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Copyright (c) 2007 eBabyCentre.com Information available in this website eBabyCentre.com is provided for guidance only. Any health related concerns or queries should be directed to the appropriate healthcare professionals. This page features breastfeeding and medela breastpump
BREASTFEEDING
Breastfeeding does not come naturally when you first put your baby to your breast. Breastfeeding is a learned art, and will take time and patience to establish successfully.
There are two new people at this, yourself and your baby. Many breastfeeding mothers experience difficulties in the first month, however such difficulties can be overcome by proper guidance. If you are having difficulties, don’t give up hope, contact your lactation consultant who will be able to provide you with the best assistance. Once successful breastfeeding becomes established you and your baby will be old hands at it.
The best time to try breastfeeding your newborn is after your infant has been born and checked by the midwife providing you and your baby are both up to it, if you are unable to attempt breastfeeding then, try at the next best convenient time. Your baby won’t be hungry for the first few days of their life and your milk possibly won’t ‘come in’ until around day 4 postpartum, but the earlier you start, the more practice and more bonding you can get in before baby becomes hungry and gets frustrated at learning to feed. Up until your milk comes in, your baby will be satisfied with the small amount of colostrum your body is producing.
Feeding your baby on demand is the general recommendation and is encouraged by midwives and lactation consultants.
Suggestions for correct attachment include:
Positioning -
• Make yourself comfortable and have a glass of water in reach
• Slide your arm along your baby’s back and support its neck with your hand
• Position your baby’s chest against yours
• Keep your baby’s head, neck and shoulders in a straight line
Latching on –
• Wait for baby’s mouth to open and then bring baby to the breast
• Make sure baby’s mouth closes around the areola
• Check that your baby’s chin is touching your breast, and baby’s nose is clear to breathe
Correct attachment is achieved when:
• Breastfeeding is not painful
• Baby is contented and rhythmically sucking and swallowing
• Baby has formed a good seal and there are no clicking noises
• Nipples are not cracked after feeding
• Baby is contented between feeds
• Baby produces adequate wet nappies (at least 5-6 heavy nappies per day)
• Baby is gaining weight
Correct attachment is imperative in establishing successful breastfeeding. Once your baby has drained the first breast, you can start your baby on the other breast if required. Many mothers find they can feed exclusively on one side only, whilst others may need to get baby started on the other breast, both are quite normal. You can break your baby’s suction on the breast by placing your little finger in the side of their mouth. Remember to start the next breastfeeding session on the alternate side, or the side that has not been drained completely. At the completion of the feed, help your baby burp by gently rubbing baby’s back in a slow circular movement.
Is baby getting enough breastmilk?
Breastfeeding mothers may find themselves worry if their baby is getting sufficient breastmilk during each feed, unfortunately there is not a gauge as to tell how many mls or ounces your little one is consuming, but you can gauge if they are getting a sufficient amount of breastmilk by the output of wet nappies they are producing. Generally, your baby is said to be consuming a sufficient amount of breastmilk if they are producing at least 5-6 wet nappies per day and gaining weight fine, if you are in any doubt as to your baby’s weight gain, you should check with your healthcare professional.
Increasing breastmilk supply
If you have insufficient breastmilk for you baby and would like to increase your supply, you can try to increase breastmilk supply by:
• Feeding your baby more frequently, and/or
• Pumping/expressing in between feeds, and/or
• Drinking mothers tea which helps to promote healthy lactation and traditionally used to increase breast milk production.
Common problems initiating breastfeeding include:
• Tender or cracked nipples, making feeding painful - to assist the healing of a cracked nipple you can try lanolin or a similar product
• Engorgement
• Blocked ducts or mastitis - you can help relieve the pain of blocked ducts by applying a hot pack, gently massaging the lump toward the nipple and then feeding your baby or expressing the milk to help clear the block, this will prevent any infections from occurring.
Breastfeeding does not come naturally when you first put your baby to your breast. Breastfeeding is a learned art, and will take time and patience to establish successfully.
There are two new people at this, yourself and your baby. Many breastfeeding mothers experience difficulties in the first month, however such difficulties can be overcome by proper guidance. If you are having difficulties, don’t give up hope, contact your lactation consultant who will be able to provide you with the best assistance. Once successful breastfeeding becomes established you and your baby will be old hands at it.
The best time to try breastfeeding your newborn is after your infant has been born and checked by the midwife providing you and your baby are both up to it, if you are unable to attempt breastfeeding then, try at the next best convenient time. Your baby won’t be hungry for the first few days of their life and your milk possibly won’t ‘come in’ until around day 4 postpartum, but the earlier you start, the more practice and more bonding you can get in before baby becomes hungry and gets frustrated at learning to feed. Up until your milk comes in, your baby will be satisfied with the small amount of colostrum your body is producing.
Feeding your baby on demand is the general recommendation and is encouraged by midwives and lactation consultants.
Suggestions for correct attachment include:
Positioning -
• Make yourself comfortable and have a glass of water in reach
• Slide your arm along your baby’s back and support its neck with your hand
• Position your baby’s chest against yours
• Keep your baby’s head, neck and shoulders in a straight line
Latching on –
• Wait for baby’s mouth to open and then bring baby to the breast
• Make sure baby’s mouth closes around the areola
• Check that your baby’s chin is touching your breast, and baby’s nose is clear to breathe
Correct attachment is achieved when:
• Breastfeeding is not painful
• Baby is contented and rhythmically sucking and swallowing
• Baby has formed a good seal and there are no clicking noises
• Nipples are not cracked after feeding
• Baby is contented between feeds
• Baby produces adequate wet nappies (at least 5-6 heavy nappies per day)
• Baby is gaining weight
Correct attachment is imperative in establishing successful breastfeeding. Once your baby has drained the first breast, you can start your baby on the other breast if required. Many mothers find they can feed exclusively on one side only, whilst others may need to get baby started on the other breast, both are quite normal. You can break your baby’s suction on the breast by placing your little finger in the side of their mouth. Remember to start the next breastfeeding session on the alternate side, or the side that has not been drained completely. At the completion of the feed, help your baby burp by gently rubbing baby’s back in a slow circular movement.
Is baby getting enough breastmilk?
Breastfeeding mothers may find themselves worry if their baby is getting sufficient breastmilk during each feed, unfortunately there is not a gauge as to tell how many mls or ounces your little one is consuming, but you can gauge if they are getting a sufficient amount of breastmilk by the output of wet nappies they are producing. Generally, your baby is said to be consuming a sufficient amount of breastmilk if they are producing at least 5-6 wet nappies per day and gaining weight fine, if you are in any doubt as to your baby’s weight gain, you should check with your healthcare professional.
Increasing breastmilk supply
If you have insufficient breastmilk for you baby and would like to increase your supply, you can try to increase breastmilk supply by:
• Feeding your baby more frequently, and/or
• Pumping/expressing in between feeds, and/or
• Drinking mothers tea which helps to promote healthy lactation and traditionally used to increase breast milk production.
Common problems initiating breastfeeding include:
• Tender or cracked nipples, making feeding painful - to assist the healing of a cracked nipple you can try lanolin or a similar product
• Engorgement
• Blocked ducts or mastitis - you can help relieve the pain of blocked ducts by applying a hot pack, gently massaging the lump toward the nipple and then feeding your baby or expressing the milk to help clear the block, this will prevent any infections from occurring.
• Attachment
• Breastfeeding problems - such as cracked nipples, blocked ducts
• Is your baby getting enough?
• Increasing breastmilk supply
• Feeding on one side only & how to break babys suction
• Growth spurts
• Breastfeeding problems - such as cracked nipples, blocked ducts
• Is your baby getting enough?
• Increasing breastmilk supply
• Feeding on one side only & how to break babys suction
• Growth spurts
Other baby care and development topics:
• Baby Development 0 – 3 months
• Baby Development 3 – 6 months
• Baby Development 6 – 9 months
• Baby Development 9 – 12 months
• Baby Developmental Milestones
• Cradle Cap, Baby Acne & Baby Hair Loss
• Reflux
• Baby Crying
• Baby Colds
• Breastfeeding
• Formula Feeding
• Baby Growth Spurts
• Introducing Solids to Baby
• Introducing Cows Milk to Toddler
• Baby Sleeping
• Baby Teething
• Travelling with a Baby by Plane
• Baby Development 0 – 3 months
• Baby Development 3 – 6 months
• Baby Development 6 – 9 months
• Baby Development 9 – 12 months
• Baby Developmental Milestones
• Cradle Cap, Baby Acne & Baby Hair Loss
• Reflux
• Baby Crying
• Baby Colds
• Breastfeeding
• Formula Feeding
• Baby Growth Spurts
• Introducing Solids to Baby
• Introducing Cows Milk to Toddler
• Baby Sleeping
• Baby Teething
• Travelling with a Baby by Plane
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