Proper breastfeeding of a child: tips, feeding schedule

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

The ideal food for a newborn, fully meeting the needs of his body - mother's breast milk. After all, it contains carbohydrates and fats, amino acids and autoenzymes, thanks to which this product is digested quite quickly. There are in this natural milk and antibodies of a woman. These are wonderful immune factors that strengthen the body of the crumbs. And this is not a complete list of what the baby receives from the very first days of its birth. This is known to many new mothers. That is why women strive to establish the process of natural feeding of their crumbs and continue it as long as possible.

Early start

What determines the success of breastfeeding? From when will be the first application of the baby to the breast. As a rule, this happens in the delivery room.

According to the instructions of the WHO (World He alth Organization), the staff of the medical institution explains the rules of breastfeeding to women in labor and helps the woman overcome the difficulties.

Immediately after birth, the baby is placed on the mother's stomach. The medical staff helps to put the nipple in his mouth. But this is done only when everything is in order with the baby and the woman.

This moment is very important for a child. He calms down, having gone through the difficult process of childbirth, and for the first time gets acquainted with the mother's microflora. Such attachment of crumbs is also important for the female body. It receives a strong signal about the start of milk production in connection with the resolution of pregnancy.

The baby is applied in the first half hour for only 2-3 minutes. From this point on, we can assume that the feeding period has already begun.

The newborn receives the first nutrition in his life at the same time as skin contact. All this allows you to establish an emotional connection between the child and the mother. This moment, under certain circumstances, practically minimizes the likelihood of a woman deciding to leave a baby in an orphanage.

A he althy baby immediately looks for a nipple and tries to get food from it. The touch of his lips increases the mother's production of oxytocin, a substance that promotes uterine contractions. All this allows her to recover faster after giving birth.

Of course, at this time there is no milk in the breast of a woman yet. However, already during pregnancy, her body begins to produce colostrum. This substance is a thick nutrient liquid, which becomes the main food of the crumbs in the next 2-3 days.

Shaping the latch

How to organize proper breastfeeding? To do this, it is important to help the baby grab the nipple well. It is necessary to ensure thatthe child took almost the entire areola into his mouth. If this was not the case initially, or the grip was not the same already in the process of eating, it is necessary to insert the little finger into the corner of the newborn's mouth. Such actions will force the baby to let go of the mammary gland. After this, the newborn must be properly attached to the breast.

Eat the baby should be given as much as he wants. He won't take too much. At the same time, the feeding process will surely calm the little man. It will also benefit the mother. Stimulation of the nipples will accelerate the contraction of the uterus and quickly restore the body after childbirth.

First feedings

From the very beginning, you will need to choose the most comfortable position for the child and mother. How to hold the baby while breastfeeding immediately after childbirth? The woman can sit or lie on her side. Pillows are recommended for additional comfort.

How to hold the breast while feeding? This is a very important question. Proper breastfeeding is carried out with her delicate holding with one hand. In this case, the mother's thumb should be on top of the mammary gland, and all the rest should be located below. The nipple should be squeezed a little. The child, being near the bust, begins to open his mouth, thus looking for food. If he didn’t succeed in doing this, he will need to take the nipple and run it along the crumbs’ lower lip. The other hand of the mother at this time holds the baby and does not allow his head to spin.

In a woman's first month of breastfeedinglactation is established. That is why it is so important to organize the correct GV. Otherwise, serious complications may occur if the baby fails to latch on the nipple.

Difficulties of first attachments

Breastfeeding in the early stages sometimes becomes impossible due to the appearance of certain problems that mommy should definitely overcome.

1. At the first meeting with the mammary gland, the baby is active and begins to look for the nipple with his mouth. He grabs it, but then releases it. Most likely, the newborn is too active. He loses a nipple due to the fact that he turns his head. In this situation, the mother must help the baby. She needs to hold his head at the neck, fixing her mouth against her chest.
2. Due to the fullness of the mammary gland, the baby chokes while eating. Breastfeeding a newborn, if there is a lot of milk in it, becomes very difficult. Indeed, in this case, it is tight and hard. Of course, in this case, it is very difficult to grab the crumbs by the chest. It is difficult for a baby to cope with a strong jet. In order to avoid such problems, mom will need to change her position. She should lie on her back and put the baby on top. In this case, he will not choke. Full breasts are recommended to express a little before feeding. In this case, it will become somewhat softer.
3. Inverted or flat nipples make it difficult for a baby to feed properly. How to organize proper breastfeeding of a newborn in this case? The beginning of GV in such a situation becomes very difficult. However, it lastsvery briefly. A he althy baby can learn to get food from a non-standard nipple as well. After a while, it will definitely stretch out, which will greatly facilitate the process. But sometimes it happens that the baby still does not want to take flat nipples when breastfeeding. What to do in this case? Silicone breast pads for feeding should come to the aid of a woman. Getting milk from them is harder, but still many mothers use this method.

Rejection of the first feeding

There are many reasons why a newborn does not want to latch onto his mother's breast. The most common ones are:

1. Too early attachment. After the stress that the birth process brought to the baby's body, he should rest a bit. This will require a short pause, bringing rest. The baby will suckle the breast only half an hour after birth.
2. Baby can't figure out what to do with the breast. Young mothers at the same time often think that their child turns away from the nipple. In fact, he is most likely shaking his head, trying to find food. That is why it is so important to organize proper breastfeeding and teach the baby to take it.
3. Some newborns have a weak sucking reflex. They just don't have the energy to eat. This happens when the baby was born sick, underweight or premature. Sometimes an insufficient sucking reflex becomes the result of a protracted birth. How to organize breastfeeding in this case? It is better if weakened children are given a littletime to get stronger. In the early days, they will need to be fed from a bottle, from which the milk itself will pour into the mouth. Throughout this period, mom will need to express. But still, it is necessary to periodically try to carry out breastfeeding. Maybe a hungry baby will still take it. However, in this state of affairs, there is a high probability that the baby will get so used to the nipple that it will be impossible to wean from it.
4. Failure to breastfeed is likely after a long separation of mother and child. If for some reason a woman and her baby are separated in the hospital, then the baby begins to learn the nipple sucking technique, which is different from the breastfeeding technique. The process of accustoming to the mother's bust will require further application of considerable strength and patience.

Advice for inexperienced moms

How to organize proper breastfeeding from the first time? To do this:

1. It is not recommended to give a newborn two mammary glands. For one feeding, the mother should offer him only one breast, which the baby needs to empty. The second breast will fill up until the next feeding.
2. You need to make sure that the baby sucks properly. If he "smacks" a little, then this is wrong. Most likely, the baby grabbed only the edge of the nipple with his mouth, and not the entire areola. Improper breastfeeding is dangerous for a woman. Almost immediately, small cracks appear on her nipples. After that, the chest begins to hurt when feeding.
3. After the baby has eaten, he needs to give a pose"column". This is necessary for the release of air from the stomach that got there during sucking. You can lay the crumbs only after he burps. Otherwise, he will be tormented by pain in the tummy.
4. Some babies suckle milk for too long. Most likely, they use the breast as a pacifier. It's not worth letting them do it. After all, excess milk that has entered the stomach will begin to burst its walls. At the same time, the child will definitely be capricious. That is why you should not delay the process of breastfeeding. How long should it last? This will be decided by the child himself, who should be organized 2-3 breaks. Soon the baby will realize that he has already had enough, and let go of the breast.
5. The question of how to properly attach a baby to breastfeeding and organize the whole process is very exciting for women. And for young mothers, this is a hard science at all. For example, the main mistake of many of them is tearing the nipple out of the baby's mouth immediately after feeding. It's not worth it to do so. You need to wait until the baby does it himself, or put a clean finger in his mouth.
6. Often, having started breastfeeding a baby, young mothers think that they have very little milk. They think that their little one is hungry and start formula feeding him. However, this process only exacerbates the lack of milk. In order for the breast to fill as quickly as possible, the child must be applied to it as often as possible. If the baby begins to receive additional nutrition, then the need for mother's milk gradually disappears.

Feeding routine

How toOrganize mother's natural nutrition of the baby? Various breastfeeding regimens can be selected. What are they? One of them involves application to the breast on demand. The second involves feeding by the hour. Let's take a closer look at them.

Feeding by the clock involves breastfeeding on a schedule. It is thought out for the child by the mother together with the pediatrician. When feeding on demand, the crumbs are applied to the breast at such a time and as many times as he wants it himself, including at night. Such a regimen provides for the duration of such nutrition according to the needs of the baby.

What is the key difference between these two methods? It lies in the number of feedings. If meals are made by the hour, then the baby is applied to the chest every 3 hours during the day and with a break of 6 hours at night. In this case, the total number of feedings in the first months of the baby's life reaches seven.

In on-demand mode, there can be much more of them. From already set 7 to 24. The last digit indicates that the baby can ask for food every hour.

In the first weeks of life, the baby's ventricle is still very small, and the muscles, including those involved in suckling, are very weak. That is why the baby eats often and little by little. But as he grows up, everything changes. The stomach grows in volume, and the muscles become stronger. Associated with this is an increase in the periods between feedings, and an increase in the amount of breast milk received.

Does the baby have time to digest food if he eats veryoften? Yes. Breast milk is perfectly digested and remains in the stomach for a short time, after which it enters the intestines. At the same time, the baby can eat more or less in one feeding. This fact will greatly affect when he asks for breasts next time.

During the on-demand regimen, the baby eats at night more often than during scheduled feedings. At the same time, it has been proven that it is nighttime applications that best support sufficient lactation. This is explained by the greater production of prolactin during this period. This is the hormone on which milk production depends.

When feeding by the hour, the breast is offered to the baby according to a certain schedule. On the first day after the birth of the baby, apply 1-3 minutes to two mammary glands. Already for 1-2 days there is an increase in feeding time. It gradually builds up to 20 minutes.

Which of these two modes can be selected? In order to finally decide on this, it is necessary to consider some psychological aspects. So, feeding her baby on demand, the mother is simply forced to find a common language with him. She quickly learns to understand the child and what he wants in this or that case. This gives mom more confidence.

Feeding by the hour forces a woman to wait for the end of the prescribed 3 hours. Sometimes she has to reassure the baby, who, as the mother thinks, has already wanted to eat. To do this, a variety of measures are taken - from swinging to nipples. However, the cause of such anxiety may not be hunger at all. Determining what's wrong can sometimes be quite difficult, which is what leads many mothers to opt for on-demand breastfeeding.

Chest alternation

A newborn during breastfeeding is applied to a full mammary gland. After that, he starts to suck her. First, the "front", the most liquid milk, enters his stomach. It is easy to drink, and therefore the baby swallows loudly and quickly. Behind the "front" milk is the "back". It is more fatty, and it becomes difficult to drink it. At this point, active sucking stops, and some inexperienced mothers shift their child to another mammary gland. However, this should not be done. After all, the child will again receive low-calorie liquid milk and remain hungry.

How to alternate breasts when feeding? Everything is pretty simple. At each feeding, the child should be applied to only one breast. The only exceptions are periods of lactic crises, which are characterized by lower milk production. But in this case, the second breast can be given to the child only after he sucks all the milk from the first.

Feeding positions

Proper organization of breastfeeding allows you to make the process of feeding your baby as pleasant and hassle-free as possible. And one of the most important points that a woman should pay special attention to when establishing breastfeeding is the development of her various postures for feeding.

The ability to feed the baby in various positions helps the mother not to get tired during prolonged attachment of the baby, and also to carry outprevention of milk congestion that can form in the breast.

1. "In the cradle". This pose is the most versatile and best known. It is perfect for feeding both a newborn baby and a child who is already a year old. The baby must be placed in the mother's arms, as if in a cradle. His head is placed on the elbow bend of one hand, and the second mother holds the back. The baby is turned to the mother's tummy. His mouth is located opposite the nipple. Mom, depending on the desire, can sit or stand.
2. "Cross Lullaby". This pose is a variation of the previous one. Its main difference is the additional support for the baby's head with two palms. This pose is used when a woman needs to get the right grip on her breasts.
3. "From under the arm." This position is suitable for those women who, after a caesarean section or natural childbirth, cannot sit. This method of feeding involves finding the mother in a reclining position. A woman, feeding a baby, leans on her forearm and thigh. At the same time, the baby lies on the pillow in such a way that its body is perpendicular to the mother's. The breast from the baby is on top. Feeding while taking this position is an excellent prevention of stagnation in the lateral and lower segments of the mammary glands.
4. "Lying on the arm." This position allows mom to relax her back and relax. The woman and the baby lie on their sides so that they are facing each other. The baby's head is on the mother's hand.
5. "Lying on the upper chest." This posture is recommended forthe need to change the mammary gland without touching the child. In this case, the baby will need to be placed on its side facing the mother. To change the breast, a woman can slightly lift the baby's body with her hand and give him the upper breast.
6. "On Mom". A similar position is often used in the first months of a baby's life. It is placed on the mother, and the head is slightly turned to the side. Such an arrangement will allow the baby not to choke on streams of milk and stimulate his tummy to eliminate colic and gas.
7. "Overhang". The process of feeding in this position is sometimes very useful for mom and baby. At the same time, the female breast gets rid of milk in the central and lower lobes, and it will be much easier for a child, especially a weak one, to suckle. To take this position, the mother should get on all fours and, bending over the child, give him the breast.

Women's Issues

Sometimes a woman begins to complain that her chest hurts when feeding. What might cause such feelings?

Breast during feeding can suddenly get sick already at the first feeding of crumbs. Such unpleasant sensations arise from the movements of small gums affecting the delicate and thin skin around the nipple. It is worth noting that such pain does not last long. Just a few days. However, they do not mean at all that the mother has any he alth problems.

However, if time passes, and the breast still continues to hurt during feeding, and at the same time the skin of the nipple and around it has somewhat changed color and is slightly swollen, then you need to see a doctor to find outreasons for this pathology. And there could be problems due to:

1. Incorrect attachment. Sometimes inexperienced mothers put the baby to the breast in the wrong way. As a result of the capture of the nipple, which is called "scissors", the mammary gland is pinched and hurts. The jet from it flows with great difficulty. As a result, milk stagnates. Often this causes lactostasis.
2. Flashes of milk. This phenomenon is often accompanied by increasing chest pain. Such sensations are natural and do not indicate a deterioration in the condition of a woman.
3. Cracks and injuries on the nipples. With advanced inflammation in this area, cracks often occur. It is they who cause sharp pain while feeding the baby. In this case, it is necessary to immediately begin the treatment of sores on the nipples, which, in addition to pain, are dangerous because they are conductors of various infections.
4. Vasospasm. Sometimes after breastfeeding there is a sharp, throbbing and burning pain, which is accompanied by blanching of the tissues. The nipple is firm. He painfully reacts to the slightest touch. All of these symptoms indicate breast vasospasm, which manifests itself at the beginning of the GV period, as well as in the first weeks after the onset of lactation. You can fix this problem by correcting the application of crumbs during feeding. In addition, nursing mothers should not supercool and harden.
5. Thrush. The reason why there is pain in the chest during feeding may be due to the presence of Candida fungi. A similar pathology is recognized by a light plaque that appears in the areanipple and crumbs in the mouth. In addition, while feeding and pumping, the mother experiences pain, and the child cries, is naughty and refuses to eat. To eliminate this phenomenon, you should consult a doctor.
6. Lactostasis. Sometimes feeding a child turns into real flour. And the reason for this is lactostasis. This is a disease in which there is a blockage of the milk ducts. The mammary gland becomes dense, hard and hot, despite the normal body temperature. How to overcome this disease? The baby will help the mother in this. It should be applied to the breast as often as possible, so that the baby, by sucking, helps to eliminate the stagnation of milk. Warm compresses are recommended for pain relief.

Personal hygiene

Proper organization of breastfeeding will require keeping it clean and dry at all times. More recently, the medical staff of maternity hospitals recommended that every woman wash her mammary glands before applying the baby. Today, this rule is considered obsolete. Doctors who specialize in breastfeeding say that it is enough for a mother to take a shower 1 or 2 times a day. After all, if the breast is washed frequently, and even with the use of soap, then the protective layer of fat will be removed from the nipple and areola, which contains special substances that protect the skin from microbes. In addition, such a procedure can cause cracks in this area.

After taking a shower, the chest should be blotted with a soft cloth. In no case should you rub the mammary glands with a towel, since such actionswill irritate the nipples when feeding.

After the baby has eaten, it is advisable to lubricate the areola with drops of “hind” milk. The fact is that they have healing and protective properties, while protecting the skin from dryness. If necessary, mom can apply a special cream for cracks. It is applied in a thin layer immediately after feeding.

Mother's nutrition

In order for the baby to have enough milk, a woman must review her daily diet. Proper nutrition during breastfeeding includes foods with proteins and fats, carbohydrates and vitamins that are so important to the body.

The quality of mother's milk is also the basis for good baby he alth. It is especially important to remember this in the first time after childbirth. After all, this is a period when it becomes difficult for a woman to organize proper nutrition for herself due to the amount of work that she has to do and to which she has yet to adapt. It makes itself felt during this period and the physiological state after childbirth. But, despite all these factors, mommy needs to establish a balanced diet for herself. After all, in this way she will help her baby avoid such troubles as diarrhea and constipation, food allergies and intestinal colic, enriching the nutrition of the child with useful substances necessary for the development of his body.

In the first time after childbirth, a large number of baked or boiled vegetables and fruits should be on the menu of a nursing mother. In cases where the child has constipation, you will need to avoidthe use of bakery products, especially fresh bread. In the diet of a nursing mother, first courses must be present in the form of vegetable soups, as well as soups cooked in the second broth. It is extremely important for a woman during this period and the drinking regimen. In addition to fighting constipation, fluid affects the amount of breast milk.

In order to recover faster after childbirth and raise the tone of the body, a young mother should eat foods that contain a large amount of B vitamins, as well as animal proteins.

Paying attention to nutrition is especially important in the first three to four months of a baby's life. During this period, a woman is not allowed to use "food garbage" filled with preservatives. This is sausage from meat of unknown origin, and mayonnaise, and purchased ketchup, and many other products. It is impossible for a mother who is breastfeeding to eat cabbage, legumes and everything that contains a lot of fiber. This contributes to the occurrence of fermentation processes in the intestines and causes colic in the baby.

All food consumed by a nursing mother must be pre-cooked. This will prevent the development of intestinal infections. The products on her table must be checked, and not bought from unknown grandmothers in the transition. You should also pay attention to the expiration dates of products, especially dairy products.