Why is it so important to breastfeed your baby? In this article, we will show you some of the many reasons why you should breastfeed. Nature designed breastmilk to be the perfect food for an infant. Breastmilk gives a huge boost to your baby's immune system. It can reduce sickness in your infant and can even help reduce allergies as long as you keep a constant regimen of breastfeeding. Breastmilk also fortifies your child's digestive system and helps control constipation and diarrhea. Conveniently sterile, breastmilk is always ready just when your child is ready to feed. A great side effect is that breastfeeding creates a bond between mother and child and some studies have proven that breastfeeding could reduce the risk of cancer in women.
Getting off to a good start with breastfeeding can be a challenge, but it is well worth it. Breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after the birth, preferably within one hour. Hold your baby skin-to-skin; this will encourage him to latch on, among many other benefits. Make sure your baby is latched on well from the start - don't be afraid to ask for help from your nurse, doula, midwife, lactation consultant, or experienced friend. You should not be separated from your baby, "rooming in" is better for both mother and baby. Do not give artificial nipples to your baby or allow anyone else to do so. Nurse your baby as often as he is hungry, for as long as he wants to suck. Supplements are rarely needed, and most of the time when supplementation is recommended, there are alternative feeding methods that can be used to maintain exclusive breastfeeding. Contact a good lactation consultant if you have questions about what you are being told.
Breastfed Babies and Milk Supply
How do you know your breastfed baby is getting enough of your nutritious milk? Many new breastfeeding moms experience some anxiety because they cannot measure the amount of milk their baby is getting. These feelings are very normal, and one of the best ways to assure yourself is to ask for help from experienced women such as your doula, midwife, or lactation consultant. Here are some guidelines to get you started.
In Week One, your baby should have one wet diaper per day for the first 6 days. Example: 1 diaper on Day 1, 2 diapers on Day 2, and so on until Day 6 when he should have at least 6 wet diapers per day from then on.
From Week Two to about One Month, your baby should have 6-8 wet diapers per day, and at least 2-3 stools per day. Some babies pass BM with every feeding, but this pattern may begin to change after 21 days.
At One Month and Beyond, you can expect 6-8 wet diapers per day. Exclusively breastfed babies start having BM's less frequently, 4 to 15 days or even longer between times can be normal as long as baby's behavior patterns are normal and his abdomen is not hard.
When you are breastfeeding, you also need to consider weight gain. A baby's weight can fluctuate greatly in the first couple of weeks. They will lose a great deal of their birth weight right away but will gain it all back within about 2-3 weeks. After that, you should expect to see a 4-7 oz. gain every week. Your pediatrician will supply you with a weight chart so you can make sure your child is on track.
This information is intended to be merely supportive in nature. Please contact your physician or a lactation consultant for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Getting off to a good start with breastfeeding can be a challenge, but it is well worth it. Breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after the birth, preferably within one hour. Hold your baby skin-to-skin; this will encourage him to latch on, among many other benefits. Make sure your baby is latched on well from the start - don't be afraid to ask for help from your nurse, doula, midwife, lactation consultant, or experienced friend. You should not be separated from your baby, "rooming in" is better for both mother and baby. Do not give artificial nipples to your baby or allow anyone else to do so. Nurse your baby as often as he is hungry, for as long as he wants to suck. Supplements are rarely needed, and most of the time when supplementation is recommended, there are alternative feeding methods that can be used to maintain exclusive breastfeeding. Contact a good lactation consultant if you have questions about what you are being told.
Breastfed Babies and Milk Supply
How do you know your breastfed baby is getting enough of your nutritious milk? Many new breastfeeding moms experience some anxiety because they cannot measure the amount of milk their baby is getting. These feelings are very normal, and one of the best ways to assure yourself is to ask for help from experienced women such as your doula, midwife, or lactation consultant. Here are some guidelines to get you started.
In Week One, your baby should have one wet diaper per day for the first 6 days. Example: 1 diaper on Day 1, 2 diapers on Day 2, and so on until Day 6 when he should have at least 6 wet diapers per day from then on.
From Week Two to about One Month, your baby should have 6-8 wet diapers per day, and at least 2-3 stools per day. Some babies pass BM with every feeding, but this pattern may begin to change after 21 days.
At One Month and Beyond, you can expect 6-8 wet diapers per day. Exclusively breastfed babies start having BM's less frequently, 4 to 15 days or even longer between times can be normal as long as baby's behavior patterns are normal and his abdomen is not hard.
When you are breastfeeding, you also need to consider weight gain. A baby's weight can fluctuate greatly in the first couple of weeks. They will lose a great deal of their birth weight right away but will gain it all back within about 2-3 weeks. After that, you should expect to see a 4-7 oz. gain every week. Your pediatrician will supply you with a weight chart so you can make sure your child is on track.
This information is intended to be merely supportive in nature. Please contact your physician or a lactation consultant for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
About the Author:
The author Brenda Minica CD (CBI) is a birth and labor San Antonio Doula. She has 6 children and has breastfed for a total of nearly twelve years (so far :).
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