Good afternoon Who knows better than a young mother how you want to sleep when the child is very small? Is it possible for a nursing mother to get enough sleep? What if you feed while lying down? Today we will look at the issues associated with this feeding position. Answer questions from nursing mothersteasMaria Ivanova, lactation consultantKazakhGW support group “Milk Help”.
Question 1:
Our grandmothers unanimously repeat - do not feed the child lying down. They say that milk will flow through the nose into the ears and there will be otitis, so you need to hold the child’s body at an angle so that the head is higher than the body. In the first weeks after giving birth, I only had to lie down to feed, as I could not sit due to the stitches. Now I don’t sleep half the night, I feed while sitting. The neighbor says that feeding while lying down is not harmful; she fed her child this way until he was one year and three months old and his ears never hurt. I don’t know who to believe, help me figure it out!
Answer:
Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding while lying downis not the cause of otitis media. It's all about special structure throats pbaby. It is designed in such a way that when sucking, the epiglottis separates the airways from the oral cavity and esophagus. The baby can simultaneously suck and swallow milk and breathe through the nose. Thanks to this mechanism, babies can breastfeed in any position, and milk will not get into the nose or ears. The baby can suckle at the breast and sleep at the same time. This is provided by nature.
Bottle feeding is another matter. Sucking on a bottle nipple is a fundamentally different mechanism (even if the nipple is positioned as similar to the breast). When sucking on a bottle nipple, the epiglottis does not separate the airways from the oral cavity, so bottle feeding cannot be done while lying down. Feeding a sleeping or dozing child from a bottle, or leaving him lying down, especially alone, is life-threatening.
Question 2:
I feed the baby while sitting, I still didn’t dare to feed while lying down. Over the past month, I've gotten to the point where I can't sleep at all. During the day we feed every 1-1.5 hours, at night - every 2-2.5 hours. At night I’ll feed him for half an hour, rock him to sleep for half an hour, and as soon as I fall asleep, it’s time to feed him again. My husband suggested taking the baby into our bed at night so I could get some sleep. Tell me how to properly feed while lying down?
Answer:
Thanks for the question! Night feedings can actually be tiring due to the need to sit. Of course, to do this you need to wake up completely, take the child in your arms and sit with him for a while, trying not to fall asleep yourself, which is simply dangerous. Sometimes you still need to rock the baby to sleep, then put him in the crib and try to fall asleep as quickly as possible. This is not all that simple, especially late at night. And getting enough sleep for a nursing mother is very important!
The lying position, or the so-called “relaxed feeding,” allows the woman to rest while the baby eats and even sleep. This type of feeding is very helpful when you haven’t had enough sleep and want to take a nap during the day. At first, some mothers adapt to the child’s routine, using every opportunity to sleep during the day. When it passes adaptation period, strength appears for household chores.
Using the lying position, you can breastfeed at night without waking up. To do this you need very little:
1. First of all, you need to lie comfortably on your side so that your arm and neck don’t become numb, and you don’t have to strain your muscles, trying not to fall forward or backward. A cushion placed under your back and a comfortable pillow lying strictly under your head and neck, and not under your shoulder, can help with this. Do not support your head with your lower hand, pull it forward, you can bend it at the elbow.
2. You can also place a cushion under the child’s back so that you do not need to hold the baby with your hand in the “sideways” position. Please note that the roller should be located along the child’s back to shoulder level. He doesn't rest in his head. The baby's head movements should not be limited; this prevents the baby from latching well and makes the baby nervous.
Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Article last updated: 01/23/2017
A correctly chosen position during breastfeeding not only contributes to the full and sufficient saturation of the newborn, but also relieves his mother from uncomfortable positions of the arms or legs, or from a stiff back. When a woman is in a state of relaxation and harmony, breast milk is produced much better. But you should remember that the baby should also be comfortable. After all, the grip of the nipple during feeding and its retention depend on the correctly chosen position, resulting in sufficient absorption of milk by the child. In addition, if the position is incorrect while feeding the newborn, the mother may experience cracks and damage to the nipple, or it may be compressed by the baby’s gums.
Factors influencing proper feeding of the baby
There are several rules that must be followed when breastfeeding your baby.
- The baby's body should not bend; all parts of the body should be on the same straight line, except the head. The head should always be elevated to minimize regurgitation after feeding.
- In order for the baby to be relaxed and calm when he is full, he must be pressed tightly against the mother with every part of the body: arms, legs, head, stomach, etc.
- The baby's head should be held in place by wrapping the arm diagonally.
- During the breastfeeding period, the baby should not make clicking or smacking sounds. Such facts indicate improper nipple latching, or problems caused by the frenulum of the tongue. This situation requires immediate medical attention.
- The newborn's mouth should be positioned opposite the nipple. It is worth feeding by bringing the baby to the breast, and not the breast towards him.
- The back of the newborn's head should be free. You can't put pressure on her. You only need to lightly support the child's head, without sudden or rough movements.
- The baby's cervical spine should be straight. His head should not be thrown back or down. Otherwise, it will greatly affect the swallowing process. The chin should not be pressed too tightly to the chest. Otherwise, the baby will not be able to open his mouth sufficiently when feeding, which will lead to many problems.
- If, when the baby is full, he has difficulty breathing, then it is worth changing the position a little, raising the head, or slightly changing the angle of inclination.
- At large sizes You can place a rolled up towel or diaper underneath your chest. This process will relieve pressure on the baby's lower jaw.
- When feeding, it is good to have pillows of different sizes on hand in order to adjust the position of mother or baby at any time.
- When breastfeeding, a mother should always have a drinking water. This process takes a lot of fluid from the woman’s body, as a result of which she begins to feel thirsty.
- Mother and baby should touch each other when feeding skin. This is very important and useful during this procedure. Therefore, it is advisable that they wear a minimum of clothing.
Feeding in the side-lying position
This breastfeeding position appeals to many mothers. In this position, a woman can relax and even rest peacefully. Often lying on their side, infants are fed at night. In this case, while the baby is satiated breast milk hmm, mom can take a sweet nap. There are three types of side-lying feeding.
The first type includes feeding from lower chest when the baby's head is located on the mother's hand. Due to this, the whole body is raised and the baby’s mouth is directly opposite the nipple. And with the other hand, a woman can hold her breast, or quietly stroke her child. The mother's head and shoulders should be on the pillow, otherwise feeding will be uncomfortable due to stiffness in the neck or back.
The second type of breastfeeding also refers to feeding the baby from the lower breast. However, the baby lies on a flat surface on his side, and both mother’s hands are free. In this case, to keep the baby calm, it is necessary for the woman to hold him close to her.
You can place a folded diaper under your child's head. It is necessary to ensure that in this feeding position the baby does not lie on his back under any circumstances. This makes swallowing difficult and satiation does not occur properly. This breastfeeding position is not on the list of the most comfortable. The woman lies leaning on her elbow, which may soon get tired, and the newborn’s nipple is presented as if from above, and this contributes to the fact that it will often slip out of the baby’s mouth.
The third type is feeding from the upper breast. To do this, mother and baby need to lie on a pillow. Moreover, the baby should lie on it entirely. You need to hold the baby with one hand, and the other is completely free. This provision will relieve stagnation that may form in chest. This position is also suitable for feeding from different breasts. First, you can feed the baby from the bottom, and then, without turning over to the other side, offer the baby the upper breast.
Feeding in the "lying jack" position
When breastfeeding in the jack position, mother and baby lie on their sides. The baby's legs are located along the mother's head. This position is very effective in detecting stagnation of milk in the upper parts breasts This process is also called lactostasis. With the jack position, this problem can be overcome. The main thing is to position mother and baby correctly. As a result, the baby is saturated with milk from the upper walls of the chest. For greater comfort, the baby should be secured, for example, by placing a small pillow under his back. As a result, the nipple will be located directly opposite the newborn’s mouth, which will relieve mother and baby from uncomfortable satiety and painful sensations.
Feeding in the supine position
Many babies love to breastfeed while lying on their mother. In this case, the woman lies on her back and comes into contact with the baby according to the “belly to belly” principle. The baby's head is slightly turned to the side. This position is very convenient if, in the process of saturating the baby with breast milk, the mother often changes breasts, giving him either the left or the right. This position is often used in the first two months of a newborn's life.
And this is absolutely correct. During this period, it is believed that a woman’s lactation is enhanced, that is, her breasts are overfilled with milk. Due to large influxes of milk, the stream from the nipple can have a strong pressure, causing the baby to constantly choke. And the “lying on your back” position helps reduce the pressure of the jet. Also, when the baby lies on his tummy, his intestines work much better, which avoids unwanted gas and colic.
Feeding in the hanging position
Breastfeeding in the overhang position is considered effective. In this position, breast milk is positioned correctly along the walls, which promotes saturation not only from the central parts, but also from the lower ones. For a child, such feeding is convenient when various reasons the sucking process is difficult. This can happen after drinking from a bottle, which is why many babies refuse to breastfeed. Because getting milk from it is much more difficult than from a nipple.
In this position, the mother should lie on her stomach, leaning on her elbows so that her chest hangs over the newborn, but does not press him down. The baby's head should be turned slightly to the side.
Errors that occur when breastfeeding
- When feeding while lying down, only the baby's head is turned towards the chest. In this case, the swallowing process will be difficult.
- The baby's chin is not pressed to the chest. This helps the nipple slip out of the mouth.
- The baby is too lazy to open his mouth wide enough. This may cause painful sensations the mother and insufficient saturation of the newborn with breast milk.
- The baby takes only the nipple without the areola into his mouth.
- The newborn takes quick and short sips when full, while smacking and making various clicks. This situation allows air to enter the esophagus, which will subsequently lead to colic and gas.
- The child is poorly fixed and turns his head, while pinching the nipple between his gums.
If you don't follow correct position and feeding the child, improper swallowing and satiation occur. The most common mistake is to capture only the nipple without the areola in the baby's mouth. This will subsequently lead to cracks and sores on the nipple, as well as painful feeding.
Another unwanted cause When feeding, there may be discomfort that the baby feels. As a result, he may become restless when feeding or refuse to breastfeed altogether. Therefore, it is necessary to do everything correctly, choosing the most convenient position for saturating your baby.
Breastfeeding is a very pleasant process for both the baby and the mother, provided that the saturation position is chosen correctly. The more competently the feeding process is worked out, the more problem-free, mysterious and gentle it will become. Mom and baby should feel each other. And for this they should not be hampered by a stiff back or an uncomfortable position different parts bodies. Also, feeding in different positions helps prevent many diseases of the mammary glands. During the process, you can use various pillows for convenience.
Breastfeeding is a very pleasant process for both mother and baby. The more competently adjusted breast-feeding, the more pleasant and hassle-free this process will be for both parties. One of important points in establishing breastfeeding is the development of a variety of feeding positions. The ability to feed the baby in different positions helps the mother not to get tired during prolonged feeding and is a prevention of congestion in the chest.
Most mothers intuitively try to feed in different positions. So that you don’t have to waste time and come up with feeding positions, we are sharing this “cheat sheet”.
Pose 1. “In the cradle”
Photo pose cradleThe “Cradle” position when feeding while sitting is the most famous and universal, as it is suitable for both a newborn baby and a child. over a year old. The baby is positioned in the mother’s arms, as if in a cradle: its head is on the elbow bend of one arm, and the mother’s other hand clasps and holds the back. The baby is turned to his mother “belly to stomach”, and his mouth is directly opposite the nipple. In this position, the mother can feed from both the right and left breasts, moving the baby's head from one hand to the other.
A variation of the “In the cradle” position can be called standing feeding. The baby in the mother’s arms is in the same position, only the mother herself is not sitting, as is most often the case, but standing. This is usually how babies are fed when they are rocked to sleep and put to sleep. Mom can sway her whole body while standing or move slowly around the room.
Pose 2. “Cross cradle”
Photo of the Cross Cradle pose “Cross Cradle” is a variation of the previous pose. The main difference is that the mother provides additional support to the baby with her hands. The head is supported by two hands: the palm of the hand that is on the side of the nursing breast, and the palm of the opposite hand, which supports the baby’s body.
This position is very convenient when mother needs to establish a correct grip on the breast. With her palms, the mother can move the baby’s head closer, and then the baby will be able to deeply grasp the nipple along with the areola, as it should be. The need for grip correction is more common in weak or premature babies.
Pose 3. “Under the arm”
Photo of the pose from under the arm (Click to enlarge) The underarm feeding position is great for women who have... natural birth or caesarean section you can't sit. With this method of feeding, the mother is in a reclining position, leaning on her thigh and forearm. At the same time, the baby is placed on a pillow so that his body is located perpendicular to the mother’s, and is located between the mother’s body and the supporting hand. With her palm, the mother supports the baby’s head and gives him the breast as if from above.
You can feed from under your hand while sitting, the main thing is to surround yourself with pillows and take a comfortable position.
For mothers, the “from the armpit” position is a way to prevent stagnation of milk in the lower and lateral segments of the breast, so it is worth breastfeeding in this way at least once a day. ()
Pose 4. “Lying on your hand”
The lying down feeding position gives mom the opportunity to relax her back and take a break from the upright position. Mom and baby lie on their sides facing each other. It is better to place the baby on a pillow, so the baby will be higher and it will be easier for him to reach the chest. An older child can do without a pillow. With the “lower” hand, the mother hugs the baby so that his head lies on her hand. This position is convenient for sleeping together.
Photo poses for feeding while lying on your hand A variation of this position is feeding from the lower breast while lying down. The baby lies next to him, face to face with his mother. At the same time, the mother puts her lower hand under her head. If in the first case the mother supports the baby with her hand, then in this version it is better to support the baby with a pillow so that he is kept on his side and does not roll over onto his back.
Pose 5. “Lying from the upper chest”
Photo poses for feeding lying from the upper breast This position is convenient if the mother decides to change breasts, but for some reason it is not very comfortable for her to shift the baby or turn over to the other side. Mom and infant lie on their sides face to face. Bottom hand We serve as a support for the mother, thanks to which the mother slightly lifts her body and gives the baby the upper breast. True, it is not possible to feed in this position for a long time, because mother's hand a heavy load is given. For comfort, the baby can be placed on a pillow.
Note to moms!
Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me too, and I’ll also write about it))) But there’s nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too...
Any feeding position can be transformed into a pillow position. You don't necessarily need a special feeding pillow for this. You can get by with ordinary pillows, because they can also serve as support, lift, and soften the load.
Pose 6. “Baby on mom”
Sometimes there is a need to feed in such an unusual position: the baby lies on the mother, stomach to stomach, head slightly turned to the side. This position is comfortable in the first months of life. During this period, lactation is just establishing itself, so there are still rushes of milk, during which the streams can be quite strong and the baby can literally choke. If the baby is on top, it is easier for him to cope with the flow of milk.
Another benefit of this position for newborns is the stimulation of the tummy. Usually, after feeding in this position, children suffer less from gas and colic.
Pose 7. “Hanging”
Feeding in this position can be beneficial for both mother and baby. For mom, this is an opportunity to empty the central and lower lobes in the chest. Such feeding is convenient for the baby when it is difficult for him to suck on his own. This may be true for weak babies or for those who refuse to breastfeed after a bottle, because... “extracting” milk from the breast is more difficult.
Photo pose for breastfeeding overhang You can feed while hanging from above, both on the bed and on the table. In the first case, the mother gets on all fours over the baby and gives him the breast. In the second case, the mother can place the baby on the changing table and lean over it. The baby's head should be slightly turned to the side.
Pose 8. “Riding on mom”
Similar to the Baby on Mom position
Photo of baby feeding poses on mother Older children don't like to lie down as much anymore. As soon as the baby has mastered sitting, you can feed him by sitting him on top of you according to the “belly to belly” principle. In this position it is very convenient to change breasts: you do not need to turn over or shift the baby. This position is especially convenient when feeding during a cold. IN vertical position The nose is less likely to get stuffy, so it’s much easier and more comfortable for your baby to breastfeed while lying down for weeks.
How to feed small breasts?
Breast volume has absolutely no effect on the amount of milk, so small breasts can be fed just as long and productively as large breasts. The only question is to find comfortable poses and adapt to your own characteristics.
It is difficult to identify any special positions for feeding with small breasts. You can feed in any position, but in some cases the mother will have to bend a little more, or lift the baby a little higher. The most comfortable position in this situation is considered to be “Lying on your arm.”
Feeding for lactostasis
When milk stagnates in the breast, all efforts of a nursing woman should be aimed at emptying the lobes in which a milk plug has formed. In this case, feeding is not only allowed, but also absolutely necessary, because no one can cope with sucking milk as well as the child himself.
Feeding positions for lactostasis are selected based on which part of the breast stagnation occurs. This can be determined by simply feeling the chest: the place of stagnation manifests itself as soreness and thickening. Next you need to follow this rule: the baby sucks the most milk from the part of the breast into which his chin rests when feeding. Whatever pose is chosen, it will be a modification of one of the basic poses we discussed above.
Each mother develops favorite and less favorite positions over the course of her feeding experience. Since breastfeeding is a process in which two people participate, mothers and their babies choose the most comfortable positions for themselves, adapting them to their characteristics and needs.
Reading on the topic of GW:
Photo gallery of feeding positions
Photo poses for feeding lying from the upper breast
Photo of baby feeding poses on mother
Photo pose for breastfeeding overhang
When my oldest daughter read the topic of the article I was working on, “How to Feed a Newborn Baby,” she chuckled and said knowingly, “How to Feed a Newborn?!” Usually. Chest."
Expectant mothers can also reason about this until they place a newborn in their arms. During this exciting moment of first latching, often all the theoretical aspects of feeding and latching that they have heard or read about are lost somewhere.
It would seem that the topic of feeding a newborn is well covered in various sources. Everyone knows about the benefits of breastfeeding, etc. Questions about how to feed a newborn are always discussed in classes at the “school for young mothers.”
But with the birth of a child, new mothers inevitably have questions: how to feed correctly, in what position, for how long, whether a regimen is needed, how to understand whether the baby has enough milk, whether the baby is latching onto the breast correctly, etc.
Especially many questions arise in the first (adaptation) month of a baby’s life. At this stage, the baby and mother learn to interact with each other and adapt.
First milk, first days after birth
Immediately after birth, it is very important to attach the baby to the mother's breast. Even if during this attachment the child receives literally a few drops of colostrum.
There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby early.
This contributes to:
- rapid establishment of lactation and stimulation of breast milk production in larger volumes;
- faster adaptation of the child to conditions outside the mother’s tummy, since the baby’s intestines are more quickly populated with beneficial bifidum flora. This means that the unfavorable period of transient dysbiosis of the baby’s intestines is shortened;
- strengthening the feeling of motherhood, reducing the level of stress hormones in a woman’s blood, accelerating the involution of the uterus (restoring prenatal sizes).
This skin-to-skin contact allows the baby to feel the mother’s warmth again, feel the smell of the mother, the beating of her heart. It has been proven that the earlier establishment of such psychological contact gives a powerful impetus to normal development baby's psyche.
In the first 2-3 days after birth, a woman produces not milk, but colostrum - the most valuable product of the mammary glands for a newborn.
Mom should not be scared by the fact that colostrum is released in a meager volume at first. Due to its high calorie and nutritional content, a small amount of colostrum is enough for a child.
It is rich in proteins and fats. And, unlike mature milk, colostrum does not contain as much water.
The child also needs time to switch to another - enteral (through the mouth) - type of nutrition, to start gastrointestinal tract and its enzymatic activity. And colostrum, like nothing else, helps a small organism with this.
Colostrum contains many enzymes that help fragile digestive system baby to cope with its function.
Colostrum has a moderate laxative effect. Thus, it helps cleanse the baby’s intestines of original feces (meconium).
Colostrum is also a kind of immune booster. It contains maternal immunoglobulins. These are immune proteins that transfer immunity to the child from the mother. They will protect the baby from infections even before the age of six months. After all, his immunity still has some time to develop.
The formation of immunity is also helped by the early colonization of the still sterile intestines of a newborn with lacto- and bifidobacteria, which large quantities found in colostrum.
Based on the above, colostrum is the most valuable and unique product for feeding a newly born baby. Therefore, it is important not to miss the opportunity to start breastfeeding your baby from this important stage.
And there is no need to rush to feed him with milk substitutes (formulas), hoping that they are better than this small amount of colostrum.
How to establish breastfeeding?
In order for breastfeeding to be successful, long-lasting and enjoyable for both participants in this process (mother and baby), you need to learn how to properly attach the baby to the breast.
After all, when a baby latches onto the breast correctly, he eats well and does not take in a lot of air during feeding. And at the same time, the mother does not have painful sensations when feeding, cracks and chafing do not form on the nipple.
Let's look at attachment using the example of a classic feeding position. This is the so-called “Cradle” pose. This is a comfortable position, mom can relax and even rest while feeding.
I’ll tell you in more detail what kind of “cradle” this is.
Mom sits down, leaning her back on a comfortable support. Support is required, otherwise it will be difficult for mommy. After all, the first feedings can last up to 40 minutes.
Additional for convenience better legs place it on a small stool or stand, otherwise your legs will be unnecessarily strained.
Mom holds the baby in the crook of her elbow, holding her by the neck and back. The baby should be turned towards the mother and pressed with his stomach to her stomach.
Thus, the baby’s ear, shoulder and hip are on the same line. It is important that the baby does not throw his head back or arch.
It is important to hold the child not by the back of the head. Otherwise, when you hold the baby by the head, he leans back, worries, and is capricious at the breast. It is more correct to hold your neck and upper shoulder girdle.
It is most convenient for mother to serve right breast with the left hand, and the left with the right.
Take your breasts, positioning them thumb from above, a little further than the areola (the dark area of the nipple), without covering it, and the remaining four fingers - from below.
A fairly common scissor grip, when the nipple remains between the index and middle fingers, does not allow the breast to be inserted deep enough into the baby’s mouth.
At the time of attachment, the baby's nose should be opposite the nipple.
After squeezing out a drop of milk, move it along the baby's lower lip. After waiting for the baby to open his mouth wide, place the nipple into the baby's mouth. Use your other hand to move your baby slightly toward your breast.
Thanks to this counter movement, the chest grip will be deeper and more correct.
Here are a few criteria for a baby to properly latch onto the breast:
- The child's mouth is wide open.
- The lips are well turned out and cover most of the areola.
- The baby's chin rests on the chest.
- The baby's cheeks are not sunken.
- You can hear the baby swallowing milk, but there are no clicking, smacking or other loud sounds when sucking.
- The baby is turned to the breast with the whole body, and not just the head.
If the mother does everything correctly when preparing for feeding and when applying to the breast, then she will not experience pain and discomfort during feeding.
With this attachment technique, the tip of the nipple rests on the transition zone between the hard (bone) and soft (muscular) palate of the child. And the wave-like movements of the baby’s tongue do not injure the delicate peripapillary skin.
After feeding the baby, be sure to hold it in an upright position for several minutes. You've probably heard the expression “hold it in a column.”
This is necessary so that the baby can get rid of air bubbles that could get into the stomach during the sucking process.
If this is not done, excess air will enter the intestines. Thus, they will provoke an attack intestinal colic in a baby.
Also, if you do not wait for excess air to leave the stomach (belching) after feeding, then such a gas bubble will provoke regurgitation in the baby.
Do I need to wash my breasts before and after feeding?
The breasts do not need additional washing before feeding. After feeding, washing the breast is also unnecessary. The fact is that after feeding, a natural protective film appears on the skin of the nipples, which prevents the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
Excessive hygiene procedures, especially using soap, especially laundry soap(some grandmothers advise) dry the thin skin of the nipples. And this is fraught with the appearance of cracks on them and discomfort during feeding.
It is enough for a nursing mother to take a shower twice a day and there is no need to worry about additional breast washing.
An exception is cases when a nursing mother uses any medications for the nipples in the form of ointments or gels.
Moreover, the medications used by the mother are not always an exception, requiring washing the breasts before feeding. Some specialized gels for the treatment of cracked nipples do not need to be washed off.
To wash off or not to wash off medicine from the breast before feeding, always check with the doctor who wrote the prescription, the pharmacist at the pharmacy or in the leaflet for the drug.
Experts have different opinions about the feeding regimen of a newborn.
The size of a newborn’s stomach is still small and his physical strength is not always enough for a full, long-term meal. Therefore, a newborn simply needs to be put to the breast more often than once every two to two and a half hours.
Let me remind you that the newborn period is the first 28 days from birth, that is, approximately the first month of life.
Also, during this adaptation period immediately after birth, the mother’s breast allows the newborn to satisfy not only his nutritional needs, but also satisfies hunger. When sucking, he also quenches thirst, gets rid of fears, and enjoys the mother's smell and warmth.
Sucking also stimulates peristalsis (wave-like contractions) of the baby's intestines, which promotes the passage of gas. That's why babies often poop while breastfeeding.
Feeding by the hour in the first month suppresses lactation, and frequent feeding stimulates it.
Rare and incomplete emptying of the breast is the main cause of lactostasis. This is stagnation of milk in the milk ducts, which within three days develops into mastitis, manifested by all signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, fever).
From the second month of life, the baby begins to develop a certain sleeping and feeding routine. Therefore, in the future, mothers can establish a feeding schedule by the hour every 2-2.5 hours.
This applies more, of course, to socially active or working mothers.
But it wouldn’t hurt for an ordinary non-working mother, who is always close to her baby, to establish a feeding regime in the future. Otherwise, there is a not very pleasant prospect of turning into a “mother-pacifier” on which the baby will hang 24 hours a day.
The duration of feedings is determined by the baby himself. But this is not an absolute statement.
For example, during the newborn period, feedings of less than 15 minutes do not allow the baby to get enough. At the same time, babies often get tired quickly and fall asleep. Therefore, if your newborn baby is lazy to work well at the breast and falls asleep, you will have to stir him up.
On average, the first feedings last up to 30-40 minutes. An older child gets full much faster.
What about night feedings?
It is at night that the hormone prolactin, responsible for stimulating milk production, reaches its peak of activity. Therefore, night feeding ensures sufficient milk production and helps stimulate lactation at the stage of its formation in the first month.
Long breaks in feeding and incomplete emptying of the breast during feeding, on the contrary, suppress lactation. The body will not waste energy producing milk if it is not in demand.
So feeding a newborn at night is necessary for both the baby and the mother.
On average, newborn babies can wake up at night to feed 2-4 times. After six months, the child can sleep all night and not wake up to eat. But in my practice there were few such babies.
If the child is gaining weight well and sleeps for 4 or more hours at night, then there is no need to wake him up. But if your baby is lagging behind in weight gain and still likes to sleep, then it is necessary to wake him up and feed him.
There are many different positions for feeding your baby. We will look at the most common and suitable for a newborn baby.
Cradle and Cross Cradle poses
These are postures for feeding a baby while sitting.
We have already discussed all the features of the position of the baby when feeding in the “Cradle” position above.
This is a widespread position when the baby lies in the mother’s arms, as if in a cozy cradle. In this position, the baby's head lies on the bend of the elbow towards the breast from which it sucks.
I’m writing about it again because I want to talk about another variation of this pose. This is the so-called “Cross Cradle”.
In this position, the mother holds the baby with the hand opposite the breast from which she is going to feed. The baby is positioned on the forearm of the mother's bent arm. At the same time, with the palm of this hand, the mother supports the baby’s head and can easily guide him.
This frees up the mother's other hand to present the breast correctly and adjust the baby's latch on the breast.
This position is more suitable if the baby is weak or premature. These babies typically have difficulty latching on and sucking.
When feeding in the “Cross Cradle” position, the mother can sit on a chair, in an armchair, on a fitball, or even walk and rock the baby.
It is worth saying that for the first feedings, which last 30-40 minutes or more, the “Cradle” and “Cross Cradle” positions are not entirely comfortable if there is no back support and footrest. Mom often gets numb legs, arms, and back.
Therefore, be sure to take care of your comfort in advance. Place a pillow on your knees to hover and “hunch” over your baby. Place a small chair under your feet. Sit on a chair with a comfortable backrest. Place a pillow under your back and under the arm holding your baby.
Some mothers find it more convenient to feed while lying down, especially after childbirth, when sitting is still difficult or even impossible.
Side Lying Pose
Mom and baby lie on the bed stomach to stomach. Mom rests her shoulder on the bed or puts a pillow under her head. It is important that you place the pillow under your head, not under your shoulders!
You can place a bolster made from a diaper or blanket under the baby's back to prevent the baby from rolling onto his back.
At the moment of application, the nipple should be at the level of the baby’s nose.
This position is suitable for women who cannot sit down after childbirth or if, after a caesarean section, a woman experiences pain when feeding while sitting.
This position is also ideal for feeding at night. From this position, you can, without moving the baby to the other side, immediately attach it to the other breast, slightly hanging over the baby.
Pose "Lying on the side with a jack"
With this position, mother and baby lie in opposite directions, that is, the baby’s legs are directed towards the mother’s head.
I have not often seen this method of feeding in practice. This pose also has a right to exist, and sometimes it is worth specially recommending. In particular, jack feeding helps to cope with milk stagnation in the upper outer lobes of the mammary gland.
It has been noticed that in those areas where the baby’s chin is directed, breast milk does not stagnate. Therefore, it makes sense to use jack feeding from time to time to evenly empty the breasts of milk, thus stimulating lactation.
Pose "Under the hand"
In this position, the mother can be sitting or half-sitting. The child lies on a pillow under the mother's arm, his legs are directed towards her back.
You need to make sure that the baby's feet are below the level of his head. The mother can hold the baby with one hand, or rather, she can hold and guide the baby with one palm.
In this position, it is easy for mom to control, adjust, correct her breast grip, and encourage the “lazy sucker,” since she has her other hand free.
This position is excellent for stagnation of milk in the lateral and lower segments of the mammary gland.
Also, if a woman has already developed nipple cracks on one side, then changing the position, where the baby’s chin is directed in the opposite direction, will make feeding less painful and facilitate the healing of the cracks.
Natural attachment (Australian position)
This is more likely not a pose, but a technique for self-attachment of a newborn baby, which helps the baby to latch onto the breast correctly and the mother to relax during feeding or even take a nap.
The technique assumes that the mother should remove clothes from the upper half of the body and allow the baby to find the breast himself and attach himself in a way that is comfortable for him.
The position of the mother is reclining on her back with support on the head of the bed or pillow. The baby lies on his mother, belly to belly. With a little help from his mother, he finds the nipple and attaches to the breast. This is self-attachment.
In the future, the baby’s head can be held with a hand bent at the elbow joint. And put a pillow under your arm.
Very often, mothers of newborns ask the question: “What to do if milk flows from the breast quickly and the child does not have time to cope with this flow and is capricious at the breast?”
Self-application solves this issue; in this horizontal position, the flow of milk will be less.
Another way to slightly reduce the flow of milk is to express it a little and apply the baby when the milk does not flow so quickly. This option is suitable if the mother has a lot of milk.
Do I need to give my baby extra water?
If the child is breastfed, then it is not necessary to give him additional water. It is believed that up to six months a child is natural feeding does not require additional drinking or complementary feeding.
Breast milk can quench both a baby’s thirst and hunger. Foremilk acts as a drink because it contains more water and less fat than hind milk.
Sometimes water is needed according to indications, for example, if the baby has problems with bowel movements. Your pediatrician will give you specific recommendations on this matter.
Pacifier, bottle and other nipple substitutes...
If you want to feed your baby breast milk for a long time and successfully, then you should not offer him “mother substitutes” in the form of a pacifier or bottle.
The fact is that sucking these devices is in no way similar to sucking a breast. When a baby suckles at the breast, the nipple is on the soft palate. When sucking on a pacifier, the top of the pacifier does not reach this area. The child gets used to improper sucking.
If a child sucks on a pacifier, his latch often becomes damaged. Then, during the sucking process, the baby “slides onto the nipple.” Feeding when the baby only sucks the nipple is ineffective and very painful for the mother.
It is easier for children to suck from a bottle, therefore, if a mother supplements feeding from a bottle, then sooner or later the child gives preference to it and refuses to suckle.
Is there enough milk?
During the formation of lactation, milk is not always produced evenly by the mother. There are peaks and valleys in this process.
Around the 3rd – 4th week of the baby’s life, the mother may experience a decrease in milk production. This is the so-called lactation crisis.
Such a crisis occurs during periods of maximum child growth, when the need for milk increases sharply, but the amount of milk produced remains at the same level.
At such moments, the child more often demands the breast and is capricious. This situation is fixable and does not require specific treatment.
The mother needs to put the baby to the breast more often, eat heavily and drink warm drinks.
Stimulation of the nipple sends a signal to the woman's brain that milk should come. The hormone prolactin is produced, which triggers and stimulates milk production.
The lactation crisis lasts on average 1-3 weeks.
Mothers often have questions about whether the baby has enough milk and whether he is getting enough.
Let me briefly say that true signs milk shortages are:
- Little weight gain or weight loss by the child;
- The number of soiled diapers has decreased (the child rarely pees and poops);
- The child's stool is scanty, sparse and dense.
If you leave your child for a day without disposable diapers, counted 10 or more soiled diapers, then you have no reason to worry about a lack of milk.
Practicing pediatrician and twice-mother Elena Borisova-Tsarenok told you about how to feed a newborn.
Modern mothers know that mother's milk- This is the most valuable nutrition for a baby. It contains everything essential vitamins. The mother should try to extend the feeding period. How to breastfeed correctly, and is it possible to prepare for this in advance?
A young mother should study information about natural feeding before giving birth. This will give her self-confidence and help her calmly adjust to the feeding process when the baby is born.
- Doctors believe that the baby should be placed on the mother's breast immediately after birth. And that's true. In just a few hours, colostrum is maximally nutritious and strengthens the baby’s immune system.
- In some cases, it is forbidden to put the baby to the breast. This is due to the use of general anesthesia, birth injuries baby or serious illness of the mother: HIV, syphilis.
- For women's health early application has to the chest great importance. The fact is that sucking provokes contraction of the uterus and separation of the placenta.
- While taking antibiotics and undergoing treatment with a number of drugs, you cannot breastfeed your baby.
- A healthy baby does not need additional feeding, since colostrum provides all the needs of the newborn. Give breastfeeding as often as possible.
- You need to feed the baby for 15 minutes, but you should alternate breasts. This stimulates lactation well and milk will soon appear.
- Breast size does not affect lactation in any way. Do you want more milk? Let your baby suckle more often.
- If breastfeeding is contraindicated after childbirth, it is necessary to express milk. This will prevent the development of mastitis. Regular implementation of the procedure is the key to long lactation.
How to breastfeed a newborn
For a successful breastfeeding process, every mother should know how to properly breastfeed her baby. If you do not acquire certain skills, you can cause the newborn to refuse breastfeeding. Set up good lactation will help:
- comfortable positions for mother during feeding;
- comfortable position of the child;
- correct positioning and grip of the nipple.
From the very first day, you need to choose the most comfortable positions for feeding, because the process can take a long time. The uncomfortable position of the mother or baby will make her want to refuse breastfeeding. Every woman should take this issue seriously.
Best Feeding Positions
Choosing suitable poses for feeding, the mother must take into account her weight, breast size and shape, and health status. Not only the saturation of the baby with milk, but also the release of the glands depends on the correctly chosen position.
Various postures from a lying position are considered the most comfortable when feeding. They allow the mother to rest, relax and rock the baby after feeding. For those who practice co-sleeping, lying down positions are the most comfortable.
Feeding positions are often found when the mother is sitting. They are no less comfortable, ensure correct breast latch and bring the baby complete saturation with milk.
- Cradle position. A sitting woman holds a child in her arms, his head lies on the crook of her elbow. This option is considered the most comfortable; the baby clears the milk ducts well, becoming completely saturated with milk.
- There is a “reverse cradle” pose. The baby's head is on the woman's hand, while his body is located under her arm. Sitting in this position, the mother does not get tired of the process and can control the latch on the breast by adjusting the position of the nipple.
- From under the hand. A fairly comfortable position when the baby lies freely and the mother holds his head with her palms. A good option feeding for hyperactive children or after cesarean section. The newborn's body is at hand, which reduces pressure on the uterine area and ensures proper latching on the breast.
- A good option when breastfeeding children from 6 months is a sitting position. The child sits independently on the mother’s lap, which ensures comfort for both.
Modern women value their time; the rhythm of life forces them to be active. Sometimes the feeding process occurs almost on the run.
- Rocking a baby while standing. Nice pose when you need to feed and rock your baby. The mother has to hold it at chest level to make the baby as comfortable as possible.
- A child who can stand well on his feet can be fed by placing him on a chair. The mother holds the baby with her hands, ensuring full latching of the nipple.
- At frequent regurgitation You can feed the baby when he sits on his mother’s hip, wrapping his legs around her waist. With this option, the woman stands.
How often to feed your baby
Many mothers wonder: how often to breastfeed a newborn? Today doctors advise feeding on demand. Although quite recently they insisted on strict adherence to the regime. So where is the truth?
Proper breastfeeding is incompatible with regimens. In the first months of a child’s life, he should receive food in response to his every cry or searching movement.
Recognizing a hungry cry is quite simple. The baby begins to shake his head different sides in search of a nipple, he opens his mouth and grabs a finger. Most babies are completely full within 20 minutes, but some babies are slow. There is no need to take the breast; when the baby is satisfied with milk, he will release it himself. The last portions are the most nutritious and contain more vitamins. This type of milk is often called “hind milk”.
Daily feeding of a baby should be at least once every two hours. But at night, if the child sleeps peacefully, breaks between meals can be up to four hours.
There is no need to give up night feedings at all. A woman’s body is designed in such a way that hormones are produced at night. There should be several feedings between 3 and 8 o'clock. By adhering to these rules, a woman will ensure herself a long and stable lactation.
Some experienced experts advise mothers to feed their baby while lying in warm water in the bath. In their opinion, this allows you to establish full tactile contact with the baby, which relieves tension and eliminates colic. With this method of feeding, both can fully enjoy the process.
Feeding should not be associated with difficulty. Mom should rest, relax and think only about the baby. Choose the most comfortable positions: on the sofa, soft chair or beds. This will definitely benefit both and prolong such important stage in the life of a baby - natural feeding.