Monday, August 29, 2011

Articles 20VN | Tips For Successful Breastfeeding | breatfeeding ...

With the exception of birth, breastfeeding is the most natural and beneficial act a mother can do for her baby. Breast milk passes antibodies along to your child that can help with development and possibly prevent childhood diseases. Breastfeeding can be very challenging in the beginning and takes a lot of work from mommy. Nevertheless, nothing is more rewarding than having that special bonding time during breastfeeding between mother and baby. Below are some tips to help new mommies create a successful and smooth breastfeeding experience.

Prepare Beforehand

Many accessories and books are available to guide and help you with breastfeeding. Once you've made the decision to breastfeed, it's a good idea to get books to educate yourself on what to expect and how the process works. This way once your baby is born, you have a good amount of knowledge on what could go wrong and make the needed adjustments. Breastfeeding pillows, footstools, chairs, and clothing are also readily accessible to make feeding time go more smoothly.

Create a great support system with friends and family, and join any recreational groups with breast feeding mothers for motivation and assistance. The Le Leche League gives guidance, classes, and information for free to any expecting or new mother.

From the Start

To ensure your baby takes to being breastfed, it's important you breastfeed her as soon as possible starting at birth. Preferably, the first feeding should take place no longer than an hour after birth. To keep her comfortable with breastfeeding, experts recommend you feed her the entire stay at the hospital as well. Feeding your newborn a bottle may cause her to reject the breast. Bottle feedings might also delay your milk from completely dropping. This could cause your little one to lose the beneficial colostrum milk mommy's body produces for the first week.

It's a good idea to breastfeed your baby when she wakes up from a nap, rather than before she goes down. Feeding before bedtimes means she might fall asleep and not get a complete feeding. This would increase your baby's feedings per day and throw sleeping and eating times off.

Making the Switch

At the beginning of each feeding make sure to use the opposite breast of the one that was used at the previous feeding. This ensures each breast has expelled even amounts of milk and prevents nipple soreness. You can keep an ongoing list marking down which side you started with last to keep track of which one to start with next time.

Give your baby enough time on each breast (about 10 to 15 minutes) before switching breasts during a feeding. As your little one feeds, more enriched milk is let down. Changing sides too quickly could keep her from receiving the nutrients she needs from the milk. When it's time to change sides, be sure to burp her before starting the new breast. This keeps spit-up at a minimum and makes room in her tummy for a complete meal.

Correct Latching and Position

There are a variety of positions so try to find which one suits your baby best. If the hospital or birthing center you use has a lactation specialist, have her come in and monitor a feeding session to give suggestions to ensure your little one is latching on correctly. Incorrect latching can lead to many problems for mommy and baby! Extra air can be sucked in causing stomach discomfort for Baby, not enough milk will be let down, and mom's nipples can become sore and cracked.

Being relaxed during feeding times allows proper letdown and keeps your baby from feeling stressed. Stress and disruptions can also lessen the quality of the milk produced. Once feeding begins, your baby should be taking in drinks at a steady and even pace of about one mouthful per 2 seconds.

Mommy's Diet & Rest

What you eat highly impacts the milk you produce. If you eat spicy foods your baby's tummy could be agitated and if you drink caffeine she could become wired and not sleep properly. A diet based on the four major food groups is recommended to pass healthy nutrients down to your baby through your milk. If you notice your little one struggling with more gas than usual or upset tummy, it's possible she is sensitive to a certain food you ate.

The amount of food you eat and calorie intake during breastfeeding should go up. La Lache League recommends you add an extra 500 calories daily to your diet. No matter what or when you choose to eat, your baby will get the same amount of nourishment, but mom will suffer greatly. Energy levels will deteriorate and stress levels go up making things hard for everyone. Try several small meals a day to help your energy levels stay regulated.

Finally, make sure you get plenty of rest! Do not turn down help from friends and family so you can fit in naps whenever possible. Don't worry about the house being perfect and don't feel bad about asking for meals. Most of us have been right where you are and understand when times get tough!

Source: http://www.20vn.com/babies-toddler/tips-for-successful-breastfeeding-fec.htm

the help trailer the help trailer final destination 5 model model herman cain ron paul

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.