 | ||
|
| |    Getting Started Breastfeeding by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed and revised by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. When you first begin nursing your newborn, remember that this is a learning experience for both of you. As "natural" as breastfeeding may be, many newborns show more interest in sleeping than sucking in the first few days of life. Do not let this discourage you. The first few days of breastfeeding are just the beginning of a rewarding experience for you and your baby. Getting started is easier for some mothers and infants than for others, but the rewards will be well worth the effort. Breastfeeding in the hospital or birthing center If labor and delivery go well for you and your baby, there is no better time to start breastfeeding than in the first hour or two after delivery. Once you and your infant are checked out and doing well, feel free to ask for assistance or even some (albeit limited) privacy while you attempt to breastfeed. Hospitals and hospital personnel can differ in their approach to breastfeeding, so be sure to express your wishes and ask for help from your doctor or nurse practitioner, a nurse, or a lactation specialist if you want it. During your stay in the hospital, remember that this is your baby, and if she is healthy and doing well, there is no reason why you shouldn't be the one determining her schedule. Many hospital nurseries function (often out of necessity) on a very rigid schedule, which includes telling you when your baby should be fed. The ideal, assuming you feel up to it, is that you disregard artificial feeding schedules and keep your infant with you as much as possible. Offer her your breast to nurse as frequently as she likes. Take advantage of nurses and other professionals around you who have nursing experience to make sure your infant is latching on correctly, especially if you are experiencing pain, cracking or blistering around your nipples. Latching on When you start breastfeeding, you should focus your attention on getting your baby to latch on correctly. Many babies become sleepy in the day or two after delivery and may not nurse particularly vigorously. You can help your baby open her mouth wide enough to get the areola in her mouth (not just the nipple) by expressing a bit of colostrum from your nipple and touching it to the side of her mouth. Have her positioned in such a way that you are both comfortable. When latched on correctly, her tongue should be underneath the part of your breast that is pulled into her mouth. You should feel very accomplished when you master this process, even if at first your baby only sucks a few times and falls asleep. Many women have some degree of discomfort around their nipples each time they begin breastfeeding during the first few weeks. If soreness persists throughout a feeding, gets worse, or if you find your nipples becoming cracked, sore, or blistered, consider whether or not your baby is latching on correctly. Your baby should be sucking on the whole areola (or at least most of it), not just on the nipple. If she is just sucking on the nipple, she will not express milk effectively and will likely become frustrated, suck harder, and quickly make you sore. If your baby latches on incorrectly, do not hesitate to take her off the breast and try again. To do this, insert your finger in the corner of her mouth to "break the seal" before pulling your breast away. Frequency You have undoubtedly heard numerous opinions about how much and how often you should nurse your baby. In the first hours and days after delivery, your baby will get nourishment from you in the form of colostrum. In the natural course of breastfeeding, your body will begin to produce full volume, more mature milk by 3-5 days after delivery. By frequently nursing your baby, your body will get the signal to speed up the process of making more milk. This may mean as often as every 1 to 1-1/2 hours initially. As your milk production increases, and your baby becomes more efficient at getting that milk, the time between feedings will naturally increase. Positioning There are several effective positions in which you can hold your baby to nurse. Your comfort is very important, and can be affected by factors such as whether or not you've had a c-section. Don't hesitate to try different holding positions to find which works best for you. Whatever position you choose, remember not to hold the back of your baby's head pressed against your breast and make sure your baby's nostrils aren't covered by your breast as she nurses.
| |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
