These tips will help make breastfeeding a success!
When will my milk come in?
After your baby's birth, your milk takes from one to seven days to come in. Before that, the baby is content to feed on colostrum, the thick, yellowish liquid produced by your breasts during the last months of pregnancy and in the first days after delivery. In the first two hours after birth, a normal baby will be alert and eager to nurse, so this is a good time to start breastfeeding.
Colostrum is rich in proteins (immunoglobulins) and sugars, and is very satisfying for the baby, even though it comes in very small quantities. If your milk doesn't come in right away, don't get discouraged, if you have colostrum, you will eventually have milk. It's as simple as that.
Once your milk comes in, you may experience engorgement, which is a fullness and hardening of the breasts. Engorgement can be painful, but the discomfort usually diminishes in three to five days as your baby learns to nurse. To alleviate the pain, breastfeed your baby often, use hot compresses on your breasts and pump any extra milk you may have after feeding sessions.
How do I breastfeed my baby?
Gently tickle your baby's lower lip with your nipple or tickle his cheek with your finger. When you do this, his natural reflex is to open his mouth. Wait until he opens wide, almost like a yawn. Insert your nipple to allow your baby to "latch on," or attach to the breast. He should take the nipple and a large portion of the areola (the dark area around the nipple) in his mouth. Don't lean toward the baby, bring him to your breast.
Proper latch on is very important for effective breastfeeding, and improper latch on is one of the main reasons for sore nipples. If your baby is making smacking sounds, or if you hear him suck, but you don't hear him swallow, then he is not properly latched on. You should gently break the suction with your little finger, inserting it between your breast and the corner of your baby's mouth, then pull out your breast and proceed to get him to latch on again. If you simply pull the baby off your breast, it can make your nipple sore. Within a minute or two after the baby starts to suck, you will experience a tingling sensation that signals "let down," or the release of your milk.
The baby should nurse on both breasts during each feeding session, always starting with the breast he finished with the time before. For example, your baby may nurse on the right breast for a while, burp, and then nurse on the left breast, usually for a shorter time. In that case, at the next session he should start with the left breast. If your baby nurses on both breasts regularly, your production will match his needs and you will avoid having one breast full while the other is empty. How long a baby nurses on each side varies between babies, so use your instinct. Most mothers find that 15 minutes on each side for a total nursing session of 30 minutes works great.
Positioning the baby is also up to you:
1. You may wish to cradle the baby's head on your arm while supporting his bottom with your hand.
2. Alternatively, if you have had a Cesarean, it may be more comfortable to tuck the baby's body under your arm so that he is not touching your incision, holding his head and shoulders in the palm of your hand. This is also a good position if you are having difficulty getting the baby to latch on. Since the baby is directly facing your breast, it makes it easier for him to get the nipple and areola in his mouth properly.
3. Lying down is always a good position for mothers who want to rest. Lie on your side and put the baby on his side with his feet facing the same direction as yours.
No matter what position you choose, use pillows to provide adequate back, arm and leg support. You can also place a pillow under your baby to raise him up to your breast. Make sure your baby's head is inclined and he's never flat while feeding to avoid middle ear infections. To avoid back pain, your feet should touch the floor comfortably when sitting. If you have large breasts, you can roll a small hand towel and place it under your breast to support the heaviness.
The first two months are a learning period. Just as you are learning to nurse your baby, he is learning to get his milk. Both of you can get frustrated and irritable. Try to comfort your baby and stay patient because if you get tense, so will he.
On the other hand, some babies feel so content at the breast that they keep falling asleep during feedings. If this happens, you can jiggle your breast in his mouth, or gently tickle his chin or feet to get him to wake up and continue to nurse. If these methods fail, you can try waking him up by changing his diaper or removing some clothing to bare his legs. Whatever you do, don't let him drift off to sleep, as he will get hungry again and want you to feed him every hour. You should try to give him at least five minutes on each side, so you can get two to three hours of sleep between feedings.
How often should I feed my baby? How do I ensure a good milk supply?
Feeding on demand is recommended, and you must feed constantly to establish your milk supply. The more your baby demands, the more your body will supply. You have a built-in sensor that tells your breasts to make more milk if your baby has a big appetite or less milk if he has a small one, so you will always make just enough for his needs.
If you feed on demand, your baby will probably nurse eight to 12 times every 24 hours for the first two to four weeks, or until he is well above birth weight. You will eventually settle into a routine as the baby grows and his feeding demands will become more regular. Nevertheless, continue to feed on demand. As the baby gets older, you will be able to get a good five to eight hours of sleep at night.
Avoid giving your baby anything other than breast milk for the first six months. To ensure a proper milk supply, your baby should nurse every time he is hungry to stimulate your breasts to make the correct amount of milk. If you regularly give him water or formula, he will nurse less often, and your milk production will decrease.
While in the hospital, inform the medical staff that your baby breastfeeds only, and that you are always available to nurse him, even in the middle of the night. Make it clear that you don't want any bottles given to your baby, because a well-intentioned nurse might give him a bottle to avoid waking you up. Remember that you want to bring in your milk, ensure your supply and avoid nipple confusion for your baby.
How do I know if my milk is good?
Mothers often worry that their babies are not gaining enough weight and that their milk is not nutritious. There is no "bad" breast milk, a mother's milk is always nutritious because her body formulates it to meet her baby's needs perfectly. A newborn normally loses weight after birth and then returns to his birth weight when he is around 10-14 days old. Weight gain should be calculated from that date.
Also, don't assume that a baby who cries frequently is always hungry and thus not satisfied with your milk. Remember, a crying baby is not always a hungry baby. Babies cry for many other reasons.
