breasts.

If the breast is filled, but the baby is sleeping, nothing prevents you from giving it to a sleeping baby. The requirement of the mother must also be taken into account! If you do not satisfy the need, then milk will begin to be produced less than necessary, lactation will be disturbed.

Newborn breastfeeding and pumping guidelines

Pumping is not recommended by doctors, as it leads either to a decrease in the amount of milk or to too much of it, which can result in mastitis and other problems. But you can’t leave the remaining milk either, this leads to stagnation, blockage of the ducts, and the completion of lactation. Pumping is needed if:

• baby does not empty breasts consistently;
• taking medicines that are harmful to the baby (so you don't let your milk go to waste during treatment and you can continue breastfeeding afterwards);
• lack of milk - to increase lactation;
• if there is no way to feed the baby (forced separation from the baby, even for half a day when you went about your business).

The rules for pumping, breastfeeding newborns at the request of both parties are clear. Next, we propose to talk about the need to feed the child withboth breasts.

Feeding from both breasts

Until 5 months old, a baby can only empty one breast at a time. Do not transfer it to the second one until the first one is empty. The fact is that at first the child receives milk earlier, then later, which is rich in fats, and its lack leads to a digestive failure. Do not worry about the second full breast. In 1.5-2 hours it will be her turn.

From the fifth month of life, the baby will need to eat milk from both breasts at a time. First, let it completely suck the first one, then shift it. If not all milk came out from the second breast, then start the next feeding from it.

Duration of feeding

Up to two months, babies suckle longer, as they not only eat, but also receive psychological comfort from the process itself, tactile communication with their mother. The first 3-7 minutes the child only drinks, as earlier the milk is liquid. Then comes the turn of late milk, which is fatty, this is food. During the absorption of fatty milk, the child begins to fall asleep, sucks more slowly, and many mothers think that he is full, weaning. It is not right! The baby will release the breast from the mouth when it is full.

Feeding time depends on the baby. Some do it in 20 minutes, others in less than an hour. But all this is temporary, from 2-3 months the child will become more dexterous and strong, and he will need less time to saturate.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, the rules for breastfeeding a newborn must be observed, and not taken awaybreast until the baby releases it. Otherwise, he will only get drunk, and all the nutrients and fats will remain in the chest. The child will be hungry, capricious, and the mother will not understand this, as she will be sure that he just ate.

Night feeding

The rules for breastfeeding a newborn must be observed at night. Between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m., at least 2 feedings should be made. It is at this time that lactation develops, and if you follow the rules, then milk will be constantly produced in the right amount.

Don't be afraid to put your baby to bed next to you. This way you will get more rest (no need to get up and go), and the child will be more comfortable.

Is it necessary to keep a column after feeding the baby?

If the baby does not fall asleep under the breast, then after feeding, take him in the "column" position, with his tummy towards you, this will help to burp the air that got into the stomach when sucking. which will reduce the chance of colic.

If the baby is asleep, then do not wake him up, put him to bed. When he wakes up, you take him in your arms, start moving him, and the air will move away.

Supplementary feeding and supplementation

Babies need complementary foods only from 6 months, before that, refuse additional feeding with formula, juices, and so on.

As for drinking, earlier pediatricians recommended giving boiled water to babies, considering milk only as food. Today, all doctors say that milk contains up to 90% water, and you can not be afraid of dehydration.

If the baby is supplemented or supplemented, the horse will need less milk, and lactation may stop by 3-6 months!

Bottles and pacifiers

Try not to use a bottle while breastfeeding, it is only possible if you are away on business and express milk. Studies have shown that milk flows easier from a bottle, and even after trying such feeding, the baby may refuse to breastfeed!

As for the use of pacifiers, after them the baby does not grasp the breast correctly, which causes discomfort to both him and his mother during feeding.

Hygiene

Another important rule for breastfeeding newborns is clean breasts, but don't overdo it with soap. Soap removes natural lubrication from the nipples, and its frequent absence leads to the formation of cracks. Wash your breasts once a day with soap and water, and simply rinse with clean water before each feed.

We reviewed medical advice and rules for breastfeeding newborns. Guided by this publication, you will be able to fully feed your baby without any problems!