How many minutes should you breastfeed your newborn? About breastfeeding

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova

Reading time: 8 minutes

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Article last updated: 05/02/2019

As soon as a young mother with a baby first appears at home, a woman has a lot of questions related to caring for a child. The most common of these is how often to feed a newborn? A properly organized diet ensures a restful sleep and normal digestion of the child, as well as a good rest for a young mother.

First feeding

Some time after the birth of a child, a woman begins to actively produce colostrum - the most valuable product that precedes milk. To successfully establish breastfeeding and establish a psycho-emotional connection between the baby and the mother, it is applied to the breast during the first 30 minutes of life.

3-6 days after birth, colostrum is replaced by mature milk. Experts recommend feeding children on demand and as often as possible, this contributes to the activation of the mammary glands. In addition, frequent attachment gives the baby a sense of calm and security due to tactile contact with the mother.

How often to breastfeed

Understanding how often to feed your newborn breast milk, comes in the process of constant observation of his behavior. Analyzing the actions and reactions of the baby, the mother learns to find out whether the child is hungry or not. For high-quality breastfeeding, it is necessary from the first days to master the correct grip of the breast by the baby and to know the signs indicating the approach of hunger.

The first days of feeding and the formation of the regime

The Soviet method of feeding assumed a strict schedule - a clear interval of 3 hours between meals throughout the day. Modern experts unanimously declare that children should receive food on demand. This method has a positive effect on the growth and development of the baby, and also has a beneficial effect on the woman's body, namely:

With frequent application of the baby, an active contraction of the walls of the uterus occurs, damage is restored faster;
A woman quickly acquires her "pre-pregnant" form;
The emotional bond between mother and child is strengthened.

An increasing number of maternity hospitals are practicing co-location of mother and newborn, this mode ensures the availability of the mother's breast at the first request of the crumbs. Signals to start feeding are:

Smacking movements of the lips;
Opening of the mouth, search movements of the tongue;
Turning the head to the side;
grunting;
Scream.

The small size of the baby's stomach forces him to eat often, but in small quantities. It is considered normal to breastfeed 8–12 times, approximately 2–3 hours after the beginning of the previous one, but if the child requires more, the number of attachments is increased by as much as the baby requires. Gradually, the stomach grows and the frequency of feeding decreases due to an increase in the time of breast sucking. Everything is individual - some babies need one feeding for several hours, others need to eat in an hour.

Observing the baby during this period allows you to find out his natural rhythms: how much he eats, sleeps, how he behaves with symptoms of hunger or the need to go to the toilet. When studying the needs of a newborn, you can identify a pattern that will provide mom with free moments during his sleep, as well as calculate the approximate time for a quiet meal without being distracted by extraneous things.

When providing feedings on demand of the child, pumping is not required. Do this when absolutely necessary:
with roughening of the chest,
due to strong tide;
with temporary separation;
with lactostasis;
to increase lactation.

Meal Schedule

Often an unpleasant discovery for parents is a violation of the established regime. This happens due to the growth of the child: he no longer needs to sleep every half hour, he is able to stay awake for an hour, studying the environment. The time of his feeding also increases, the child can spend an hour or even more at the breast.

Children born with a weight of 3.5-4 kg usually maintain a gap between meals of 3.5-4 hours. The increase in intervals will occur in direct proportion to the increase in body weight, as the amount of food received at one time increases daily. Also, the frequency of meals depends on the composition of mother's milk. If it is sufficiently fatty and nutritious, then the feeling of satiety in the baby lasts longer.

A healthy baby, even on a flexible feeding schedule, eventually sets up intervals of 4 hours between feedings. Usually, by 6 weeks, children develop a routine that is purely individual for each.

During this period, you can organize its regimen so that feeding falls out at the time of awakening. A well-fed child will calmly spend the time of wakefulness without screaming and tension, will fall asleep soundly until the next meal. In a situation where the baby falls asleep while eating, he often wakes up with a growing feeling of hunger and the period of wakefulness passes restlessly, without causing pleasure from the game.

When feeding, you should not take the breast forcibly, the baby will release it as soon as he eats a sufficient portion of milk for him. If it is necessary to release the breast, but the baby does not let it go, you can insert the little finger into the baby's mouth, parallel to the nipple - this will open the baby's jaws and ensure weaning it from the breast.

Night feedings

Observing the night mode is no less important than the daytime one. Night meal benefits:

Lack of milk stagnation, prevention of lactostasis;
The production of the hormone prolactin, which ensures stable lactation;
Inhibition of the restoration of ovulation processes in a woman's body;
Formation of a strong emotional bond between the newborn and the mother;
A complete satisfaction of the baby's hunger.

Arranging a joint sleep or taking a newborn out of bed while feeding is an individual decision for each woman. The frequency of feeding is determined by the need of the child: you need to apply to the breast as many times as the baby needs. On average, this happens every 2-3 hours. Night feedings are not recommended to be stopped until six months, especially for children who are not gaining weight well. You can finish when both the child and the mother are ready for this.

Breast milk nutrition chart

*On a mobile device, horizontal scrolling at the bottom of the table

Nutrition calculation table for a child from 0 to a year
Age	Break between feedings / night break	The need for breast milk, ml / time	Milk requirement, ml/day	Feeding/ times
3-4 days	After 3 hours	20-60	200-300	8-12
up to 1 month		80-100	600-700	8-7
1 to 2	After 3-3.5 hours / night break 6-6.5 hours	110-140	700-900	6-7
2 to 4	After 3-3.5 hours / night break 6-6.5 hours	140-160	800-1000	6
4 to 6	After 3.5-4 hours / night break 6.5-8 hours	160-180	900-1000	6-5
6 to 9	After 4 hours / night break 8 hours	180-200	1000-1100	5
9 to 12	After 4-4.5 hours / night break 8-9 hours	200-240	1100-1200	5-4

Signs of hunger in a newborn

If you learn to identify your baby's hunger signals, then he won't have to cry to get your attention. In the first weeks of life, the mother's breast satisfies all the basic needs of the crumbs.

Here are some signs that a new mother needs to learn to recognize, as they speak of the baby's need for food:

There is movement of the eyes under the eyelids.
There is muscle tension.
The child begins to move restlessly.
Produces various sounds.
She puts her hands in her mouth and sucks her fingers.

In order to be able to know exactly how often to feed a newborn, you need to listen to him, observe changes in behavior. And after a while you will learn all the signals of your child, talking about a particular need.

Young mothers are often worried - how to properly feed a child? How often should I breastfeed or formula? Is there a concept at all - "too often" regarding the nutrition of a newborn?

How often should you breastfeed your baby?

The first time you need to attach the baby is still in the delivery room. If you are at the stage of choosing a maternity hospital, pay attention to what rules regarding early attachment to the breast are followed there.

The ideal option is when you can breastfeed the baby immediately after birth, and then lie in the ward together to feed in a way that suits you.

How often does a newborn eat?

The first days and weeks of the baby, who is on breastfeeding, eats very often. First, a small stomach can hold very little food. And secondly, the child needs to eat a lot in order to quickly gain strength and grow up.

In any case, breast milk is digested faster in the stomach, so the baby is very often hungry. The most reasonable option is to take a closer look at the child and independently understand how often to feed the newborn.

Average feeding frequency

According to statistics, at first, newborns require a breast every 1.5-2 hours during the day. Night breaks between meals are lengthened, but not much - up to 3-4 hours between feedings.

This mode is optimal for the mother to improve milk production, and the child is used to confidently taking soft breasts. A little later, when more milk comes, he will already be able to cope well with more filled breasts.

How do you know when it's time to feed?

The first signs that the baby is hungry are as follows:

The child's sleep becomes restless, the eyelids tremble - which means that the baby will wake up soon.
The baby starts to squeak and smack his lips. The reflex turns on, as if hinting to mom that, in general, it's time.
The baby may then begin to turn its head little by little in search of a source of milk.

It is more correct to give the baby a breast at this very moment. Appetite has come, but the child has not yet begun to get nervous. If the mother waits until the baby cries, it is likely that he may take the breast incorrectly, and this is already the cause of screaming, worries and a growing coma of problems.

On demand or on demand?

Benefits of On Demand Feeding

The most natural is the method of feeding newborns "on demand", that is, when the baby wants. It is under such conditions the best way mother's milk production is getting better and proper nutrition child.

This method of feeding is recommended by the World Health Organization. During breastfeeding, a woman's body produces the hormone oxytocin, which promotes milk production. Thus, it turns out that milk is produced exactly as much as the baby needs.

Features of feeding "according to the regime"

At the same time, feeding "according to the regimen" also has its fans. He does not have many advantages, but for some mothers they are very significant:

with this type of feeding, a constant daily routine is established. This is very convenient for parents, as they can somehow plan life with a newborn;
during the daytime, breastfeeding is supposed to be done at intervals of 3 hours. At night, the intervals are longer - 6 hours;
with feeding "according to the regimen", the mother gets the opportunity to sleep peacefully at night.

However, this method can lead to the extinction of lactation. In addition, the child does not always fill up in the 20 minutes allocated for feeding and may get hungry faster than it should be on schedule. In this case, tears and worries are inevitable.

Feeding a bottle-fed baby

The situation can develop in different ways, and it happens that you have to transfer the baby to artificial breast milk substitutes. However, doctors are quite categorical and insist that at least in the very early age the baby was breastfed.

Indications for the transfer of crumbs to artificial feeding

The indications for switching to mixtures are quite strict:

infectious diseases in the mother or the need to take strong medications.
very difficult childbirth, after which a woman needs a long recovery.
mother's absence.
insufficient milk production or its absence. It is determined by control weighings and examinations of the child.

Artificial feeding has completely different principles and approaches. The mixture, of course, they try to make it look like breast milk, but it is completely different in its composition.

What feeding regimen to choose?

You can feed a newborn with a mixture only on a schedule. Milk replacer is digested in the baby's tummy longer and therefore the child may well withstand a certain interval between feedings.

How to calculate the correct amount of formula for a newborn?

The calculation of the required amount of the mixture is carried out according to a special formula:

the age of the newborn (in days) must be multiplied by 80 (or by 70 if the birth weight is below normal),
then divide this number by the number of feedings per day, and you will get the norm of the mixture for one feeding.

Please note that this formula is only suitable for newborns!

On average, the norm of a mixture of a child in the first month of life is about 30-50 ml at a time.

How often should I formula feed my baby?

The newborn should receive formula at intervals of 3 hours. Such a regular intake gives the baby time to fully digest his food and improve bowel function.
The night interval is assumed to be quite large - from 6 hours.

Very often, bottle-fed babies sleep quite soundly at night due to the satiety of the food. If the baby wakes up earlier, it is better to try to offer him water.

An excessive amount of the mixture will not only add to the child excess weight that at this age, in principle, is not very scary, but it can also overload the delicate stomach and cause problems with digestion.

Does a newborn need water?

This question causes a lot of controversy. Pediatricians believe that it is necessary to supplement a breastfed child according to the circumstances. If it is hot and stuffy outside or indoors, if the mother’s milk is very fatty, it will be better if you offer the baby ordinary drinking water.

If the child is on artificial feeding, it is necessary to supplement it with water. The fact is that mother's milk changes its fat content and nutritional value in one feeding, but the mixture is still food. Therefore, always offer your artificial baby some drinking baby water.

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova

Reading time: 10 minutes

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Article last updated: 04/28/2019

Loving parents always worry about the health of their baby, and in infancy, nutrition is undoubtedly the most important thing. Pediatricians recommend that all women breastfeed their children. Studies show that breastfed children suffer less from allergic reactions, obesity and diabetes, they have higher immunity and less speech defects. The composition of women's milk is unique, even the best mixtures have not become its complete analogue. Nature made sure that it is ideal for a newborn. Lactation problems that occur in mothers are often associated with a lack of knowledge of how to breastfeed properly.

First breastfeeding

A few days after the birth, the mother does not have milk, only a small amount of colostrum is produced. Do not worry that it is too small and the child will be hungry. For a newborn, only 20-30 ml is enough. Colostrum is much superior to milk in terms of the concentration of proteins, vitamins and microelements. But the content of fats and carbohydrates in it is reduced. This contributes to the settlement of the intestines of the baby with beneficial microflora and cleaning it from meconium, reduces the likelihood of jaundice in newborns.

The immune system of a newborn is in its infancy. Immunoglobulins contained in colostrum will be the first defenders of the baby from infections.

Now in maternity hospitals, early attachment of the newborn to the breast is practiced. In addition to preventing possible troubles with lactation, early application causes contraction of the mother's uterus and accelerates the separation of the placenta.

Contraindications for early breastfeeding

Early application is not possible if:

The woman was done C-section with general anesthesia;
There was a lot of blood loss;
The mother has a venereal or serious infectious disease;
The pregnant woman was treated before giving birth, taking a course of antibiotics;
The condition of the newborn is severe, the test result according to the rapid assessment method is below 7 points.

In order to be able to fully feed when the problems disappear, it is necessary to express milk regularly with a breast pump or manually.

It is recommended to carry out the first pumping no later than 6 hours after childbirth, then perform the procedure every 3 hours with a night break of 5-6 hours. This will help keep lactation at an acceptable level and avoid mastitis.

Causes of insufficient lactation

Insufficient lactation occurs in a woman in the postpartum period if:

she suffered toxicosis in the third trimester of pregnancy,
had an obstetric operation
she had a hormonal imbalance
age over 35 years.

How to put a baby to the breast

Important practical advice from lactation consultants - how to breastfeed your baby:

The baby must independently capture the areola along with the nipple. When he is hungry, he searches for breasts with his open mouth, makes sucking movements with his lips, and turns his head. Mom can help him by pinching the areola between two fingers so that the baby grabs more than just the tip of the nipple. The lips turn slightly outwards. The deep grip on the nipple prevents it from cracking.
Mommy should get comfortable so as not to get tired, because. feeding usually takes a long time. In the process of sucking, unpleasant painful sensations should not appear.
The baby should be positioned with his stomach to the mother, his mouth should be against the chest, the neck should not be turned, and the head should be firmly fixed. The baby should be able to adjust the location of the nipple in the mouth and turn away when it is full. He should not make an effort to reach the nipple, this may cause insufficient latch. It is necessary to ensure that the baby's nose is not closed.
If the baby cries and does not take the breast in any way, you can gently touch his cheeks or lips, squeeze a few drops of milk into his mouth.
If a superficial grip occurs, then the mother can step back by easily pressing the baby's chin.
You have to control the depth of capture all the time. The baby can correctly capture the breast, but in the process of sucking gradually move to the tip of the nipple, it is not difficult for mommy to understand this by painful sensations. Remove the breast from the baby and reattach.

Postures for feeding

The mother sits, holds the child in her arms, the head rests on the crook of the elbow - this is the most common location. While the weight of the crumbs is small, it is convenient to hold it on one hand, and the other can be helped to properly capture the nipple.
If a newborn is having problems, additional head control can be obtained by holding small hand opposite to the breast offered to the baby. In this case, the slightly tilted back head is held by the palm of the hand, which makes it easier for the child to take the areola. The disadvantage is that the mother's hand gets tired quickly, so it is recommended to put a pillow under it.
It is also good for the control of attachment and high-quality emptying of the mammary gland when the baby is located on the arm and pillow under the arm on the side of the mother. Since there is no pressure on the abdomen, this is a suitable position after a caesarean section.
The most comfortable position for the mother is lying on her side. The baby is laid side by side, raising his head with the help of a hand or a blanket folded several times.
Feeding is possible when a woman, lying on her back, places the baby on her stomach.

Breastfeeding Rules

You need to feed the newborn on demand, this is one of the conditions for successful lactation. Milk production is directly proportional to how much the baby sucks.

Mother's milk is easy to digest, so frequent feeding does not harm the digestive system of the crumbs. After about six weeks, the child himself will establish a fairly stable schedule.

If the child is restless, then mothers perceive feeding on demand as a situation where the baby literally lives in the mother's arms. This suits not all women. Many doctors recommend a free schedule, when eating is not tied to a specific time, but a two-hour break is still observed. If the child is sleeping, then they do not wake him up. If he is calmly awake, not demanding food, then it is not offered.

The duration of one feeding depends on the personal qualities of the baby. Some babies eat more actively and are quickly satiated, others suckle slowly and fall asleep, but when they try to remove the nipple, they wake up and continue to eat. It is considered normal when suckling lasts about half an hour.

You can determine that the child is full by the following signs: he calmly releases his chest, is in a good mood, sleeps normally, and gains weight in accordance with age.

It is recommended to give one breast per feeding, alternately replacing them. Let the child empty its contents to the end. This will allow you to establish sufficient lactation, and the baby will receive both the initial liquid portions, the so-called foremilk, and thicker hindmilk, which contains a significant amount of nutrients. If there is not enough milk, then it is allowed to use both breasts in one feeding, but avoid overfeeding.

Most effective method prevention of insufficient lactation - regular attachment of the baby to the breast, because it is the irritation of the woman's nipple that starts the process of milk production.

If a woman has problems that she cannot solve on her own, then you can learn how to breastfeed properly from a pediatrician, an experienced midwife or a lactation consultant.

Timing and frequency of feedings

It is necessary to breastfeed a newborn up to six months of age, it is desirable to continue it up to a year. Further preservation of natural feeding depends entirely on the desire and capabilities of the mother.

In the first week, the child requires food up to 10-12 times a day, then the number of feedings is reduced. The process can be uneven. During periods of active growth, and this is 7-10 days, 4-6 weeks, 6 months, the baby's appetite increases. The increase in milk production by 2-3 days may lag behind and at this time food may be required more often. But The general trend to increase the intervals and decrease the number of feedings is maintained. By the age of one, the baby is usually breastfed twice a day.

When feeding on demand, the question of night feedings often arises. For a mom, this can be quite tiring.

Pediatricians advise the first six months to be sure to respond to requests, as night feeding increases the overall production of milk and gives the baby additional nutrients.

Later, when the baby's diet becomes more varied due to the introduction of complementary foods, you can not get up at night. The creation of a humid and cool microclimate in the sleeping room will help in this. You can also practice late evening bathing before the final daily feeding.

It is important for young mothers to know how to properly feed a newborn with breast milk, what should be the regimen, the necessary norms, acceptable postures when breastfeeding. The health of the woman and the child depends on this process. Improper attachment is one of the causes of lactation disorders. To avoid problems, you need to remember the basic rules, which will be discussed.

The rules for breastfeeding children in the 21st century have changed a lot compared to the previous century. Many strong recommendations were refuted or softened.

You don't need to wash your breasts before every feeding.: the fat layer will be washed off the skin. This protective film protects the nipples from cracks and scratches. Frequent use of soap will dry out the skin and nipples. It is enough to take a shower at the beginning and end of the day.

In most cases, babies under 6 months of age do not need to be given water. Additional soldering is allowed in case of constipation, but this rarely happens on GW

It is not necessary to offer water to the baby before the age of 6 months if he is breastfed. Mother's milk replaces food and drink. He will find all useful substances in milk and will not feel thirsty.

A nursing woman is recommended to drink a glass of liquid - pure water, rosehip broth, tea with milk 15-20 minutes before the start of the process. This will increase lactation and give strength.

chest grip

Mother's milk is the most suitable food for newborns. This is important for the full development of the child. In order for the first attempts to be successful, you need to know some of the subtleties of the process.

First time

The first feeding of the newborn should occur within the first hour after delivery.. This stimulates the woman's nipples and activates the lactation system, thanks to which the contraction of the uterus in the postpartum period is better. The baby has a feeling of hunger, colostrum starts the process of formation of the correct microflora.

The benefits of the first servings of milk (colostrum) are determined by its composition. The table describes its main components.

Component	Description
Polypeptides	Stimulate the growth and reproduction of cells, tissue repair
Vitamin B	Participates in the formation and development of the nervous system, stimulates hematopoiesis
Subtype A antibodies	Protect mucous membranes digestive system and nasopharynx from infection
endorphins	Increase the body's resistance to adverse external conditions and stress
Amino acids	Promote the development of the brain, heart, muscle tissue
Prebiotics	Fill your gut with beneficial bacteria
Antioxidants	Stimulate the formation of the body's defenses.

The first application initiates the feeding process. This is a natural process, important and necessary for a child to grow and develop safely.

5 stages of breast capture

In how to properly feed a newborn with breast milk, the most important thing is breast capture (read if you need it). First, wash your hands thoroughly. A few drops of milk can be squeezed out of the nipple to lubricate the nipple. It will become softer, it will be easier for the baby to grab it with his mouth.

Stages of capturing the breast with the baby's mouth:
1
Place pillows or cushions under the child so that his back is straight. Mom clasps her breasts with her fingers, not touching the circle of the areola. He brings the baby to his face. He will smell the milk, open his mouth. If this does not happen, it is necessary to squeeze out droplets of milk on his lips, put the nipple on his mouth.
2
The chin touches the mother's breasts, and the nose faces the nipple. The mouth should open wide. The nipple and part of the areola should enter the mouth.

The mouth should cover the areola, not just the nipple

3
The baby will start suckling. Babies are different - some immediately suck actively, others do it slowly. If the milk leaks a little from the corner of the mouth, the baby's head should be raised, put the index finger under the lower lip. The baby will press the lips tighter.
4
When the baby has eaten and begins to fall asleep, put your index finger between the chest and the corner of the mouth. This will help to pull out the nipple without effort.
5
You do not need to immediately dress, it is advisable to let the milk dry on the nipple. The child must be held in an upright position so that he burps air. After a characteristic sound, put him to bed.

At correct technique the baby will develop quality suckling. This will prevent future nipple injuries. It will be easier for mom to cope with the baby when he grows up and gains weight. If the mother has, it is imperative to find out the reasons, because this is fraught with serious diseases.

The following video shows how to properly breastfeed your newborn.

Attachment in different postures

The choice of position for feeding the newborn remains with the mother. The process should take place in a relaxed state. It is important to take the load off the woman's back.

sitting position

Mom puts her hands in the "cradle". There should be support under the back

In this position, it is convenient to feed throughout the day. Be sure to provide support for the back to give rest to the spine.

A suitable position when mom folds her arms in the form of a cradle. One hand supports the head, and the other the rest of the body. The baby's body is turned towards the mother, it is convenient for the mouth to reach the nipple.

For weak and premature babies, it is better to lay a pillow under the body. It will be convenient for mom to control the baby's head with both hands.

Lying position

Mom puts the baby on her side, and she herself lies on the side. Baby's head on mom's hand

If the mother had a cesarean section or she has stitches in the perineum, then it is better to lie down during the whole process. How to feed a newborn with breast milk lying down is shown even in the hospital.

There are several provisions:

Mom is on her arm. She puts the child on her side, she lies next to her side. In order for the baby to eat from the upper breast, it is placed on a pillow. For the bottom pillow is removed. The head rests on the mother's hand.
Child on mother. In this way, the baby is fed with severe colic, as well as a large rush of milk from the mother, so that the newborn does not choke. Mom lies on her back, puts the newborn with her tummy on her stomach so that he can reach the nipple. Mom can put a pillow under her head and shoulders.
From under the arm. The nursing woman half-sitting, leaning on her thigh and forearm, the baby lies on a pillow between the mother and the supporting arm. She holds the child's head from below, gives him a breast from above.

During the day, the positions change depending on the preference of the woman and the circumstances.

Negative consequences due to incorrect application

Proper attachment of a newborn during breastfeeding will help to avoid many troubles. The baby can damage the nipple. He sucks hard, but improper attachment prevents him from getting milk. This will cause pain to the woman, some refuse for this reason to try again to breastfeed.

It also provokes inefficient sucking of milk. Because of this the gland will coarsen, swell, inflame. We advise you to read and advice on how to prevent it.

It is worth buying clothes for nursing mothers in advance - blouses and t-shirts with slits

Nursing mothers sometimes have to feed their babies in public places. If you plan a long walk, then you need to consider that the child will get hungry, so you need to prepare. Take with you a large scarf or diaper, a set of wet and dry wipes, a small snack.

Can be worn special clothing for nursing women - these are blouses, T-shirts with slits for the chest, sewn-in bras. When it’s time to eat, it’s better to be proactive: don’t wait for demanding crying, feed the baby before he asks.

You should find a secluded place where there will be fewer people. If this is not the case, then just sit down, turning away to attract less attention. Throw a scarf, a diaper over your shoulders to hide your baby from prying eyes. Feed him and vilify vertically (read in this article), as the newborn should be kept in this position after feeding to spit up air.

Eating outdoors excites a good appetite and gives sound sleep. Mom allows you to take a break from the everyday work of caring for the baby. If feeding outside the home is not possible, you can bring a bottle of expressed milk with you. How to use a breast pump in this case and which one is better to choose is a topic.

Basic Rules

Breastfeeding must be done correctly. When applying, various difficulties arise that affect feeding.

How to alternate breasts

Milk in the gland is not homogeneous. First, the baby sucks the so-called "front" milk. It is more liquid, it contains less fat and nutrients. Then comes the “back”, more saturated portion. This combination allows the baby to eat a balanced diet. When feeding, you need to give one breast, and the next - the other.

If at one time the baby sucked first from one gland, then a little from another, then he received two not very nutritious portions, and the saturated remnants no longer want to eat up. It is reasonable to alternate breasts only when establishing a feeding regimen, and not on ordinary days.

Mode or requirement - which is better?

Modern pediatricians are inclined to believe that it is better to feed newborn babies on demand, and not by the hour. After all, the baby calls his mother not only during hunger. When sucking, it is easier for him to calm down. With his mother, he is not so scared, cold or exciting. Lactation with on-demand feeding will be stable.

Feeding at night should not be ignored, although this entails inconvenience for the mother

The hourly feeding schedule for a newborn baby is convenient because it is predictable. When feeding on demand, the mother becomes “attached” to the baby. This is especially unusual for young women with their first child.

Be sure to feed at night. The hormone prolactin responsible for lactation is produced at night. The most effective are meals from 2 am to 8 am.

Mom is not able to sleep with this newborn feeding regimen, but you need to use the baby’s daytime sleep hours for your rest. In the future, the child will grow up and stop eating at night.

How much should a newborn suckle

Each baby is individual. From birth, he has his own character. One sucks briskly and actively for 15 minutes, the other - slowly, with pleasure, almost 40 minutes. With prolonged feeding, cracks may appear on the nipples. But if you take the breast earlier, the fattest and most useful portion will not go to the baby.

There is a norm for breastfeeding a newborn- from 10 to 40 minutes. Next, you need to observe the child, whether he eats during this time.

A few signs that the baby is full

If the baby is gaining weight and feels good, then he is full

Many breastfeeding women worry about whether their child is full at the rate of feeding a newborn. There are several signs by which you can understand that the baby is full:

the newborn is gaining weight normally and feels good (in this publication you will familiarize yourself with by months);
urine is excreted about 10 times a day;
the chair looks like a porridge, up to 8 times a day;
the skin is clean, pink;
The development of the baby goes according to the timing.

Capricious behavior between meals cannot be a symptom of a lack of milk. He may be tormented by colic or an uncomfortable posture. How much a newborn should eat in one feeding can be determined with a pediatrician. It depends on birth weight and age.

7 times you shouldn't breastfeed

There are situations when the use of mother's milk is contraindicated, as it can transfer drug residues or bacteria from the mother to the child.

Diseases and conditions of a woman that exclude breastfeeding:

oncology;
open form of tuberculosis;
deadly infections - plague, cholera;
mental disorders - schizophrenia;
taking drugs for nervous disorders - antidepressants, lithium salts:
hepatitis.

For some diseases (chickenpox, measles), milk must be expressed, sterilized and then given to the baby.

Conclusion

Breast milk is essential for the growth and development of a baby's immune system. But in order for this process to be beneficial, you need to remember the basic rules for applying and grabbing the chest. You need to understand that some diseases impose restrictions on breastfeeding and even prohibit it. Therefore, ask about the rules in a timely manner. artificial feeding, and also about for the newborn.

Hello dear mothers! We turn to you. After all, basically, only mothers are engaged in feeding their miracle child. But, if dads and grandparents want to learn about the features of feeding the baby, no one will object.

Surely, already in the last months of pregnancy, you, mother, thought about how you would feed the baby. Will it be breast milk or formula?

And if you have given preference to breastfeeding, then you have already taken the first step towards breastfeeding. You have tuned in to breastfeeding not only psychologically, but also physiologically.

Breast milk is nature's intended food for the baby. Breastfeeding is a process as natural as pregnancy and childbirth, a logical extension of the nine amazing months of waiting for your baby.

How often to feed a newborn?

In order not to miscalculate, follow the principle - feed the baby on demand and at will. Note that this principle only applies to breastfeeding, as the mixture is absorbed longer. When artificial feeding mode is needed.

Breastfeed your newborn as often as he wants and hold at the breast until he is full. Then you will produce exactly as much milk as your baby needs.

How many times to feed a newborn?

Newborn babies may require breasts up to 15 times a day. Some suck often and little by little (may ask to eat every hour). And only after several feedings do they eat and fall asleep. Listen to your child, he will establish a feeding-nutrition regimen that is convenient for him.

What needs to be prepared and how to tune in to feeding?

Breastfeeding should be fun for both you and your baby. Choose a quiet place in the house. Believe that even in a small apartment you can allocate a corner for yourself.

Put a chair with a back or an armchair there, or even better a rocking chair. Prepare a few small pillows (they used to be called "dumochki"), a footstool.

All these "simplicity" will help you deftly hold the baby at the chest and at the same time not strain your back and arms.

When feeding a child, do not hunch your back, otherwise, you will quickly get tired, and feeding will turn into an unpleasant burden for you, which you will want to get rid of as soon as possible.

Place a table next to the chair. During feeding, you will definitely want to drink, you can put a glass of water and a plate of crackers on the table.

Relax, so the milk will be easier for the baby to flow. You can imagine yourself as a cat. After all, she has a whole basket of kids and can you imagine, they all suck at the same time, but she does not strain at all. Blissfully squints and purrs softly.

How to properly feed a newborn?

Well, we have created an emotionally comfortable environment, we have adjusted ourselves, and now we can talk about how to feed a newborn

wash your hands with soap;
express some milk and wipe the nipple with it to remove germs;
take the baby and press it against you so that the nipple is directed to his mouth;
in order for the baby to capture the breast well, it is necessary to feed it correctly - your fingers should be located outside the areola. The index finger supports the chest from below, about 5-6 centimeters from the nipple, the ring and little fingers are pressed against the chest. Thumb located a little closer to the nipple and lies freely on top of the chest;
at the moment when the baby opens its mouth wide, insert the nipple, when it touches the child's palate, the baby will begin to suck;
make sure that the baby captures not only the nipple, but also the areola, otherwise he will swallow air;
the baby's mouth is wide open, the nose and chin should touch the chest, the lower lip will be turned outward, and the cheeks will be puffed out, and you will hear how the baby swallows the milk. These are all signs that the matter has gone;
when the baby is full, he will release the nipple;
Squeeze out a little milk, gently lubricate the areola and nipple with it, and wait until it dries. Milk contains special substances that help heal cracks and prevent inflammation;
hold the baby in a “column” so that he burps air;
after feeding, lay the newborn on the side, put a rolled-up diaper under the back.

How much to feed a newborn?

The duration of feeding for each baby is different. Some babies feel full faster, while others spend more time at their mother's breasts. Some babies have enough milk from one breast, while others need to be applied to the second. The child should be at the mother's breast until it is satiated and releases the breast itself.

The duration of one feeding can vary from 10 to 40 minutes. However, if the baby falls asleep on the chest, you need to wake him up, as he must actively suck on his mother's breast and receive food.

The main task of a newborn is to get the most valuable and nutritious so-called. back milk containing a large number of fats and proteins. So do not rush to take the breast from the baby, even if it seems to you that he is full.

Dear mothers, we think that you will not be disturbed by information about how to feed a newborn baby. Perhaps you have learned something new and useful for yourself. But strictly follow all the recommendations is not worth it.

Better listen to your baby, or rather, learn to understand him in sign language, because only with the help of gestures and an invisible connection between you, he can tell you something. You will definitely succeed.

Photo and video: How to feed a newborn baby?