Everything you need to know about breastfeeding your baby
If there is one subject that often worries the mother-to-be, it is breastfeeding. How to properly breastfeed my baby? How many feedings should I give him per day? Will I have enough breast milk to feed him? Every mom-to-be/young mom asks them. And even after the baby has settled down and found his rhythm, there are questions about the mother's body: Will my breasts be marked? Will my breasts be deformed by breastfeeding? Is it normal for my nipples to be so sensitive?
Again, these are legitimate questions for a young mother. We obviously want to do everything possible for the health of our child, such as breastfeeding for example, but at what price for the body of the young mother?
Voil so many questions to which we will try to answer you simply, so that you too can find your marks to breastfeed your little one.
How do I start breastfeeding my baby?
Right after the birth, skin-to-skin is practiced between the mother and the child.
At this moment, bébéd covers the smell of his mother, the contact of his skin, and an indeacute;fectible bond is created é this moment. It is at this moment that the first tattoo is generally practiced.
During this first attempt at breastfeeding, breast milk is needed, bé té will be colostrum:
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- Colostrum is a yellow/orange liquid, very rich in vitamins and antibodies. It is present in the young mother during the first days/weeks after childbirth.
This first time is made to strengthen the health of baby and equip him with everything needed to start his young life well. Naturally, the mouth of the child in contact with his mother will start a natural sucking movement: his body instinctively sucking. It is then enough to bring his mouth close to the breast for him to start sucking.
During this first breastfeeding, the young mother is supervised by the maternity ward, and the midwife and nursing staff are there to guide her in the gestures she should adopt. The midwife and the nursing staff are the ones who guide the baby in the right way. They show him the right position to adopt, the small gestures to facilitate the breastfeeding, and they take the opportunity to make sure that the baby is well nourished.
The breastfeeding starts right after the birth. As soon as he is out and washed, bé is entitled to his first cup of breast milk.
Note
even if you have decided to or cannot breastfeed, the postpartum ritual is the same. We practice skin-to-skin with baby, then we give him his first bottle. Everything is done so that bébé becomes familiar with his mother right away.
How often should baby nurse?
This is also a common question among young parents.
Many answers are possible:
- On average, 8 times/day.
- When bés; rés and lets it be known that it is hungry.
Although you read about bébés, you will quickly learn that each case is unique. One can say that at first, during the first few weeks, the days follow each other but do not necessarily resemble.
As soon as it comes to food, you realize that each body is different. Nevertheless, keep in mind the average figure of 8 teas per day. A mother breastfeeds her child approximately every 3 hours. In fact, lactation (the production of breast milk in women) follows this rhythm. You will see that your body's rhythm is often the same as your baby's. Over time, women's bodies tend to synchronize with the time of day. In some cases, lactation is abundant. In this case, we advise the use of a breast pump to remove the overflow, or simply put it in a bottle to give it then à the child.
Note
même if you are breastfeeding your child, you can use a bottle. All you have to do is use a breast pump. Thus, even if you are bottle-fed, your infant will still enjoy the benefits of breast milk. This is called mixed breastfeeding (breastfeeding/bottle feeding).
Am I getting enough milk for my baby?
This is a common and normal question. No woman knows in advance if her body will be able to produce enough milk for her child.
For that matter, at the beginning, we also doubt when the pregnancy went well. Did it last long enough?
The most reliable indicator is the baby's weight. During the first few weeks of life, every medical appointment is an opportunity to review the baby's growth. You will then know if your breastfeeding routine is sufficient. Your baby should gain weight fairly quickly. This will be the best indicator.
Don't panic, b&b and you will be monitored closely throughout the breastfeeding process.
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In what position should you breastfeed your child?
A golden rule applies to the breastfeeding position:
- The mother and child should be comfortable.
At the maternity hospital, the midwife as well as the nursing staff will indicate several different postures. The Madonna, à califourchon, the semi-sitting position ... Each one is both ergonomic and comfortable.
Concretely, you can use a nursing pillow to let your baby rest comfortably, then offer him your breasts. He'll choose which one he wants to nurse on. By the way, you will quickly notice if he is not comfortable:
- In the wrong position, bé can injure your teats and nipples.
- In the wrong position, he will have trouble dribbling.
- In a bad position, the tetanus can last a very long time because of the discomfort.
Keep it simple! Sit in a comfortable position with baby in your arms. Use a nursing pillow to settle bé and your arm, then offer your breasts to him. You'll find that your baby's mouth will instinctively find your tone. Sucking will take care of itself and you won't suffer.
What is the role of the father in breastfeeding?
A little point that is rarely thought about before breastfeeding: what is the place of the father in this cérémonial?
When breastfeeding, the mother spends ément of time in tête à tête with the infant. Because of the difference in bottle feeding, the father does not really have a place. If he can give a bottle, he can't breastfeed!
Here are two very good tips for not disabling your child's father and for him not to feel left out:
- You can occasionally use a breast pump and bottle.
On the one hand, this will get your little one used to the bottle (sometimes the adaptation is more complicated if you wait for the 2nd milk), and on the other hand, dad will play an active role. This will allow him to also promote the connection between him and his child.
- The father can be present at the time of the tents .
With your côt, your touch and your infant's touch, he takes part in this little ritual. Some fathers suffer from a lack of closeness or intimacy, both with their partner and their child. This can lead to latent tensions in the couple. By doing this, you are helping to strengthen the bond between the three of you.
The relationship between the three of you is not just a matter of being close, but also a matter of being together.
Breastfeeding = healthy lifestyle
<I'm not sure how to do that.
Sure, breastfeeding is good, and it is often the best way to feed your child during the first few months. On the other hand, breastfeeding requires the mother to have good hygiene. Alcohol and tobacco should be banned from daily life.
We know very well that during pregnancy, while baby is growing in the womb, he is directly affected by what she consumes. This is the reason why tobacco and alcohol are forbidden, otherwise baby would consume them without his knowledge. However, during the gestation phase, these substances can cause growth problems for the infant.
During breastfeeding, it is the same. It is proven that breast milk is a vector of many substances consumed by the mother. This is the case for alcohol and tobacco.
It has also been shown that breast milk may not always have the same taste. Some foods can change the taste. Onions, garlic and leeks are known for this. This is a good thing, since from a very young age, baby will experience different flavors during the breastfeeding phase, making him better prepared for the stage of dietary diversification.
IT'S YOUR TURN TO PLAY!
Remember that breastfeeding is still the best way to have fun in life.
Vitamins and antibodies will be passed on naturally, without artificial additives. In addition, breastfeeding really promotes closeness and complicity between mother and child.
On the other hand, from the first few days, if you have doubts, it's normal! All mothers will tell you that there is a certain amount of improvisation and feeling during the first few weeks. You learn to feel and understand your child. So don't have any remorse or doubt, you're doing a great job, that's for sure!
Good luck with the breastfeeding phase, but above all, enjoy it! These moments fly by so quickly...