Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is supposed to be natural / instinctive. 

Why do we have to learn about it now?

How do breasts make milk? How much milk do they make?

Anatomy and Physiology. 

Supply and Demand.

How do I breastfeed my baby? Positions, Latch. Switching sides, burping. Video.

When do I feed my baby? 

How often? 

How do I know it’s time?

Hunger Cues. Signs that Baby is Done.

How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?

6-10 wet nappies a day, gaining weight.
Remember rules of supply and demand!

When should I first breastfeed my baby? 

When do I wean my baby from breastfeeding?

What are the early days of breastfeeding like? 

What problems might come up?

When do I introduce a bottle? 

How do I pump? 

How long can I store milk?

Day 1-5: Baby is getting colostrum.
It’s low in volume, but has everything a newborn needs.

There is no need to supplement with water or formula.
Baby may be fussy or sleepy on day 3 or 4.
This is normal: just nurse often to help your mature milk come in.

Day 3-5: Mature milk begins to come in. After this, baby should have 5 or more wet nappies in every 24 hour period.

Breastfeed at least every three hours during the daytime, at least every 4 hours overnight.

Some babies may want to eat much more often than this.
That’s fine: feed on demand.

Breastfeed for at least 5 minutes on each breast. May be 15 or 20 minutes per breast before baby falls asleep or loses interest in eating.

Hunger cues: rooting tongue thrusting sucking wiggling. 

Crying is a late hunger cue!

Nipple care: Remember to break suction before taking baby off of breast. 

After nursing hand express a little breastmilk and rub that into your nipples to moisturize. 

Keep nipples dry between nursing, try to expose to fresh air and/or sunlight for at least 15 minutes a day.

Sore nipples: many women have sore nipples at some point in the first month. 

Check with the Infant Feeding Team
to make sure your position and latch are good, follow nipple care recommendations above, and KEEP Nursing! (Nurse more frequently, for shorter periods.)

This Channel 4 programme may be of interest.
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/breastfeeding-uncovered-dispatches/on-demand/68508-002

Breastfeeding Resources

Dr Jack Newman – Link
Videos:  Link

Professor Amy Brown
Link


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