Rebornne Baby American Baby

features

Breastfeeding Basics
Breastfeeding doesn't come easily to all new moms.

Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn't come naturally to all new mothers. Most women envision nursing a newborn as a smooth, effortless experience, with baby knowing how to signal to Mom that he's hungry and Mom executing the perfect response.

In a few cases, the ideal of a relaxed, comfortable nursing mom and her calm, satisfied nursing baby is a reality soon after birth. But for most mothers, breastfeeding requires a period of learning. Expect a few bumps in the road along the way, and make sure you have a good support network (americanbaby.com's community message boards are a good place to start) that can help you prevent and solve problems.

Close to 99 percent of women are capable of breastfeeding. As a new mother, you'll achieve breastfeeding success if you feed your baby frequently, use good positioning and latch-on, and are prepared for challenges if they do crop up.

Keys to Success
Offer baby the breast frequently, about every one-and-a-half to three hours during the day, and at least once or twice during the night. This helps your baby establish a healthy sleep/feed pattern.

As a rule, a newborn should feed every one-and-a-half to three hours. But newborns sometimes "cluster feed," or eat more frequently than every one-and-a-half hours. Newborns may cluster feed in the early evening in preparation for a four- to five-hour stretch of sleep at night. In a 24-hour period, a one four- to five-hour stretch of sleep without food is fine. But a sleep/feed pattern that allows for repeated long periods without nursing may result in baby awakening so weak or frantic from hunger that he may not be able to focus enough to latch onto your breast properly. Newborns often rely on their mom to help them establish an appropriate sleep/feed cycle in the first days.

Take advantage of your baby's light-sleep phases. If you notice your baby is stirring, making sucking movements, or moving his eyes around under his eyelids while sleeping, this is a good time to encourage him to awaken and feed.

Also, don't introduce a pacifier or bottle until breastfeeding is well established (usually after about four to six weeks) as this may interfere with latch-on by causing other nursing problems. If you need to supplement breastfeeding, contact a nursing expert.

Latching On

In order to effectively nurse, your baby must "latch on" to your breast properly. Tickle baby's lips with your nipple, make eye contact, and say "open" as you open your mouth. Try gently but firmly tugging on baby's chin. Baby is ready for a good latch-on when his mouth is wide open and his tongue is down flat over his lower gums. Make sure your baby gets a large mouthful of the breast, encircling most of the areola. Improper latch-on can be painful for you and won't allow your child to effectively nurse.

Breastfeeding Positions
Check how you're holding your baby. Most new moms use the cradle hold, but other holds, such as the football and cross-cradle, are easier for latch-on.

Cradle hold: Rest baby on a pillow, his head in the crook of your elbow. Using the C hold (four fingers under your breast, thumb on top), support your breast with your other hand.

Cross-cradle hold: This is the cradle hold with hands reversed. If you have baby in a right-handed cradle hold, for example, switch hands: Your right hand will be holding your breast, while baby's head rests in your left hand, your forearm along his back.

Football hold: Sit comfortably, with your back well supported, a pillow at your side and partially covering your stomach. Rest baby on the pillow, his bottom near your elbow and his back against your forearm. Use one hand to hold his head and the other to support your breast with the C hold.
Make sure your baby nurses on both breasts each feeding, and start with the breast where your baby finished the last feeding. That way, both breasts get emptied and stimulated evenly to produce the necessary amount of milk.

Your should know:

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.