Breastfeeding
Starting Out Right
To breastfeed or not...this is a decision faced by every expectant mother. This decision can have lifelong implications on the health of your child as there are countless health benefits to breastfeeding your baby. So what can you do to get breastfeeding started out right? Here are some practical tips to help you establish a successful breastfeeding relationship.
Skin-to-skin:
Request that the baby be placed skin-to-skin immediately after birth and remain there until the first feeding is accomplished. This requires that the naked baby be placed upon the mother’s abdomen, skin-to-skin. The initial care of the newborn can easily be done without interrupting this process. Babies who are placed skin-to-skin have an easier time staying warm and tend to cry less. The interaction between mother and baby is enhanced and the mother is able to observe early behavior cues that the baby is ready to feed for the first time.
Early breastfeeding:
Babies tend to be very alert at the time of birth and this quiet alert period lasts for about the first hours after birth. Typically, babies begin to show signs that they are ready to feed around 20-30 minutes after birth. These signs include licking their lips, making suckling movements with their mouth, or sucking on their hand or thumb. When these signs are observed, this is a great time to offer the baby your breast. Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth boosts the baby’s immune system, helps to establish a great milk supply for the mother, and helps to stabilize that baby’s blood sugar. Additionally, studies suggest that babies who breastfeed within the first hour of birth breastfeed for longer durations than those who do not.
Establishing a milk supply:
The first milk that the baby receives from your breasts is called colostrum. Colostrum is more dense than mature breast milk and looks thick and yellow, but it is power packed with vital immunities and antibodies that help to boost your baby’s immune system. Early and frequent breastfeeding helps to establish a great milk supply. Your baby should feed about 8-10 times per 24 hours. This equates to about every 2-3 hour during the day and every 3-4 hours during the night. This is a general guideline, but don’t be alarmed if your baby wants to feed more frequently than this in the first several days. Take heart that these frequent feedings are laying the foundation for a great milk supply and will also help you through engorgement. Engorgement occurs around day 2-5 when the colostrum begins to change to mature breast milk. During this period there is extra swelling in the breast and frequent feedings help to keep the breast softer and easier for the baby to latch on to. There are certain conditions, such as jaundice or low blood sugar, that cause the baby to be sleepier than normal. It may be necessary to wake up your baby for feedings if he or she is extra sleepy. Watch for the baby to move to a lighter sleep state, in which he or she may squirm around or be more restless. You will be more successful with waking your baby if you watch for this lighter sleep state. If you cannot get your baby to latch on, or if he or she is not breastfeeding well, it may be necessary to express your milk. The amount of colostrum that the baby takes in on average is about a teaspoon. Hand expression is an effective way to express the colostrum for the baby. You can learn more about hand expression by checking out this video clip from Stanford School of Medicine at http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html.
Practice, Patience, and Perseverance:
Breastfeeding is a learned art and it takes time for mother and baby to get to know each other. Surround yourself with supportive people. Attend a local La Leche League meeting. If you are having trouble with breastfeeding, consult with a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). With practice, patience, and perseverance, you can lay the foundation for a rewarding and fulfilling breastfeeding relationship.
