Breastfeeding: feeding regimen, rules

Common mistakes when breastfeeding

• The baby sucks or “chews” only the nipple.
• The tongue works on the tip of the nipple.
• The lips and gums press on the nipple instead of the areola.
• The lips are sucked inwards.

A baby who sucks only on the nipple does not get enough milk. As a result, he remains hungry and restless, and may even refuse the breast. Improper sucking can lead to engorgement of the mammary glands, cracks and sore nipples.

The mother should know that if the child sucks correctly, his lower lip is turned outward, and muscle movements are clearly visible in the area of ​​their attachment to the jaw bones near the ears, and not in the cheek area. In this case, the load on the surface of the nipple is minimal, since the child grasps with his mouth not only the nipple, but also the areola and the area of ​​the breast located below where the lacteal sinus enters. The baby should extend the breast to the shape of the nipple, which is significantly longer than the nipple itself. The nipple is only a third of the "nipple". Sometimes, at the moment when the baby has just stopped breastfeeding, you can see how the chest stretches out.

In some cases, usually on the 3-4th day, when milk begins to be produced intensively, engorgement of the mammary glands may be observed, the breasts become hard, sometimes painful. A child cannot always take such a breast. In this case, it is recommended to express some of the milk before latching your baby so that the breast becomes softer and he can latch onto it correctly.

If the baby is full, he stops sucking and lets go of the breast. He is either full or ready to suckle on the other breast. It happens that the baby falls asleep as soon as he lets go of the breast.

There is no need to interrupt feeding after a certain period of time or wean the baby. The fact is that some children are lazy suckers, while others are the opposite. Give your child the opportunity to decide when to stop feeding.

Night mode

The feeding regimen of a newborn at night is the same as during the day and is necessary for development at least in the first three months of life. Do I need to wake up? Yes. In the fourth month this need disappears.

The transition to a full night's sleep should be made smoothly, do not try to overfeed before bedtime in order to sleep longer, this can lead to colic and a restless night.

Causes of improper attachment to the breast

• Using bottle feeding: Before breastfeeding
• With subsequent dietary supplements

Maternal nutrition

It is important for a child to be free from allergens and substances unfamiliar to him, so you should not eat anything that you did not eat during pregnancy. If you are sick, before taking the medicine, make sure that the drug is approved during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to change or cancel it.

A young mother should drink at least 2 liters of water, excluding tea and juices, get a sufficient amount of minerals (from vitamins, diet), and monitor her calorie intake (at least the daily norm + 500 calories).

How often should you put your baby to the breast?

Attachment of the baby to the breast should be carried out from the first day at any sign of hunger or discomfort on the part of the baby. The frequency of breastfeeding is determined by the baby's needs. Signs of hunger can be active sucking movements of the lips or rotational movements of the head with various sound signs even before the cry. Breastfeeding organized in this way is called free feeding or feeding on demand.

The greatest difficulty in such a feeding system is the mother’s correct interpretation of the baby’s cry. Even in the first weeks of life, the reasons for crying can be pain, an uncomfortable position, irritation from a wet diaper, or a demand for communication. In any case, the cry represents a call for maternal attention, and the mother will quickly learn to understand its meaning. The danger of a mistake - unnecessary breastfeeding - does not bring anything bad for the child; he will receive another confirmation of maternal love and participation. For a woman, such a regime is certainly more tiring, but she must understand that it is temporary, and the gain is extremely significant. Attaching a baby to the breast on demand ensures reliable formation of lactation and adequate nutritional support for a long time.

In the first days of life, newborns feed very irregularly. On the first and second days, they may require the breast only a few times, and in subsequent days they may suck very often - the frequency of attachments can be 12-20 times or more per day. In this case, intervals between feedings are possible from 15 minutes to 3-4 hours. As the production of colostrum and milk increases, as well as the child's better adaptation to feeding, the frequency of attachments may decrease significantly in some children, less in others. The transition from an indefinite feeding regimen to a relatively regular one takes from 10-15 days to 1 month.

Forcing a baby to breastfeed at a specific time schedule interferes with normal breastfeeding. Frequent, unrestricted breastfeeding immediately after childbirth stimulates the production of prolactin and therefore optimally stimulates lactation and promotes milk supply. It also helps prevent breast engorgement and related problems.

Newborn feeding positions

The options for feeding positions that exist today are very diverse. Thanks to this, every nursing mother will be able to choose the most suitable option for herself. It is important that mother and child feel comfortable during breastfeeding. In all cases, the baby should be positioned so that his face is turned towards his mother, and his head, shoulders and hips are in line. The most popular feeding positions are:

• "lying on your side";
• "cradle";
• cross "cradle";
• "capture".

How to maintain the emotional and physical health of a nursing mother

Helpful Tips:

• upon returning home after the maternity hospital, a woman should also get at least a little sleep, devote time to other family members and herself, otherwise psychological problems and a crisis in the relationship with her husband cannot be avoided;
• constant fatigue accumulates, mommy gets irritated for any reason and gets nervous. The result is a decrease in milk production, an eternally hungry, crying baby, again nerves and new worries. The circle closes. That is why it is important to take care not only of the baby, but also to maintain the health and psychological balance of a woman who has undergone a natural birth or a cesarean section;
• The realization that with the birth of a baby, a successful businesswoman has turned into a “milk-producing machine” depresses many young mothers. The closest people should help here. Praise and pride for the person who gave the gift of a son (daughter)/grandson (granddaughter) must be expressed in warm words. A woman feels much more confident if she feels supported;
• An important point is assistance in caring for the baby. It’s good if the husband, grandmothers and young mother share the chores around the house. A woman needs to rest, often feed her newborn, and restore her strength. In the first two to three weeks, the lack of real help negatively affects the physical and psychological state of the nursing mother;
• unfortunately, it often happens that the husband stays late at work (not to mention how difficult it is to “get” vacation after the birth of a baby), and grandmothers, due to various circumstances, cannot help with household chores. It is important to preserve breast milk and not fall off your feet from fatigue;
• what to do? You will have to ask for help from good friends, relatives, and neighbors. Surely, someone will agree to help you: go grocery shopping, buy diapers, or wipe the dust at home. Involve people you trust, don't refuse help. Even half an hour of rest will be useful for a young mother;
• prepare simple dishes, buy a multicooker that minimizes labor costs for cooking. The device does not require constant monitoring, which is important when tired, frequent feedings, or when the mother thinks only about the baby and sleep.

More useful tips about breastfeeding in the following video:

Nutrition table by hour

It’s easier for young mothers to navigate if they have a clear idea of ​​the baby’s diet. During the first month, the newborn will sleep most of the time (up to 18 hours a day), and be awake for the rest of the day.

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Remember: when the baby is not sleeping, half the time he sucks on his mother’s breast or receives infant formula instead of breast milk. Pay attention to the newborn feeding chart. It schedules feeding hours for babies of normal weight.

Is the child full?

It is not always easy for an inexperienced mother to understand whether the baby can eat enough during one feeding, or whether he should be given a second breast, maybe offered a formula.

How to tell if your baby is full:

• the breasts become soft and empty after feeding;
• the baby is active, not capricious, has clear eyes and smooth skin;
• weight gain occurs according to all prescribed standards;
• urination and defecation are frequent (in babies on pure breastfeeding, often after each feeding), feces are yellow-mustard in color.

How long does it take for one feeding?

Babies who sleep peacefully, without anxiety or worry, are well-fed. How long to feed a newborn with breast milk is determined by the child. The older the child gets, with the introduction of complementary foods, the amount of milk required and lactation decreases.

Breastfeeding is necessary for at least six months, and further feeding depends on the condition of the child and mother. The child can “hang” on the chest for 20-30 minutes. One may quickly eat and fall asleep, the other will languidly draw out food. As children age, their milk consumption speeds up. Recommendations are established for artificial feeding, which means you need to approach breastfeeding individually.

We recommend reading: How to wean your baby off breastfeeding after one year

The very first application

How to hold a newborn correctly

The very first time the baby is put to the breast within an hour after birth - this is how lactation is stimulated and the uterus contracts at a more accelerated rhythm. For three to five days, the baby drinks colostrum, which it needs to form the correct microflora. The first application is the key to successful further breastfeeding and good development of the baby.

Application technique

Feeding your baby on demand

On the third day after birth, milk arrives. The baby needs to be fed frequently, despite unsteady lactation. Feeding a newborn is a significant process in the life of mother and baby. At this time, the body is completely rebuilt. During the first months, feeding should be at the baby's request, when he cries. This is a feeling of satiety, physical contact with the mother, calming, but also an increase in milk production.

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Mother's breast is peace, nutrition, mother's protection. The baby receives the weight of these feelings at the first call. It is not necessary to express your breasts after subsequent feedings. The exception is the feeling of fullness, swelling or pain in the mammary glands. However, frequent applications prevent the milk from stagnating and prevent lactostasis.

Many mothers like and find co-sleeping convenient. You need to feed one breast at a time from start to finish. Initially, the foremilk comes out, which represents water, while the distant milk is fatty, high-calorie, and nutritious. It has been proven that a baby who is fed on demand does not develop habits such as finger sucking or fist sucking. The sucking reflex is completely satisfied, and a pacifier or pacifier is not required.

Frequent feeding leads to a speedy recovery of the baby. During high temperatures, the body is saturated with microelements, nutrients, and water. The baby calms down and tolerates discomfort more easily during tummy pain or teething.

Psychologists have conducted studies proving that children fed on demand grow up calm and self-confident.

Rules for a comfortable position for feeding

Regardless of the chosen position, each feeding procedure must comply with the following rules:

1. Before starting breastfeeding, you should prepare all the necessary items that may be useful to create convenience: a magazine or book, telephone, TV remote control, drinks. It is also recommended to go to the toilet, since the “session” can last for an hour or more;
2. Provide the child with maximum comfort. It doesn’t matter what position was chosen for feeding - in all cases, the baby must be held firmly, straight, the baby’s head, neck and back must feel reliable support;
3. It is important that the woman does not feel stressed. For greater comfort and better relaxation, you can use special pillows for nursing mothers. Regular pillows of different sizes will also work. These products provide excellent support for the back and arms;
4. It is necessary to ensure that the baby latches onto the breast correctly. Otherwise, there is a chance that the baby will swallow air, which will lead to regurgitation of milk.

Baby's head sweats during feeding

To find the most comfortable position for breastfeeding, mother and baby will have to try different attachment options.

On a note. The process of breastfeeding is not only a way to keep the baby well-fed, but also one of the options for communication between mother and newborn, as a result of which a strong emotional connection is established between them. This is why it is so important that nothing interferes with the normal feeding process, including an uncomfortable position that could cause the mother’s arms or back to become numb.

As the baby grows and develops, the position chosen at first may gradually be replaced by a new method of attachment. For example, when the baby was still very small, the mother fed him lying on his back or on his side; after the baby acquired mobility, another feeding option (sitting or standing) became more convenient. In addition, periodic changes in position allow the mammary glands to develop evenly. In some cases, the choice of a different position is dictated by medical indications, for example, with lactostasis.

In the first weeks after the birth of the baby, it is recommended to feed while lying down, especially if the woman had a caesarean section or stitches in the perineum. In addition, the lying position simplifies the process of night feeding - being in this position, the mother will get better sleep.

How to determine that your baby wants the breast

Doctors advise women to preserve milk in any way, explaining the decisions for the future health of the baby. Natural feeding ensures the prevention of allergies, diabetes, and obesity.

Having eaten, the babies let go of the breast and fall asleep with their mother. Indicators are not the main factors in a baby’s satiety. A young mother can judge that the child is full by the monthly weight gain and the general condition of the baby.

During the development of lactation, milk goes through several stages: colostrum, transitional, and mature milk. The qualitative composition and quantity of milk meet the needs of the newborn.

Satiety criteria:

• Weight gain.
• The number of wet films is 6-18 days.
• Regular bowel movements in 6-10 attempts.
• An audible gulping sound from the baby while swallowing milk.

A hungry baby is capricious, demands the breast, and there is smacking of the lips, reminiscent of a sucking reflex. At the pediatrician's appointment, the main indicators are measured - the baby's height and weight. In case of deviations from the norm, the parent is notified by the medical staff. The task of doctors is to determine the cause of underweight and stunted growth. The woman will adapt to changes in the child's condition, gaining experience.