How much should a newborn eat? How to determine a sufficient level of milk during the first weeks of a baby’s life? How often should he be fed and for how long? What signs indicate that there is not enough milk? Breastfeeding experts talk about the peculiarities of feeding norms and rules.
The question of the rationing of infant nutrition arises due to the lack of means of measuring it. How can you tell if there is a lot of milk in your breasts? And how much did the child master in one application? When bottle feeding, these parameters are easy to control, but there are no marks on the chest. Breastfeeding experts advise new mothers not to worry about how much their newborn eats. While the baby is healthy and gaining weight well, any rationing of his diet can only be very conditional.
Features of the first meal
At the moment the baby is born, the mother already has the first food for him in her chest. This is a valuable colostrum, rich in immune factors and protein. The baby should receive it as early as possible, which is why the World Health Organization insists on putting the baby to the mother's breast immediately after birth.
At the same time, the amount of colostrum in the breast, according to the mother, is very small. In the first hours, its volume per feeding can be only 1.5 grams. During the first or second day, the volume increases slightly, up to 30 grams per baby’s nutrition. And this amount is considered the norm for feeding a newborn.
After the arrival of full milk, which happens 3-5 days after the baby is born, the volume of his food increases. The amount of breast milk per day reaches just over 500 milliliters. The baby can eat such a volume only in a few meals, because his stomach is extremely small. Therefore, in the first days it may seem that the baby is constantly “hanging” on the mother’s chest.
This situation is typical and allows you to answer basic questions about the norms of feeding newborns.
- How much milk should a newborn eat? As much as he wants. The baby can kiss his mother for a drink; this will take him no more than five minutes. Or maybe for a full “lunch,” which may take from half an hour to fifty minutes. Pediatricians consider each option to be the norm.
- How often to feed a newborn? As often as he needs. In the first days of life, it is physiologically necessary for a child to feel his mother nearby as often as possible. And the process of breastfeeding is not only nutrition, but also communication with the outside world, an opportunity to calm down and warm up. The number of feedings can be 8-12 per day, but sometimes babies want to be under their mother’s breast more often, and this is also normal. Breastfeeding experts insist that routine feeding techniques are unacceptable for children in the first days of life. In about a month, the baby will come to its own, individual feeding regimen, and their number will decrease.
- Why did the baby begin to ask for the breast more often? This occurs during periods of so-called “growth spurts.” In babies they occur between three and six weeks of age. At this time, the body is especially in dire need of food, because the intensity of development of the skeleton and tissues increases. If your baby asks to eat more often, listen to him and don’t refuse.
- Why does the baby sleep for a long time and not ask for food? The amount of milk for a newborn is determined by his physiological needs and temperament. Active babies quickly eat up and sleep little; calmer ones, on the contrary, sleep longer. The first weeks are characterized by feeding according to a “crowded” schedule: the baby sets aside periods when he is latched to the breast more often, and at other times he rests. Usually such periods occur in the evening; at night the baby can sleep up to 5 hours. It is considered normal if he wakes up at least once a night. Also, feeding less than 8 times a day is considered the norm, but when good set weight.
How to determine the norm
Pediatricians note that the nutritional norm for infants is determined by the baby himself. But the mother should closely monitor the development of the baby. The intensity of weight gain and growth of the baby, his general condition and the characteristics of urination and bowel movements will tell you that he is getting enough food.
Weight gain and height
Immediately after birth, a “metamorphosis” occurs with the child. He is born slightly “puffy”, with a puffy face. That’s right, his tissues have accumulated water during intrauterine life, and the body should get rid of this water. It also gets rid of the primary stool in the intestines - black or black-green meconium, which looks like tar.
Primary cleansing processes are triggered by colostrum. Within 4 days the baby loses weight. His weight decreases by 7-10%, which is allowed by pediatricians. From the final “point” of weight loss, weight gain is then calculated.
In order to accurately control how much breast milk to feed a newborn and whether he receives enough food, it is important to remember the baby’s weight not at birth, but after the first “weight loss.”
The dynamics of weight gain also vary from person to person. Moreover, just recently new standards were adopted by the World Health Organization.
- 10-14 days. During this time, the child should regain the weight recorded at birth. This means he is getting enough food.
- 115-245 grams per week. This is how much weight a baby should gain in the first 2 months of life. Previously, a weight gain of 170-200 grams was considered acceptable, but observations by pediatricians have shown that less and more weight gain is acceptable, which does not negatively affect general condition baby.
- 2.5 cm. This is what a baby's growth should be like. This parameter is fixed at birth and should only increase monthly.
General condition of the baby
The sufficiency of milk consumption is determined by the appearance and behavior of the baby. When the baby is healthy, he looks cheerful, screams loudly and intensely, and cries. Its skin is elastic and soft, and when pressed it instantly returns to shape. The eyes look a little wet, and inner surface mouth - pink, shiny. This condition indicates that the baby is receiving sufficient water and food from breastfeeding.
Urination, defecation
How much a newborn should eat can be determined by his stool. According to pediatricians, this is the main criterion for assessing the norm, which can be used long before the first weighing. It is also important to control how many times a day the child pees. It is not necessary to look into the diaper regularly; it is enough to change them when they are full and count the amount used.
- 2 diapers per day. The norm for the first days of a baby's life. After birth, he pees little, as he receives practically no fluid from colostrum. He doesn’t need it, so he shouldn’t give the baby enough to drink. During this period, the body gets rid of meconium, which is almost completely gone on the third day. And the baby's stool becomes yellowish-brown in color.
- 6-10 diapers per day. This number of “panties” should be used by a baby with fourth day life. It starts to get more liquid breast milk, so he pees more often. The norm for bowel movements is 3-4 bowel movements per day, but pooping after each feeding is also considered normal. Therefore, diapers have to be changed much more often.
- 5-6 diapers per day. From about the tenth day of life, work digestive system the baby becomes clearer, which affects the number of bowel movements. The baby may continue to poop after every meal or will begin to do so less frequently, but at least three times a day.
Signs of low milk supply
Experts from the international breastfeeding organization La Leche League argue that the norm for feeding a newborn is purely individual. And if weight gain and growth occur within acceptable limits, the baby pees often enough and poops several times a day, there is no need to worry about the amount of food he eats.
The following factors should be cause for concern.
- Reducing the number of soiled diapers. If your baby poops less than twice a day and wets less than 5 diapers, you should inform your pediatrician. Your breast milk may not be enough.
- Increased sleep duration. For babies in the first days of life, it is normal to “hang” on their mother 24 hours a day. Then how long and frequent sleep may indicate a deterioration in physical condition.
- No sucking. The baby may be under the breast, but instead of sucking, he falls asleep, and you do not hear him swallow milk. This situation It is also dangerous if the baby does not receive enough nutrition.
- Continued weight loss. This process stops after the arrival of full milk, that is, the baby is allowed to lose weight no more than the first 3-5 days of life. If weight gain does not occur, and even more so if weight loss continues, you should definitely contact your pediatrician.
The doctor analyzes not only the above factors, but also others. You can determine if your child is getting enough food by looking at the general condition of the baby, appearance skin and mucous membranes, elasticity of the fontanel, an increase or, conversely, a decrease in head circumference.
The solution to the problem of underweight is supplementation. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, it should be carried out preferably with breast milk - from the mother or from a donor. Milk should be expressed and your baby should be fed with a spoon rather than a bottle.
If it is impossible to supplement with breast milk, a woman is recommended to supplement with formula.
Rules for introducing the mixture
- Supplement after main feeding. The main food for a baby is breast milk, while the value of the formula is secondary.
- Spoon feed. By offering your baby formula from a bottle, you greatly simplify his task of “getting food.” Drinking formula from a bottle is easier than sucking breast milk. This creates a risk that the baby will completely refuse the breast.
- Work on increasing your lactation. Frequently putting the baby to the breast will help, as the best incentive to increase milk volume. Nature has created this mechanism as self-regulating. How bigger baby drinks, the more milk comes. The process occurs especially intensively at night, so it is extremely important to maintain night feedings.
- Remove supplementary feeding as soon as you see a sufficient volume of your own milk. The highest quality formula will not replace the enormous benefits of breast milk for a newborn. If there is no need for supplementary feeding, return to natural feeding.
According to lactation consultants, too much attention is paid to the problem of milk supply for a newborn. Young mothers are worried about the lack of food for the baby in their breasts and are nervous. Because of this, milk actually becomes less, and the baby cries more often and becomes restless.
A healthy appearance of the baby and normal weight gain indicate that everything is fine with your milk. Its quantity is exactly what the child needs for full development. And the baby determines this amount himself while eating, so you should not limit the amount and time of feeding the baby to the breast in the first days of life.
Breastfeeding mothers are always worried about how much breast milk they should eat during one feeding and whether it is nutritious enough. A cause for concern may also be ignorance of how a baby should eat properly according to his age. Obviously, if a newborn eats only mother's milk m, it is almost impossible to measure how much he should eat at one time.
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However, breastfeeding mothers who collect milk report that their newborns eat less breast milk than artificial feeding. Although, if a woman knows the basics of breastfeeding, then it will not be difficult for her to determine the required amount of milk consumed per feeding.
How much should a newborn eat?
Table
How much should a newborn eat in the first month?
During the first few days of postnatal life, the newborn should consume very little breast milk. However, as he grows, his need for milk also increases; from 30 grams on the first postpartum day to 300 daily in the second and third weeks.
How much should a baby eat from 1 to 6 months?
A newborn should eat about 700 grams of breast milk per day at the end of the first month, and this amount continues throughout the first six months of the infant’s life. Doctors suggest that the amount of milk consumed during the first period does not affect weight gain or.
How much a newborn should eat is a concern mainly for mothers whose babies are bottle-fed, but Amurochka will tell you in detail about the volumes of breast milk and formula sucked by the baby, as well as how much water should be given and under what circumstances.
How much does a breastfed newborn eat?
The volume of the ventricle of a newborn baby is only 7 ml, so the first 2-3 days of life with breastfeeding A few drops of colostrum per feeding are enough for him to fill up. The main thing is to provide the baby with unhindered access to the breast so that he can latch on whenever he wants. There is no need to worry that your baby will overeat breast milk: newborns themselves feel how much to suck.
Newborns up to 3 months, or even up to 6 months, who are breastfed, may not need additional supplementary water at all, since 1/3 of the milk drunk during one feeding is a nutrient substance, and 2/3 is a liquid that replaces water. . But regularly offer a few drops of boiled, cooled to room temperature A teaspoon of water is a must. If the room is not hot and the child is not overly bundled up, then most likely he will refuse water, but your task is to offer it often.
A few important things about how much a newborn breastfed baby should eat:
- Do not try to check the volume of milk consumed from the breast by pumping out with a suction: nothing may be sucked out or less than that what is really there. Main criterion The fact that the baby had enough and he was full is his calm behavior.
- Offer breasts on demand, indefinitely, including at night.
- Do not refuse to feed your baby, because a growing baby’s need for milk may increase daily.
- Try to encourage your baby to suck the hindmilk from the distant ducts of the breast. It begins to reach the baby only after 15 minutes of sucking.
- At 3 months of the baby’s life, the breasts adjust to the milk production mode according to the baby’s needs. The baby can get a lot of milk at a time and quickly, so the mother may notice that he has finished sucking sooner than usual, but there is no need to worry that he is not full: at this stage and beyond, the amount of milk in the breast = the baby's needs.
- Lactation crises associated with a clear decrease in milk in the breast are resolved by regular breastfeeding.
How much does a bottle-fed newborn eat?
If the baby is applied to the breast “on demand”, then with willow (artificial feeding) it is important to observe a break of 2.5-3 hours between feedings, otherwise the mixture will not have time to be digested, because it takes much longer to digest than breast milk.
Manufacturers of formulas often indicate “norms” for how much a newborn should eat at a time and during the day. But in many ways, the numbers on the jars are dictated by commercial considerations (they’ll eat it faster, they’ll buy it faster new jar), and among the consequences of regurgitation and excessive increase weight. Therefore, pediatricians recommend calculating necessary for the baby volume based on exact weight and age.
To ensure that the child does not remain hungry, but also does not overeat, it is important to give him a volume of formula that corresponds to his age and weight.
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The formula will help you more accurately determine the volume of the formula in your specific case for a newly born baby:
- If the child weighs less than 3200 grams, then N*70=X, where N is the child’s age in days, and X is the amount of milk consumed per day (note: per day, not per feeding!)
- If the child weighs more than 3200 grams, then N*80=X.
From the age of 2 months, the baby drinks approximately 800 ml of the mixture per day, and then with each new month 40-50 ml is added to this volume. That is, by the year, about 1100 - 1200 ml of the mixture per day.
A bottle-fed baby must drink water, no matter whether he is 3 days old or 3 months old. In this regard, willow is radically different from Guards. Therefore, constantly offer him a bottle of boiled water, cooled to room temperature. The amount of water you drink is according to your needs. The child himself will determine when to stop and stop drinking.
How to tell if your newborn is eating
All children, even a few days old, are different. Their needs are different, so there are no clear criteria for how much a newborn should eat: babies may eat different amounts of milk/formula, but gain weight and develop normally.
You can determine that a newborn is eating enough and has enough nutrition by the following signs:
- After feeding, the child soon falls asleep, or calmly looks around, does not worry, does not cry, does not fiddle with or ask for the pacifier.
- Weight gain should be about 150-200 grams per week.
- The baby wets at least 8 - 10 diapers per day.
On average, children on IV are fed 8 times a day, on guards - 10-12. If a child eats much less, it makes sense to show him to the pediatrician to rule out a cold or virus, despite the fact that the portion may normally vary from feeding to feeding.
In the first year of life, babies grow and develop very quickly, so their need for nutrients is much higher than in any other period. In infants, all digestive and excretory organs are underdeveloped. The stomach is adapted to digest liquid food, and the excretory organs have not yet acquired the ability to remove excess nutrients from the body. In this regard, the nutrition of babies in the first year of life should be as balanced as possible, especially since its importance lies not only in ensuring normal life organism of the baby: with inadequate nutrition, a child of the first year of life may lag behind not only physically, but also in intellectual development. Nutrient deficiency also affects the baby’s general condition: due to weakened immunity, he begins to get sick often and seriously.
The health of a breastfed baby largely depends on how well his mother eats, because everything she eats and drinks goes to her baby along with the milk. In this regard, from the first weeks of pregnancy until the end of the breastfeeding period, all essential substances must be present in the diet of a nursing woman in sufficient quantities. nutrients(proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements). If a child is bottle-fed, his health primarily depends on the right choice milk formula and nutritional regimen. In addition, it is very important for growing babies to properly introduce complementary foods, that is, those foods that will help them make a smooth transition to adult food. We will consider all these and some other issues regarding the nutrition of children under one year of age in this chapter.
BREAST-FEEDING
Mother's milk is the most best product nutrition for a baby up to one year of age. It contains everything a child needs for proper and harmonious development. Breast milk contains the following components:
● essential amino acids, promoting normal growth, proper development brain and vision;
● easily digestible protein;
● fats that are completely processed by the baby’s body, helping the development of the nervous system and the development of its own immunity;
● carbohydrates that promote better absorption minerals and ensuring normal functioning digestive tract(in particular the growth of beneficial microorganisms);
● vitamins, minerals and other components involved in the formation of muscle tissue, bones and teeth, actively protecting the baby from stress, infections and other troubles.
The main carbohydrate in human milk is lactose, which contains galactose. This substance is necessary for the construction of cellular receptors - a process that actively occurs in the first months of a baby’s life. A child feeding on mother's milk is not afraid of intestinal infections, since it contains substances that protect the baby from various diseases and strengthening his immunity.
Breast milk also contains special enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of protein, fat and carbohydrates. In terms of the content of vitamins such as A, E and D, individual minerals and microelements, breast milk is significantly superior to cow's milk, especially considering the fact that all useful substances are found in it in an accessible and easily digestible form.
In addition, the milk is at the right temperature, it is sterile and goes straight from the breast into the baby's mouth. The baby sucks as much milk as he needs, independently setting his own individual norm. With artificial feeding, he does not have this opportunity, so it turns out that at each feeding a norm is imposed on him, which may not meet his needs. A well-fed child will not suck his thumb, and some children even refuse a pacifier.
The process of breastfeeding itself plays a special role, during which an incomparable deep unity of mother and child arises. Psychologists note that a child who is fed mother's milk until a certain age grows up to be more friendly and balanced.
Can every woman breastfeed? At the very least, every mother should strive for this. And this is due not only to the fact that breast milk is the best food for the baby: the feeding process has a positive effect on the health of the mother herself. When a woman refuses to breastfeed, the natural hormonal balance is disrupted, and this delays the restoration of her strength after childbirth.
Remember that breastfeeding is contraindicated only in such cases. serious illnesses, such as an open form of tuberculosis, oncological disorders, heart disease in the stage of decompensation, severe renal and liver failure, epilepsy, AIDS, etc. In acute infectious diseases mother (flu, sore throat, acute respiratory infection) does not need to cancel feeding. All she needs to do is put a mask made of several layers of gauze on her face and wash her hands before picking up the baby. For severe infections such as diphtheria and scarlet fever, the baby is allowed to be fed expressed pasteurized milk. And renew breastfeeding possible only after the mother has fully recovered. The father and other relatives must care for the child during her illness.
According to modern ideas, it is necessary to put the baby to the mother’s breast as early as possible, and not as it was before: the baby was brought to the mother only 12, or even 24 hours after birth. The essence of early breastfeeding is that immediately after birth (within the first 30 minutes) the baby is placed on the mother’s stomach, helped to find the breast and take the nipple. Even a few drops of milk that he receives in these minutes will bring him tangible benefits. Skin-to-skin contact is no less important for the baby: he feels the mother’s warmth, the beating of her heart, and thanks to this, he quickly overcomes the consequences of the stress he experienced during childbirth.
Immediately after birth, in many maternity hospitals the child is placed in the same room with the mother, which brings undoubted benefit to both of them. At the same time, the woman’s milk production improves faster, and the baby behaves more calmly and loses less weight. In addition, when mother and child stay together, the risk of developing an infection is minimized. The baby comes into contact only with those microbes that are present in the mother’s body. They are, as a rule, non-pathogenic, and besides, mother’s milk contains all necessary substances, helping to neutralize their effects.
What should be the timing of breastfeeding? Up to 6 months, a child must receive breast milk, but this does not mean that once complementary foods are introduced, he can be completely weaned from the breast. Feeding should be continued until 12–14 months. Typically, at this age, many children refuse breastfeeding on their own. If this does not happen, the feeding period can be extended to 2–3 years, provided that the child receives other food adequate for his age. If you still decide to wean your baby earlier than the specified time, do it gradually and unobtrusively so that this process does not become stressful for the child.
COMPOSITION AND QUANTITY OF BREAST MILK NEEDED BY A CHILD
The composition of breast milk is primarily related to the timing of lactation. In the first 2–3 days after birth, the mother produces colostrum, which has high nutritional value. The protein content in it reaches 7% (on average about 4%), and there is little fat (on average 1.7%), which corresponds to the weak digestive capabilities of a newborn. Colostrum is characterized by a high content of minerals and protective factors, including immunoglobulin A, which protects the baby’s intestines from infections. In addition, it is considered a factor that ensures the first vaccination (the so-called warm) immunization of the child (as opposed to the “cold” injection). That is why in Lately widely practiced early application newborns to the breast.
4–5 days after birth, the mother begins to produce transition milk with less protein and minerals, but higher fat content. At the same time, there is an increase in the amount of milk produced, which corresponds to the child’s ability to absorb large volumes of food.
Gradually, the composition of milk stabilizes: in the 2-3rd week after birth, mature milk begins to be produced, which on average contains 1.2% protein, 3.5% fat and 6.5% carbohydrates. However, even during this period, its composition may change depending on the diet and diet of the mother.
There is no need to worry if you produce very little milk after giving birth. On the 1st day after birth, the baby sucks out only 50–70 ml, on the 2nd day – 120–140 ml, and then every day 70 ml more. A one-week-old newborn already sucks about 500 ml of milk per day. As your baby's nutritional needs increase, the amount of milk produced will necessarily increase. A 1-month-old baby consumes 90-100 ml of milk per feeding, and about 600 ml per 1 day. A baby aged 4–5 months sucks about 1 liter of milk per day. Do not forget that the given data are averages, and the appetites and needs of all children are different. In addition, at 1 feeding the baby can suck a little more than normal, in another - a little less. In any case, during the day he will consume as much milk as he needs.
How can you tell if your baby has enough milk? First of all, this can be determined by his behavior. If after the next feeding he lets go of the breast, a satisfied expression or even some semblance of a smile appears on his face, and he sleeps long enough before the next feeding, then he has enough milk. It is not necessary to weigh such a baby every time before and after feeding. This will only cause him unnecessary anxiety.
Objective indicators normal development baby and the sufficient amount of breast milk he receives, in addition to good sleep, are uniform and corresponding age standards increase in height, body weight, chest and head circumference, good skin condition (it is clean, soft pink, velvety and good turgor, that is, the child is dense) and high resistance to infections. In addition, when receiving a sufficient amount of milk, the child urinates at least 6 times a day, his stool has a uniform soft consistency, without unpleasant odor, and the frequency of bowel movements ranges from 1 to 6–8 times a day.
Alarm signal Your baby should be constantly worried. If he often wakes up and asks for food, and you doubt his weight gain, contact your pediatrician, who will check check weighing before and after feeding in the same dry diapers, or weigh the baby yourself during the day before and after each feeding. The difference in weight will show how much food your baby ate each time, and adding them all up will tell you how much milk your baby consumed throughout the day.
However, even if the weighing results are unsatisfactory, do not rush to panic and run to the store for formula milk. There is such a thing as a lactation crisis, which, when correct behavior woman and her desire to continue breastfeeding passes over time.
As practice shows, its duration is no more than 3–4 days. The causes of the crisis still remain a mystery. It is possible that a temporary decrease in the amount of milk produced is due to changes in the mother hormonal levels.
Most often, the crisis occurs 3–6 weeks after the birth of the child and can recur at 3, 4 and 7 months. This manifests itself differently in each woman: one does not feel a decrease in lactation at all, in others crises can last up to 1 month.
If you find that your milk production has decreased, try to start by being critical of your own daily routine. You may be very tired, sleep little, or constantly nervous. Try to get more rest, put your baby to your breast more often, and after each feeding, express the milk to the last drop to stimulate its production. In addition, try to psychologically prepare yourself for the fact that you have milk, and do not panic under any circumstances. All of the above measures often bring good results, and then milk production is restored without any additional measures. If this does not happen, try resorting to herbal medicine, of course, after consulting with your doctor.
Herbal tea. Take 1 tablespoon each of lemon balm, nettle and oregano and mix well. Place 1 tablespoon of the resulting mixture in a thermos, pour 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 2-3 hours. Ready Herb tea drink 0.5 glasses 2 times a day.
Nut milk. Grind 100 g kernels walnuts and mix them with 25 g of sugar to obtain a mass of dough-like consistency. Pour 500 ml of boiled milk into it, mix thoroughly and leave for 2 hours. Take 0.3 cups 20 minutes before feeding your baby. This remedy will not only increase lactation, but also significantly improve the quality of breast milk.
But do not forget that nuts can cause an allergic reaction in a child, so drink very little at first nut milk and watch him carefully. If he does not develop a rash, feel free to continue treatment.
Cumin seed decoction. Pour 10 g of cumin seeds into 500 ml of water and cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Strain the resulting broth, add 50 g of sugar and the juice of 1 medium-sized lime. Take the prepared drink 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day.
Infusion of dill seeds. Pour 1 tablespoon of dried dill seeds into 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours in a thermos, then strain. Drink the drink 1-2 tablespoons 3-6 times a day.
In addition to herbal medicine, try physical exercise on fresh air. While walking, bend and turn for at least 10 minutes. Physiotherapeutic procedures will also help to overcome the lactation crisis: ultraviolet radiation on the mammary glands, massage in the area of the shoulder blades and acupuncture (only as prescribed by a doctor).
FEEDING MODE
Young parents often find it difficult to decide how to feed their child: sticking to strict regime or listening to his wishes. In the first half of the 20th century infants It was recommended to keep him on a very strict diet. At that time, there was no clear understanding of the causes of gastrointestinal diseases in newborns. Doctors believed that the cause of these infections was not only milk contamination, but also irregularities in the quantity and time of food intake, as well as incorrect proportions.
Most children quickly got used to the strict diet. By receiving enough mother's milk or formula, they could not feel hungry for 3-4 hours. During this time, the child’s stomach has time to digest food. But there were also babies who found it very difficult to adapt to a strict regime (especially in the first 1–2 months after birth). The stomach of such children could not accommodate the amount of milk sufficient for a 4-hour break. Others sucked sluggishly and, not having had time to eat their fill, fell asleep, others were restless, and still others often had stomach pains. Every day, such babies tormented their mothers with heart-rending crying, but they steadfastly withstood the prescribed break between feedings, because the doctors demanded this of them. Thus, maintaining a strict feeding regime became a cruel test for the child, and it was not easy for the parents either.
Over time, serious gastric diseases have virtually disappeared, largely due to the pasteurization of milk and the availability of clean water. However, it took a long time before doctors recognized the advisability of flexible diets. The established prejudice was destroyed only when they received positive results experiments performed. Their task was to find out what regimen a breastfed baby would set for himself if he was fed on demand.
In the first few days, the baby did not wake up too often. Then, as the mother's milk supply increased, he began to wake up very often - about 10 times in the second half of the 1st week. At the age of 2 weeks, the baby switched to 6-7 meals a day. At the same time, the intervals between feedings were irregular. By 10 weeks, a feeding schedule with breaks of 3–4 hours was established. This regimen is called “feeding on demand.”
After the results of the experiment were published, many parents decided to establish a free feeding regime for their babies. Thus, the average length of time between meals for an infant during the first 2 weeks of life can range from 1.5 to 3 hours. It may take several weeks for your diet to become established. Night feeding should not be canceled either. Over time, the intervals between the last evening and night feedings will begin to increase, and then the moment will come when the baby will be able to sleep until the morning.
If you're free-feeding your baby, don't rush to breastfeed him every time you hear him cry. It is very important to learn how to determine whether your baby is really hungry or whether his anxiety is caused by other reasons. When a baby wants to eat, he turns his head in search of the mother's breast, smacks his lips, sniffles displeasedly, and also cries loudly and persistently.
Typically, with free feeding, a newborn receives breastfeeding up to 10–12 times a day. This frequent feeding promotes better development of lactation. Subsequently, as the child grows, he usually develops his own feeding regimen - from 6 to 8 times a day and, as a rule, without a night break. Night feedings are very important for stimulating lactation, since the production of prolactin, a hormone that promotes milk secretion, occurs mainly at night and during nap. With this diet, the baby is characterized by calm behavior and sleeps soundly, and in moments of wakefulness he has good mood. The baby gains weight well, the mother produces more milk, and the ability to secrete it remains for a longer time.
HOW TO BREASTFEED PROPERLY
Along with correct organized regime successful and long-term lactation requires adherence to certain breastfeeding techniques, which include 4 necessary conditions: correct position baby at the breast, correct breast latch, comfortable position mothers and skin-to-skin contact during feeding.
When feeding, the baby's head and body should be in the same plane. Hold your baby with his head slightly elevated and his chin touching your chest. The baby should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola with his mouth. In this case, the nipple and areola should fill the entire oral cavity of the child, so it is very important that he opens his mouth wide. If your baby is unable to latch onto the nipple correctly, help him by stroking his cheek with your finger or nipple. This will cause a reflexive movement of the lips and opening of the mouth.
Correct latching of the breast not only ensures sufficient ease of sucking, but also prevents cracks in the nipple and areola of a nursing woman. Usually, if the baby only grasps the nipple, the mother experiences unpleasant and even painful sensations. They cannot be ignored: if feeding errors are not corrected immediately, the appearance of a crack cannot be avoided.
If this does happen, try feeding your baby through special pads made of silicone. After each feeding, lubricate the nipple with a solution of retinol acetate (vitamin A) in oil, sea buckthorn or rosehip oil. Just remember to wash your breasts before each next feeding. If the crack does not heal in 2–7 days, your doctor may advise you not to put your baby on the sore breast for at least 1–3 days. If he does not have enough milk from a healthy breast, you can supplement him with milk expressed from a sore breast, giving it from a spoon. When the crack in the nipple heals, you can begin to put the baby on the sore breast, but at first it should be used only as a supplement to the healthy one.
Very important point To prevent the occurrence of cracked nipples, the technique of “taking away” the nipple from the child is used. Under no circumstances should you pull it sharply. Firstly, the child may wake up and express his dissatisfaction by crying, and secondly, with a sudden movement the nipple is easily injured. Wait until the baby releases the nipple on his own. If he is not going to do this, you can gently press on the nipple next to the baby’s mouth, insert your little finger into the mouth, or briefly gently squeeze his nose.
Feed your baby in a calm environment. Before picking him up, turn off the TV and phone, explain to your family that during feeding you should not be distracted, or make noise or talk loudly. The mother's position while feeding the baby should be as comfortable as possible so as not to create muscle tension not in any muscle group. Choose a specific place for this and feed only in this chair or chair. For comfort, use armrests and pillows that can be placed under your back and the arm on which you hold your baby. The baby's head should rest on the elbow of your arm on the breast side used for feeding. Use the same hand to support the baby's back. The baby can also be placed on a pillow so that his mouth is at nipple level. If necessary, you can support your chest with your free hand by placing it on top. thumb hands, and below - everyone else, but not too close to the nipple. It is best to place your feet on a small bench.
In the first days after childbirth, especially if the birth canal was injured, doctors recommend feeding the baby while lying on its side. To do this, bend your lower arm at the elbow and place a pillow under it (or between your arm and head). You can also place another pillow under your back. Place the baby on the side so that his mouth is level with the nipple. Use the palm of your upper hand to support his back and help him grasp the nipple. You can also place your baby on bottom hand.
Hold him so that you can clearly see his face, and he can look at you, studying your eye expression and facial expressions. To ensure close skin-to-skin contact, it is best not to swaddle your baby before feeding. Leave his arms and legs free by putting him in a baby vest, diaper, and blanket so he can explore your breasts. With such close contact, not only is attachment formed, but additional hormonal stimulation of milk production occurs. This is especially important in the first days and weeks after the birth of the baby, as well as in case of lactation crisis.
Give your baby only one breast at each feeding. If you feel like you don't have enough milk and your baby isn't getting enough to eat, don't rush to give him both breasts at one feeding. Check with your doctor first. He will conduct a control weighing and determine whether your concerns are justified.
When feeding, do not forget that the baby must not only fill his stomach, but also satisfy sucking reflex. It is known that sucking stimulates the process of inhibition in the central nervous system, and therefore, after sucking a breast or pacifier, children calm down and fall asleep. However, you should not hold your baby at your breast for more than 20–30 minutes. Babies can suck in different ways: some do it very actively, getting full in 5-10 minutes, while others fall asleep during feeding, wake up again, and this can continue indefinitely. However, do not forget that if you feed for too long, the nipple may be injured. If the child falls asleep, try gently patting him on the cheek, try to remove the nipple, etc. This way he will be satiated faster and fall asleep.
After finishing feeding, hold the baby upright so that the air he swallowed during sucking can escape. This is determined by loud belching. The baby may spit up a small amount of milk along with air, which is quite normal and should not cause you much concern. You can also place him tummy-on on your stomach. If these measures are not taken, the remaining air in the stomach may cause vomiting or colic.
Each woman decides for herself individually about the need to pump. Sometimes it is enough to resort to this only during the period of lactation or if for some reason the baby is not able to completely empty the breast. Some mothers have so much milk that the baby becomes full after emptying the breast only halfway. Here you cannot do without pumping, otherwise milk stagnation (lactostasis) may occur, which will lead to breast inflammation. In addition to an increase in body temperature, in this case there appear severe pain in the chest, and at the same time you have to continue to feed the baby in order to maintain lactation. Expressing milk can be done manually or using a special breast pump, which should be purchased in advance at the pharmacy.
NURSING MOTHER'S DIET
With every liter of breast milk, a nursing woman loses from 600 to 900 kcal, so her energy value is daily ration should be at least 3200–3500 kcal and contain 100–120 g of proteins (of which about 60% are animals), 110–120 g of fats (of which about 65% are animals) and 500–520 g of carbohydrates. To do this, a nursing woman should receive daily:
● 120 g lean meat;
● 100 g of lean fish;
● 170 g of cottage cheese;
● 250 ml milk;
● 200 ml of kefir, fermented baked milk or acidophilus milk;
● 30 g butter;
● 35 ml vegetable oil;
● 50 g sour cream;
● 50 g sugar;
● 100 g each of rye and wheat bread;
● up to 150 g of flour products (buns, cookies, etc.);
● up to 60 g of cereals and pasta.
The diet of a nursing woman should not only be complete, but also varied. If the diet is monotonous, this will affect the composition of breast milk, from which the child will not receive enough nutrients necessary for him, while others will enter his body in excess, which can affect the physical and neuropsychic development of the baby.
The freshest ingredients and freshly prepared meals must be used. It is advisable to replace sucrose with glucose or fructose; confectionery products can also be prepared on their basis.
IN daily diet A nursing woman should include 650–700 g of vegetables, the set of which can be very different and depend only on the season. The amount of potatoes in the diet should be no more than 200 g. The main share should be vegetables such as carrots, beets, cabbage, radishes, turnips, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants and sweet peppers. They contain everything essential vitamins And
Some vegetables are useful to eat raw in salads and vinaigrettes, with the exception of onions, green onions and garlic, as they can give breast milk a specific flavor. There is no need to completely exclude onions from your diet, but they should be heat treated before use.
A nursing mother needs to eat more greens, because they contain many vitamins and microelements. Sorrel, spinach, parsley, dill and celery can be added to salads or used as seasonings for various dishes.
Important place occupy in the diet of a nursing mother fresh fruits and berries containing vitamins and fiber, which normalizes intestinal activity. Every day you need to eat 200 g of them, and some of the fresh products can be replaced with juices. In the winter-spring period, instead of fresh fruits and berries, it is useful to eat dried fruits and various canned foods (jams, compotes).
Strong tea, coffee and spices (mustard, pepper, vinegar) should be completely avoided, as they adversely affect the taste and quality of milk. It should also be remembered that any alcoholic drinks and medications used without consulting a doctor may cause irreparable harm health of the baby, so they must be abandoned until the end of the lactation period. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, mothers are not recommended to include canned food in their diet, as they may contain toxic preservatives, which enter her blood within 20 minutes and end up in breast milk after 1 hour. The exception is those canned foods whose labels include the words “For baby food” or “No preservatives guaranteed.”
A nursing mother should eat 5-6 times a day: at 8–9 o’clock – 1st breakfast, at 11–12 o’clock – 2nd breakfast, at 14–15 o’clock – lunch, at 19–20 o’clock – dinner, at 21 hours – 1 glass of kefir, yogurt or juice or fresh fruit. Products during the day must be distributed in such a way that those that are rich in protein (meat, fish, cereals, buckwheat is especially useful) are used in the 1st half of the day, and in the 2nd half of the day it is best to follow the dairy-vegetable diet. diet.
If there is not enough breast milk produced, it is necessary to additionally include foods rich in proteins, fats and vitamins in the diet:
● Dutch cheese (50 g 2 times a day);
● sour cream (50 g 2 times a day);
● brewer's yeast diluted in water (60 ml 2 times a day);
● blackcurrant juice – 60 ml;
● honey (50 g 2 times a day), if the child does not have a tendency to allergic reactions.
During the first month of life, the baby is practically inactive. He can only move his legs and arms a little. But this is quite enough for a small person. All the nutrients that he receives from formula or mother’s milk go towards growth and physical development. It won't be long before the new family member begins to hold a spoon on his own and show his food preferences. Until six months, the baby’s menu is not very diverse.
Breastfeeding or formula?
If you have a choice between feeding your baby formula or breast milk, it is, of course, better to go with the second option. Unfortunately, recently many young mothers do not want to enjoy the lactation period. They switch their babies to formula immediately after discharge from the hospital. This action is motivated by the fact that breastfeeding spoils the shape of the mammary glands. This is not entirely true. Baby food at 1 month it has no effect on a woman’s breasts at all. The mammary glands take on a different shape during pregnancy
Considered ideal for a child. Experts say that every woman produces food for the baby that has unique properties and composition. And it doesn’t matter at all how much the child eats. 1 month of feeding with breast milk allows you to charge your baby with strength for the rest of his life.
If for a number of reasons a woman cannot continue breastfeeding, there is no need to be upset. Today there are many formulas on sale that can replace breast milk. But preference should be given only to an expensive, high-quality product.
The baby is constantly hungry
Many mothers complain that the baby constantly cries during the first month of life. The only thing that can bring peace of mind is mother's breast or a bottle. Is the baby always hungry? in 1 month? Despite the fact that the baby sleeps a lot and is practically motionless, he needs good nutrition. The child eats a lot. He needs to gain strength, develop mentally and physically.
Mothers who breastfeed their babies do not have to worry at all about the baby’s nutrition at 1 month. The baby should be offered the breast upon request. If he wants, he will eat. Breast milk cannot harm the baby. The baby can eat it as much as he wants.
With children who are at school, things are a little different. The formula is a complete breast milk substitute. But such a diet may be difficult for a newborn’s weak stomach. Therefore, it is recommended to feed the baby by the hour.
The following table is presented for infants under six months of age. Mothers of babies in the first month of life can also navigate it.
Age | Breast-feeding | Artificial feeding |
Feeding occurs every 2-3 hours. Applications for every requirement. 8-10 applications per day | Feeding every 3-4 hours. Strict adherence to schedule. 6-8 feedings per day. The volume of one feeding should not exceed 100 ml. |
|
1-4 months | Reducing the number of feedings due to improved night sleep. 6-8 applications per day | 5-6 feedings per day. The volume of one feeding increases to 130 ml. |
4-6 months | 5-6 applications per day. The baby begins to eat complementary foods. | 4-5 feedings per day. The volume of one serving is 150 ml. |
The data is indicative only. All children develop differently. Some have a good appetite, while others will have to be forced. The main thing you should rely on is the baby’s weight gain and his general well-being.
The child is not gaining weight well
The lack of weight gain should alert a young mother first of all. The first reason for this condition may be the fact that the child simply does not eat enough. Sometimes children spend the whole day at their mother's breast and remain hungry. If this situation occurs, it means that the child’s nutrition is not complete. It may make sense to transfer the baby to mixed nutrition. But under no circumstances should you stop lactation.
Children who are bottle-fed may also not be able to eat enough. If the baby is capricious and does not sleep well at night and is considered absolutely healthy, it is worth increasing the portion of the mixture. Every mother knows how much a baby should eat at 1 month. But some children may deviate from generally accepted norms.
Baby refuses breastfeeding
It is not uncommon for women to successfully breastfeed their babies for several weeks, and then the idyll is disrupted. The baby stops taking the breast. There may be several reasons for this problem. Perhaps the baby has or is unable to breastfeed due to nasal congestion. In any case, you should not panic. Lactation can always be restored.
The first thing a mother should do is find out the reason for the baby's refusal to breastfeed. If all else fails and your baby stubbornly continues to refuse milk, you should contact a lactation consultant. The specialist will tell you how much a baby should eat at 1 month and how to help him return to his mother's breast.
We exclude allergic reactions
The first month of life is quite common. The baby's body is rebuilt from the mother's womb to the outside world. Even the most ordinary foods that a young mother eats can cause a rash in a child.
A woman during lactation should monitor her diet. You should exclude spicy and fatty foods from your diet. You will have to forget about red berries and citrus fruits for a while. Any product should be introduced into the diet gradually. The mother should monitor the baby's reaction.
During this period, mother should also not consume chocolate and coffee. These products can be introduced into the diet a little later.
How to choose the right formula for a baby?
Although manufacturers now offer high-quality infant formulas, some of them can also cause an allergic reaction. Often the transition from breastfeeding to artificial feeding is characterized by a change in the baby's stool. You may also experience tummy pain or constipation.
Even the highest quality formula cannot replace mother's milk. It is also difficult to answer the question of how much a child should eat in 1 month of this or that mixture. After all, food must be offered to the baby in a certain quantity. You cannot save on baby food. Mothers need to choose products from a trusted manufacturer that has quality certificates. It is better to purchase the mixture at a pharmacy or a specialized children's store.
Baby has a tummy ache
There can be many problems with feeding a baby. Especially often, babies in the first month of life suffer from colic. Unpleasant sensations in the tummy can be caused by both the highest quality formula and breast milk. There are many drugs on sale that will help alleviate the child’s condition. But they can be given to a child only after agreement with the pediatrician.
Tummy pain may be associated with gas. During feeding, the baby swallows some air. To eliminate gases from the stomach, after each feeding you need to carry the baby in a column for 10-15 minutes.
You should not overfeed your child. This is especially true for those infants who are on artificial feeding. When compiling a portion, the nutritional norms table should be taken into account.
Should I give water to my baby?
Previously, water was given to babies from the first days of life. It was believed that a bottle of warm water calms the baby. Now experts say that it is completely unnecessary to give water to a breastfed baby. In addition, by offering a bottle to the baby, the mother risks completing the lactation process. Many babies refuse to breastfeed because it is much easier to get water from a bottle.
You can offer a little water to your baby only when summer heat. And even in this case, it is advisable to spoon-feed the baby. But bottle-fed babies can drink water even in winter. But the first thing a mother should rely on is the nutritional norm for 1 month. After drinking more water, the baby will not want to eat the formula.
Choosing a bottle
The success of feeding largely depends on the utensils that the mother uses. For bottle-fed babies, these are primarily high-quality bottles. Today, dishes for feeding babies are made of glass and high-strength plastic. Preference should be given to the first option.
Glass is an environmentally friendly material. In addition, this bottle retains heat perfectly. The size of the bottle should be chosen according to the age of the baby.