One of the decisions you and your partner will have to make is whether to breast-feed to bottle-feed your baby. Breast-feeding is recommended for all infants with very few exceptions because breast-fed babies are generally healthier with fewer ear, chest, gastrointestinal and urine infections. They also suffer fewer allergies, asthma, eczema and diabetes. Breast-fed babies are easier to settle and more convenient to travel with.
Brest-feeding also has health benefits for you. By nursing your baby as soon as you are able to after delivery, you will reduce the risk of excessive uterine bleeding. Continuing to breast-feed will help you return more quickly to your chances of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. If you have concerns about breast-feeding, talk to your doctor.
Essentials of Feeding your Baby
Feeding on demand manes giving your baby the breast or a bottle when he is hungry, not following timetables. Babies who are hungry will act a little anxious, will turn their heads toward any cheek stimulation and open their mouths like little birds. If they are not fed at that point, they will go on to cry. There is nothing to be gained by keeping your baby waiting once he has acted hungry. You are not spoiling your baby by meeting his needs; you are caring for him and showing you love him by feeding him when he days he is hungry.
During the first two days, your baby may tend to feed every two to four hours, 15 to 30 minutes on one or both sides. By the third day, he’ll be much more awake and his tummy will be ready for the extra milk you should be making. He’ll tend to nurse every 2 to3 hours, for 15 to 30 minutes on each side.
Babies will not act normally if they are not getting enough milk. They will be excessively sleepy at the breast and feeds will be very short and infrequent or excessively long. When awake, they will be very unhappy.
Your baby should lose no more than 7 percent of his birth weight, should be back at birth weight by day 10 to 14 and gain roughly 30g a day during the first months. As he gains, his cheeks, tummy and thighs fill in and he may get a double chin. Every baby is little different. If you are not sure yours is gaining well, see your health care provider.
Your baby will soon establish his own feeding pattern. Most babies’ take both breasts at each feed but if the mother has a very large supply, sometimes they only take one, some babies are snackers and some are 8 square meals a day babies. If your baby looks chubby, is gaining well and happy, relax and let him show you what he needs.
Babies take the amount of milk that they need. If they are full, they simply won’t latch on to the breast. Babies need a lot of time at the breast during the first months. The breast provides food, as well as warmth, security and an easy way to get to sleep when they are tired. If your baby is unhappy, always offer the breast. Most of the time that will be what he wants. If he does not settle, try other things like different holding positions such as laying your baby across your lap face down, rocking and gentle massage.
Special Cases
Preterm babies are very varied in their ability to feed. The younger the baby, the more health and feeding problems he can have. Preterm babies tend to be very sleepy and may not wake and demand food even though they need it. So when applicable, wake your baby every three hours and offer a feeding.
If your baby is too sick to feed at the breast, start pumping as soon as you can with high-quality electric pump both breasts at the same time. You will need to pump regularly and often to maintain your milk supply until the baby can nurse. See your physician, nurse or lactation consultant for help with this.
It’s perfectly possible to breast-feed twins. Most mothers have more than enough milk. Feed them one at a time at first. Then when you are more confident, it will make your life easier to nurse them together.
By Canadian Medical Association
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