By, about, and for breastfeeding mums
Breastfeeding Basics
In breastfeeding basics, each time the baby goes to the breast will stimulate the breasts, assisting the transition from colostrum to breast milk production (lactogenesis).
Feeding Frenzy
Around Day 2-3, baby often wants to feed more frequently, maybe 1-2 hourly. So feed him. Baby has passed lots of meconium poos, emptying out his gastro-intestinal tract, and his stomach capacity is gradually increasing in size in preparation for milk feeds. So feed him. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby, allowing baby to smell, hear and touch you and avoiding separations so you can respond to his feeding cues immediately will facilitate your 'milk coming in' - putting an end to the Day 2-3 feeding frenzy.
The Milk Arrives
Your breasts feel heavy, warm and may leak prior to or during feeds. Now it is advisable to feed your baby from one breast per feed, aiming to drain each breast a number of times during each 24 hour period. Baby will let you know when he's had enough. As baby grows he may drain the first breast and still want more, so the feed may be completed on the second breast.
How Do I Know How Long To Feed My Baby?
In general, the baby's needs should determine feeding length. Allowing the baby to remove himself from the breast will ensure that he has received the high-fat hindmilk needed for optimal growth. Limiting the time spent on the breast may result in the baby's receiving foremilk from both breasts and becoming too full to obtain a significant amount of hindmilk from either breast.
Flexibility on the mothers part will allow for variations in the baby's nursing style, hunger, and daily temperament. Some feeds will be completed in less time and fewer instalments according to baby's needs. Be flexible, and respond to your baby's early feeding cues and your baby will be contented and thrive - and sleep well between feeds.
Small babies usually have a long wakeful time during each 24 hours. Generally, mothers should allow the baby to remain at the breast until he spontaneously releases the breast on his own. If the baby tends to 'linger' at the breast, the mother can watch for a change from nutritive to non-nutritive sucking. If the mother removes him from the breast at this time it should not significantly affect milk quantity. However, mothers should be encouraged to gauge their individual baby's needs. Some babies need more comfort sucking at the breast than others need. Parents need to avoid strict schedules and allow the baby to lead his feedings. This supports the individual nature of infant needs and the importance of baby-led feedings. Each baby's own rhythm will reflect his feeding patterns. Be prepared for your baby to change his pattern of feeding from time to time. This usually coincides with a growth spurt, and baby will demand feeds more frequently for a day or two. If mothers are prepared for growth spurt feeding behaviours they are more likely to cope with it appropriately and continue to successfully breastfeed their babies. All babies experience periods of sudden growth during their early months.
The Misbeliefs
Two common misbeliefs in breastfeeding basics are that (1) small-breasted women cannot produce enough milk and that (2) if you do not have enough milk when you begin nursing, you will never satisfy your baby's great need for nourishment. In all pregnant women a physical change occurs in the milk ducts that enlarges the breasts to satisfy your baby's great need for nourishment. In addition, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your breasts produce quickly. And a new baby nurses approximately every 1-1½ hours at first.
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