How long to breastfeed? Breastfeeding a newborn baby

Quite often, a young mother is faced with the opinion that breastfeeding should only be done during the first year of the baby’s life. What if the baby doesn’t even think about saying goodbye to his beloved mother’s milk? That’s when the question arises: maybe you shouldn’t rush to wean your baby off the breast?

How long to breastfeed?

There is no consensus on the duration of breastfeeding. Some people believe that breastfeeding after a year is inadvisable, others breastfeed until the end of paid maternity leave, and supporters of radical views believe that a baby can receive mother’s milk for as long as he wants.

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF* place great emphasis on the continuation of breastfeeding in children over one year of age, recommending that this process be maintained for up to two years or more.

A child in the first six months of life should receive only breast milk, which contains all the necessary nutrients and water. From six months, breast milk remains beneficial for the baby, but can no longer fully provide all the nutritional needs of the baby, and therefore, from this age, along with mother’s milk, so-called “complementary foods” are introduced into the baby’s diet.

A second year child eats a very varied diet. His diet is almost the same as that of an adult. A mother can breastfeed her baby once or twice a day, most often at night. But this feeding is very important, since at the end of the first and in the second year of life, intensive growth, physical and mental development of the child continues. Therefore, breastfeeding should be done for as long as possible to help the baby grow properly and harmoniously.

Breast milk has a unique property: at each stage of the baby’s development, milk contains exactly those biological substances (hormones, growth factors, etc.) that are not found in any other baby food, and that will ensure the correct development of the child at that moment.

*UNICEF, or the Children's Fund, was created by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on December 11, 1946 to provide assistance to children in Europe after World War II. In 1950, the fund's activities were expanded and tasks were set to help children and women in developing countries.

For example, the milk produced by a woman who has given birth during the first two weeks of breastfeeding (lactation) is close in composition to colostrum (“breast milk “concentrate”), which helps the baby catch up with developmental delays. Or in the last stages of lactation (its second year), milk, in terms of the content of specific protective proteins of the immune system - immunoglobulins, resembles that which prevents infection with infectious diseases.

Benefits of long-term breastfeeding

Nutritional value

Scientific research proves that in the second year of life (and even after two or more years) milk remains a valuable source of proteins, fats, enzymes that break down proteins and fats in the intestines; hormones, vitamins and microelements that are quickly and easily absorbed.

The content of vitamins and microelements in human milk may vary depending on the mother’s diet, but with a balanced diet it always meets the child’s needs. For example, when breastfeeding in the second year of life, the baby is protected from a deficiency of vitamin A, which is necessary for the normal formation and functioning of eyes, skin, hair, as well as vitamin K, which prevents bleeding. In addition, human milk contains an optimal amount of iron, which is very well absorbed in the baby’s intestines and prevents the development of iron deficiency anemia.

Scientists have calculated that if a one-year-old child receives 500 ml of breast milk per day, then his daily energy needs are met by a third, protein by 40% and vitamin C almost completely.

Protection against diseases

It is interesting to note that each pathogen that infects the mother stimulates the production of immunoglobulins present in the milk and received by the baby. The concentration of these substances in milk increases with the age of the baby and with a reduction in the number of feedings, which allows older children to receive strong immune support. Immunoglobulins coat the intestinal mucosa like "white paint", making it inaccessible to pathogens, and provide unique protection against infection and allergies. In addition, proteins in human milk stimulate the development of the baby's own immune system. Also, human milk contains substances that support the growth of beneficial bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) in the intestines, which prevent the colonization of it by pathogenic bacteria.

Reducing the risk of allergic diseases

WHO studies have shown that long-term natural feeding (over 6 - 12 months) in combination with a hypoallergenic diet* of a nursing mother significantly reduces the incidence of development in children.

*Hypoallergenic food - food from which products containing allergens, as well as sharp and irritating substances are excluded.

Bite formation, facial structure, speech development in children it is also determined by the duration of natural feeding. This is due to the active participation of the muscles of the soft palate in the process of obtaining milk from the breast. Children who are breastfed for a long time are better able to reproduce the tones and frequencies of sounds. Speech disorders are less common in them, and mainly these are physiological replacements of the sounds “w”, “zh”, “l” with more “simple” sounds.

Benefits of children's physical development

Breastfeeding ensures an optimal ratio of fat to muscle tissue in the child's body and an optimal ratio of body length and weight. The physical development of a child corresponds to his biological age, does not advance or lag behind. This was determined by the timing of the formation of various skeletal bones.

Plays an important role emotional aspect of long-term natural feeding. The special connection, the psychological attachment that is established between mother and child during feeding, remains for life. The neuropsychic development of such children may be advanced; they adapt better in adulthood.

It is the process of breastfeeding that helps in the formation of the soul and personality that is inherent only to humans, self-awareness and knowledge of the world around us.

Mothers who breastfeed for a long time show more care for their children, have a more positive attitude towards them, and maintain a feeling of love, which is especially important during the critical age periods of children after one year. No matter how stressed the mother is when she sits down to feed her baby, by the end of feeding both of them relax, and both of them noticeably improve their mood. In addition, women who breastfeed are much less likely to develop malignant neoplasms of the mammary glands and ovarian cancer.

Installed protective role natural feeding regarding the incidence of diabetes mellitus* and obesity in children and adults.

*Diabetes (Greek diabetes from the Greek diabaino to pass through, flow through) is the general name for a group of diseases characterized by excessive excretion of urine from the body. Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by insufficiency of insulin (a pancreatic hormone), causing metabolic disorders, mainly carbohydrate metabolism.

However, the reduction in the risk of diabetes depends on the duration of breastfeeding. The direct mechanism of this effect is associated with the fact that the energy substances of human breast milk, especially proteins and carbohydrates, are optimal in their structure for the child, are easily absorbed by him, without requiring an increase in the level of substances (including insulin) that break down the elements of milk into their component parts . Therefore, the regulation of the hunger and satiety centers in the brain does not change. And failures of such regulation lead to metabolic disorders and the development of endocrine diseases.

When not to stop breastfeeding

For any disease or ailment of the child, since breast milk allows the baby to gain additional protective factors that help cope with the disease. It has been noticed that children who receive breast milk in the second and third years of life recover faster during illness.

In summer time, since in summer, due to high temperatures, food spoils faster and the risk of developing intestinal infections is higher. But even if such a disease occurs, complementary feeding products will have to be temporarily discontinued and only mother’s milk will be consumed, which will be not only nutrition, but also a valuable natural medicine. In addition, stopping breastfeeding is always stressful for the body, including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

In summer, the activity of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract changes due to the predominance of vegetables and fruits in the diet, rather than meat and dairy products, and the high air temperature does not encourage higher-calorie foods. Thus, the abolition of breastfeeding and a complete transition to adult food creates additional conditions for indigestion.

Do not stop breastfeeding immediately before important, significant events in your life and in the life of the baby, since these events are, for example, a change of residence, travel, mother going to work or study, the child starting to attend a nursery, etc. - are a stress factor for a small organism.

In general, continue breastfeeding for as long as your maternal intuition tells you. Depending on the baby’s health condition and your inner feelings, she will be the one who will help you make the right decision.

Attention: During the entire period of breastfeeding, psychological support from loved ones (husband, parents) is important for a woman in her desire to breastfeed for as long as possible.

After all, mothers often stop feeding their children only because of the misunderstanding of others.

Don't listen to those who suggest stopping feeding for a year. Continue breastfeeding until age two or beyond. After a year or a year and a half, human milk does not become “empty”; at any stage of breastfeeding, it is the most valuable and healthy product for the baby, which helps him grow healthy, smart and cheerful.

Olga Kachalova
Associate Professor, Department of Hospital Pediatrics, Moscow Faculty of Russian State Medical University
national expert on the WHO/UNICEF program "Ten steps to successful breastfeeding", Ph.D.

Discussion

And we are almost 8 months old now, and we eat everything from the chest, we love this thing) Now it’s warmer, so we can even go for a walk. I think I’ll try to wean him off for a year.

At two months the baby stopped latching. We are now 7 months old. We still eat breast milk, in a slightly different way (long live the breast pump, I’m already changing the third one) - I express before each feeding, of course this has its difficulties, but they are worth it to overcome them. I want to hold out breastfeeding for at least a year, while it lasts formation of immunity.

I really liked the article. I want to write a lot...
But I’ll probably write about what I didn’t see in the discussions.
I want to breastfeed for as long as possible (my daughter is now 1 year 11 months old),
BUT I have real problems with my teeth, gums, and hair.
And this is what I understood about this: nature is wise, as you know, and everything in it is harmonious,
therefore, a mother who goes the natural route breastfeeds for a long time,
must live, accordingly, in a natural environment, where there is clean ecology, fresh vegetables, etc.
And if the mother gives for a long, long time, and in return does not receive sufficient support (vitamin),
then a discrepancy occurs, as a result of which the mother’s body suffers.
And if the mother feels bad, then the child is not very good either.
It turns out there are two options: either stop feeding, or figure out how to do so,
so that my mother’s body has this support.
I don’t completely trust artificial vitamins and, as a supporter of naturalness,
Now I’m trying to find sources of natural vitamins.
If anyone has a similar experience, please share.

I fed Masya until she was 1 and 10 months old. It was very difficult to quit, but since I was at work during the day and she didn’t eat boob, at night she made up for it in full - and we ate all night - I had to quit, since I had no strength at all.
And now my conscience gnaws at me for quitting early when I meet mothers who breastfed longer.
But on the other hand, my daughter, until she was 1 and 10, wanted to eat almost nothing else except me, although she was not thin. And now at least she eats normal food (though she’s lost weight :()

I liked the article too! Thank you! I have been feeding my daughter for 1 year and almost 2 months, which I am very proud of, although at 3-4 months the baby refused to breastfeed. She screamed, pushed, and bent. This upset me very much and I tried my best to establish feeding, because there was a lot of milk! Thank God everything worked out and today you can’t tear her away from her boobs.
I will feed the baby as long as necessary, but I want a second child, the sooner the better. So far I can't get pregnant.

I’m ready to feed at least until I’m three years old, but I’m afraid I’ll be left without hair and teeth.

I would like to add one more thing to my previous message. We breastfed until we were 4 years old, but at 3 years 3 months we went to kindergarten (we had to go to work). They sucked tits in the morning and at night. In the meantime, we gradually got used to the kindergarten, for the first months we stayed there until lunchtime, and slept at home during the day, and then before naps. We practically didn’t get sick until we were 3 years old (at 1 year 9 months - ARVI, and then somehow we had sniffles for a few days and everything went away). We have been going to kindergarten for 1 year and 3 months now, but we often don’t get sick (2 times a year - ARVI), although it is very difficult for us to go to kindergarten, i.e. We can’t get used to it, apparently it’s not ours, I don’t know what to do anymore, I need to help the child somehow. There is a concept of “non-kindergarten child”, apparently that’s us. We both suffer and suffer from this. The girl is very developed beyond her years, ahead of her peers (everyone notes), very sociable, easily gets to know both children and adults, makes contact, but she doesn’t like being in kindergarten, it’s hard for her, even the teachers note this. They began to cry often, although before kindergarten I almost didn’t know what tears were. These tears have already turned into hysterics, apparently because the child is constantly under stress, and this is bad; the nervous system, which was previously quite strong, suffers. I don’t know what to do, it seems like time has passed (we’ve been visiting the kindergarten for 1 year and 3 months already), and we did everything gradually (I was there with her at first, then we gradually added to the time she was there for three months), and the kindergarten is wonderful (she likes all the classes, we are in a Montessori group, she really loves going to the pool there, music classes, choreography, English), and the teachers are good, they themselves see how hard it is for my daughter. But no way! With all this, she does not arrange “demonstration performances”, she tries to hold on, and this is bad. Emotions and stress should still come out, we can get ready for kindergarten with a wild roar and drive the whole way like that. If you hold back in the morning, then in the evening the storm breaks out. It’s hard, I’m worried about not tearing the baby down. But I'm getting off topic. So you can breastfeed and work when the kids are no longer babies, and they let you work - they don’t get sick often, and if they do, it’s mild and they recover quickly (try not to stuff your kids with medications, their immunity will help them cope on their own , just lead a healthy lifestyle, maybe some folk remedies will help). As for the appearance of the nursing mother herself, it seems to me that this depends more on genetics, on the kind of life the mother leads and, in general, on her very attitude towards breastfeeding (the attitude should be positive and bring joy, not necessity). My breasts remain the same. Yes, when I was feeding, it was a wonderful size (C), I really liked it, but then everything returned to its original position, and it doesn’t show that I fed until I was 4 years old. My figure remains exactly the same as before pregnancy. After the maternity hospital, I wore the same things as before pregnancy. I even checked out wearing the same trousers that I wore before pregnancy. So my size 40 remained mine. Many people say so, you dress in a children's store with your daughter, because... Not every size 40 item fits me (sometimes it’s too big for me). I understand that everything is individual, but still it depends more on genetics, the mother’s lifestyle, maybe some malfunctions have occurred in the body - we must try to correct them. Everything will work out, the main thing is the attitude! Maybe someone will do this after breastfeeding, we are all different, just like our children. But we feed for a year or two or three... and then we can take care of our body for the rest of our lives. All in our hands. Everything will work out!!! I think the main thing is to tune in and not be lazy, the result will always be there. I wish everyone good health, smiles and happiness!!!

Great article!!! I also fed my daughter breast milk. My daughter and I graduated from school at 3.8. True, sometimes after that they rarely applied, but by the age of 4 they reached the finish line. Somehow everything happened naturally - without psychological trauma to the child and without tugging, the milk gradually ran out, and the child gradually lost the habit. It is important! Thank you for support! Otherwise, I was reproached more (by my relatives) for breastfeeding for such a long time. It was not difficult at all, everything was natural - it brought us both great pleasure when you are alone in these moments and belong only to each other, no one interferes in our relationship at this moment, you experience some kind of unearthly calm. This is important for both the child and the mother! I’m just sure and I see from my own experience that this is health (immunity), and the psychological comfort of the child, and a huge bond between mother and child. Someone even said that it also affects intelligence. I think so too. I have a 5 month old baby. said “mom”, at 1 year she spoke quite well, and at 1.5 we were already reciting poems. Very good motor skills: at 8 months. they could easily unfasten and fasten the zippers, at 1 year old they could not only undress themselves, but also dress them, at 1.5 years old she put together puzzles with 13 pieces, and at 2 years old - with 48 pieces, so the logic is wonderful, she reasons like an adult , speaks English quite well. We were not even 4 years old, and we became interested in the question of the universe, who came first, an adult or a child, etc. Children who are on breastfeeding sleep wonderfully. Since birth, we sleep peacefully all night (pah-pah). For the first 2-3 months we sucked our boobs once at night, after 2-3 months we slept until the morning, until 7 o’clock, then we would suck and continue to sleep until 10 o’clock. And my breasts remained the same, as they were before the birth of my daughter. Breastfeed for as long as possible and don’t listen to anyone! And for those who were unable to feed for a long time due to important reasons, do not be upset. You are a MOTHER and you can compensate this for your baby. Good health and family happiness to everyone!!!

But I was initially set up for long-term breastfeeding. And when my son was 2 months old, and I was hospitalized for 5 days, and was injected with antibiotics, and at home the baby ate formula, I WORRIED terribly. As a result, there was not enough milk, and I no longer had to express (before the hospital I pumped (involuntarily) half a liter (!) a day, otherwise there would have been inflammation).
My mother saved me from the formula for increasing lactation MD-mil; the pediatrician at the hospital gave me a couple of cans for free (!). Before that, I tried a lot of things, but it didn’t help.
Now we are one year old, and in my opinion my son is not going to give up breastfeeding, but I don’t mind and am infinitely happy about this and am even a little proud that I was able to prolong lactation. After all, breastfeeding has not only positive aspects, but also deprivations: you have to forget about the diet, you can’t eat on vacation (without a child), at night, again, sleep is interrupted in order to feed the child, etc.
And therefore, phrases like “how long are you going to continue feeding?”, said with irony or even teasing, really just jar, especially when they are uttered by CHILDREN’S DOCTORS, and women at that (((. I probably know better, I’m a MOTHER, period .

Mine is 3.5 years old, so I think it’s probably time to stop breastfeeding. There is a difficulty, because She eats not only at night, but also in the morning, during the day, and in the evening.

I have never listened to other people's surprised cries about long feeding. I and only I am responsible for the health of my children, so I will feed as long as necessary in

I drank goat's milk before and after giving birth. And with my very slender figure, there was plenty of milk. Highly recommend.

Yes, the article is wonderful. And I would also like to add that lactation can always, or almost always, be restored if there is a desire and the appropriate attitude. My son is almost 2 years old and we are still sucking “TITU” and we are definitely not going to give up for the next six months! And there was a period (my son was 4.5 months old) when there was suddenly not enough milk, and I tried drinking dill water, the result exceeded all my expectations! Yes, the White Gold bank, which I collected from the very first day of discharge from the maternity hospital, also helped me cope with the crisis. I just pumped and froze, just in case. And when we had to supplement the feeding, we made do with my supplies and didn’t have to give formula.

Oksana! Well, I completely agree with you!!! I read the first reviews, I was also shocked by the reaction of mothers of artificial babies! My son is 1 year and 3 months old, I am still breastfeeding, although he already goes to kindergarten. My friends are not very keen on this they react like “I should have quit a long time ago,” and one actually said that she saw it on TV, some specialist spoke and said that long-term feeding harms not only the child, but also the mother’s thyroid gland deteriorates, endocrine diseases appear!!! Thank you HUGE for the article I felt better like a mountain off my shoulders, otherwise I had already decided to quit. Although I also admit that I really like breastfeeding!

In the postpartum ward there are young mothers who have no idea how to breastfeed properly. The nurse brings the children, quickly distributes them to the women, and runs off to do other things. One is sleeping, the other is crying, the third has taken the very tip of the nipple with his sponges and greedily draws milk, and there is no one nearby who can give advice or teach how the first feeding of a newborn should take place. About 30 years ago, this situation happened in almost every maternity hospital: babies were taken away from their mothers and were not allowed to drink the healing colostrum that appeared immediately after childbirth. Now you can avoid such an attitude if you take care in advance of choosing the institution where the long-awaited baby will be born. Most good maternity hospitals make sure to teach mothers how to breastfeed their baby correctly.

Choosing a suitable maternity hospital

Future parents dream that their baby will be born in the best conditions. You have made inquiries in advance about the qualifications of doctors, methods of childbirth, and the availability of modern equipment. Don’t forget to ask about the environment in which the newborn will spend his first days. There are still medical institutions where the baby is immediately taken away from the mother, is not allowed to be in the same room, and the baby is brought in for the first feeding no earlier than 24 hours later. There, too, it is not villains who work there, but qualified specialists, and they justify their methods with reasonable arguments. How do you know which is better?

One of the arguments of supporters of the separation of a nursing mother and a newborn: the woman is tired, during the first days she needs to lie down alone, rest and gain strength. At the same time, for some reason, it is not taken into account that it was also very difficult for the baby, he walked a difficult path through the narrow birth canals and found himself in a new, completely unfamiliar world. The child is stressed, he wants to cuddle with his loved one, but finds himself completely alone in an unfamiliar crib. It is also impossible to separate for physiological reasons. Immediately after birth, the baby should latch on to the breast and drink the first drops of colostrum, which have an analgesic and calming effect. All fears will be left behind, the baby will fall asleep. This will also be a signal to the female body that it is time for the uterus to contract and milk to be produced in the breast.

It is in the first days that the lactation algorithm is laid down, and if you follow the rules of breastfeeding from the very beginning, the child will not need any additional nutrition until six months old. The composition and quantity of milk is not constant; the mother’s body adapts to the needs of the children and produces the food it needs during this month. Do not interfere with natural processes, and you will be able to breastfeed your baby for up to 2 years.

First feeding

The first breastfeeding should be done under the supervision of a specialist who will give the necessary advice on how to teach your baby to latch on to the breast. In the first days, get used to making yourself comfortable. Breastfeeding is not just about the newborn’s absorption of food, but also about your communication, which should bring joy to both mother and baby. What pleasure can there be if your arm goes numb or your back hurts from an uncomfortable position? First, position yourself so that you feel comfortable for about half an hour, and then you can put the baby to your chest. The first days it is better to feed lying down: you are not yet strong after childbirth, the tears have not healed - you need to give rest to your exhausted body.

Place your baby next to you, hold him with one hand and see if he is lying correctly:

• the body is straightened and the tummy is turned towards the mother;
• the head is slightly tilted back;
• The cheeks and nose are pressed to the chest, but not too much, so that the child can breathe freely.

If the baby has not started to eat, you need to teach him to latch on to the breast. Run your nipple across your lower lip. When the baby opens his mouth, insert the nipple there. Correct breast capture: lips turned outward cover almost the entire dark area around the nipple. Listen to how the baby sucks at the breast: you should not hear panting, smacking or any other sounds other than swallowing.

Some babies love their mother’s breasts so much that even after they’ve eaten, they don’t want to let go. Do not pull the nipple out by force, as this may cause cracks. When you realize that he has eaten as much as he needs, lightly press the baby’s chin, and if he still does not open his lips after that, carefully insert the tip of your little finger into his mouth and slightly turn your finger. The baby will open his mouth and you can easily release the breast.

Take a comfortable position

There is no one best position for feeding a baby; different circumstances can accommodate different positions. For the first month, it is better to breastfeed while lying down; this will be a wonderful rest for the mother and will help the organs damaged during childbirth to recover. Then you can feed while sitting, reclining, standing, or moving. It is better not to stop at one position, but to change positions each time and teach the child to take the breast in any position. If you position yourself the same way all the time, some part of the breast may be constantly pinched and milk will stagnate in it. If you fed your baby while sitting one time and lying down the next, the breast will be completely freed.

When feeding while sitting, make sure you have a comfortable place. The back should not get tired so that the mother does not fidget and disturb the baby. Place the leg located under the nursing breast on a slight elevation. Both of you will get real pleasure if feeding takes place in a rocking chair. The quiet rocking will lull both the baby and the mother to sleep, and you will take a sweet nap together. Make sure in advance that the baby does not fall out of your hands, secure it with a sling.

Within a month, the wounds will heal, and the nursing mother will want to move more. If you don’t want to sit with your baby in your arms for a long time, find out how to breastfeed a newborn while standing; here, too, the sling will become your reliable assistant. Turn on gentle music and spin around with your baby in a smooth dance. The time will come when you will be able to do a lot with your baby at your breast, just don't do things that require all your attention. You will communicate with the baby, and let your hands do their usual work. And when you get tired, lie down and take a nap together.

After feeding, be sure to hold your baby upright for a few minutes to allow air to escape from the stomach.

When should you feed your baby and how long should you keep him at the breast?

There are many recommendations for mothers about the infant feeding schedule. The range of opinions is very wide: both guidance to strictly follow the established regimen, and advice to breastfeed at any time when the baby cries. There is no need to go to extremes; it is better to independently determine what is best for you and the baby. Having chosen the desired tactics, stick to it constantly, then your body will also adapt to this routine and begin to produce as much milk as needed. In the first month, the baby will eat 7 to 10 times a day. If you feed him more often, the baby will not suck the milk completely.

You should keep your baby at your breast for about half an hour: if he stops sucking after a few minutes, he will drink only the first, thinnest portion, and the most nutritious last milliliters will remain in the breast. You need to teach your baby to eat everything without leaving a trace. If he falls asleep, take out the nipple and lightly stroke his cheeks, the baby will wake up and continue eating. If he is already full, he will not take another nipple. Feed only one breast each time, most often you produce as much milk as you need, especially in the first month. It’s just that the little cunning ones don’t always try to finish eating; it’s more convenient for them to take the other breast and suck without difficulty. A second breast can be given if milk is really not enough.

Until the baby is one month old, one feeding should last him at least two hours. If your child asks to breastfeed more often, do not refuse the first few days, but figure out why the baby does not eat as much as he needs. When he falls asleep, try to wake him up and feed him; if the mother has little milk in one breast, give the other one and soon get advice from your doctor on how to increase the production of food for the baby. If there is too much milk and the baby cannot eat it, be sure to express the remainder after each feeding. Stagnation can lead to mastitis.

Do not wash your breasts with soap before each feeding; carry out this procedure only in the morning, and in the middle of the day it is enough to wipe the nipple with boiled water. The skin contains a special lubricant that prevents the growth of bacteria; frequent use of soap destroys this protection.

Problems and mistakes of young mothers

Why study tips on how to breastfeed correctly if nature has already built a sucking instinct into children, the baby will still take the breast and gorge on milk? Of course, he won’t go hungry, only then he will suffer from gas and colic, and mom will cry from pain in her cracked nipples and treat mastitis. Have you heard horror stories about how, just a month after giving birth, your breasts became swollen and hardened, and ulcers appeared that required surgery? They are about those mothers who believe that there is no need to follow any recommendations; correct breast latch will occur naturally.

Proper breastfeeding brings great joy to both mother and baby, do not deprive yourself of this pleasure.

Cracked nipples cause women severe pain. Do not stop breastfeeding newborns because of this, but purchase special pads at the pharmacy. In the first month there are often small wounds, but the unpleasant sensations from them arise only at the moment when the baby takes the breast, then everything goes away. Never decide for yourself whether to transfer your child to artificial nutrition or not if the nursing mother is ill. In case of dangerous infections or serious illnesses, breastfeeding may be contraindicated, but only a doctor can make this decision.

Each generation of doctors introduces its own innovations, and they are not always beneficial. Ask old pediatricians whether you need to give your baby water, and they will unanimously answer: definitely in the first days, milk is food, not drink. Now it is believed that the mother’s breast gives the baby everything he needs; he does not need to be given water or additional feeding. Like any issue, this problem requires an individual approach. If a nursing mother has very thick milk and the heat outside is unbearable, it is not surprising that the baby will be thirsty. In the first month, the doctor will order blood and urine tests, their results will show whether the child is dehydrated or not. Increased hemoglobin and red blood cells, low ESR can signal that the baby is not getting as much fluid as he needs.

A young woman is in doubt: should she breastfeed her baby or switch her to formula in the first month so as not to spoil her figure? In fact, there is no problem: the shape of the bust depends on natural features, body care, and lifestyle. There are women who have nursed several children under one year and have retained breasts, which they are not ashamed to show at a beauty contest. There are nulliparous girls who are forced to insert silicone to lift their saggy breasts. Feed your newborn correctly, and beautiful forms will soon be restored.

No one in the world would dare to say that breastfeeding is harmful, that milk contains substances that are unacceptable for a child. On the contrary, mother's milk contains all the necessary components that the baby needs so much at the initial stage of his life.

The value of natural feeding for mother and child

Studies have shown that feeding newborns with breast milk and colostrum stimulates the development of immunity to many infectious diseases. It contains a small amount of iron, but it is exactly as much as the baby needs to absorb and digest.

One of the main advantages of breast milk is that it is sterile, always at the right temperature and not contaminated with microbes, so in this case it is simply impossible to transmit a gastrointestinal infection to the baby.

Natural feeding makes it possible to save a lot of time and frees you from constant washing and sterilizing bottles, preparing and storing formula. The financial side is also important, because breastfeeding significantly reduces cash costs. Moreover, breastfeeding is incredibly convenient if you have a long journey ahead of you with your baby.

The baby can suck on his mother's breast as much as he needs. This develops a sucking reflex in babies, so among children who were fed breast milk, there are practically no thumb suckers.

Many mothers get great pleasure from giving their child something that no other food can provide. And the extraordinary unity with your child is a truly unique feeling. Many women cannot feel like real mothers from the mere fact of giving birth to a child, and in this case, breastfeeding works wonders: mother and baby are connected by an invisible thread and each time they experience more and more love for each other.

The value of breast milk

Milk contains all the necessary components.

• Squirrels. Quite easily absorbed and digested. Proteins are necessary for a child to properly build the cells and tissues of his body.
• Carbohydrates (lactose). Necessary for the development of intestinal microflora.
• Fats. They contain fat-soluble vitamins A and E, which are very important for the baby.

With mother's milk, the child receives all the microelements, vitamins and minerals necessary for his development and growth.

Physical condition of the mother

Many women do not want to breastfeed, explaining that they could ruin their figure. However, you don't need to eat a lot to produce enough milk.

How does the mammary gland of a nursing woman behave?

During pregnancy, breasts enlarge, and after childbirth they become even larger. This happens regardless of whether the mother is feeding or not. When the baby is a week old, the breasts become smaller during feeding and lose excess elasticity. This fact causes concern among mothers: has the milk disappeared?

Breast size doesn't matter, although many people worry about it. There is no reason to doubt. When a woman is not breastfeeding or pregnant, breast tissue is at rest and makes up a smaller portion of the total breast volume. The main part contains adipose tissue, so the larger the breast, the more adipose tissue it contains. As pregnancy progresses, ovarian secretion ensures the development and enlargement of mammary gland tissue. The veins and arteries that supply the breast with blood enlarge. In some cases they protrude to the surface. A couple of days after birth, milk appears, and the breasts increase in size even more. Any doctor will say that women with small breasts fed their children just as successfully as those with large breasts.

How to prepare the mammary gland?

In order to avoid problems with feeding, you should prepare your breasts for this.

Several decades ago, women were advised to rub their mammary glands with a thick cloth so that they would harden. It has now been proven that this is not worth doing. After all, women's breasts, especially the nipples, are quite sensitive, and such actions can easily damage them.

Purity

You should take a shower daily. The chest should be clean. Try not to lather your nipples so as not to dry out the skin.

Black tea

To soften the skin, use lotions with black tea. The procedure should be carried out several times a day. In this case, oak bark will help: brew the herb according to the diagram on the package and make compresses.

Hardening

To begin, walk around the apartment with your chest open for about half an hour. Next, take a shower and pour cool and then cold water over your mammary glands. But here you should be careful: do not set records, reduce the water temperature gradually.

It is useful to wipe the nipples with ice cubes. For convenience, you can freeze black tea, chamomile or oak bark. Keep the ice on your breasts until your nipples become hard. The procedure should be carried out no more than once a day, otherwise you can catch a cold in your chest.

Flat or inverted nipples

If the mother has flat nipples, this will make feeding much more difficult, especially if the baby is easily excitable. The baby will constantly look for them, and when he cannot find them, he will begin to get nervous and throw his head back. There are several ways to establish feeding.

Try to bring the baby to your breast as soon as he wakes up, then he will not have time to become capricious. If he starts crying, calm him down and then try again.

Have a light massage before feeding. It will make the nipples more prominent. To do this, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the nipple and pull it out, twisting it slightly.

Try squeezing out some milk. This will allow the halo area to become significantly softer and more pliable.

Nails must be trimmed and hands washed.

Nowadays, pharmacies sell special nipple correctors that should be worn in the last months of pregnancy. You should start with 5 minutes a day, gradually increasing the time to half an hour.

Massage before feeding

1. Breast stroking should be gentle and gentle. Nipples and areolas cannot be massaged.
2. We take the chest in one hand and lift it. Massage with the other hand, pressing lightly. This will help avoid milk stagnation and also prepare the breasts for feeding.

Perform 5 times each technique. A set of exercises will keep your breasts in shape.

For those who are worried that their shape will disappear after feeding, you can do physical exercise. Clasp your palms with your fingers pointing upward, as if you were praying.

Squeeze your palms forcefully, hold for a couple of seconds and relax. Elbows should be spread in different directions. Repeat 10 times. Raise your palms above your head and also squeeze and unclench them forcefully 10 times. Continue with the exercises, again placing your hands near your chest.

To properly breastfeed, start preparing while you are pregnant. Be sure to attend courses for expectant mothers, where experts will show you how to properly apply your baby to the breast to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Care

Taking proper care of your breasts while breastfeeding is easy.

Special creams will help restore the delicate skin of the nipples and areola, which will not only help improve the condition, but will also prevent cracks in the nipples. There are products that need to be washed off, and which, on the contrary, must be absorbed, so read the instructions carefully or consult your gynecologist. Those creams that contain aloe extract and lanolin are good. After use, they must be allowed to absorb well, and only then put on underwear. If you have damaged your nipples, do not endure the pain; use special covers. To avoid stagnation of milk, purchase a breast pump; it will express the remaining milk after feeding.

How to choose a nursing bra?

Some people ask the question: why buy a special bra if you can get by with a regular one, but one size larger? The answer is simple. Regular bras are not designed to support heavy breasts due to narrow straps, so the appearance of stretch marks indicates that the underwear was not chosen correctly. A nursing bra is very important for breast health and maintaining its shape.

What to look for when choosing underwear?

1. It must consist entirely of natural fabric; synthetics are not allowed here.
2. The bra should have a special pocket that will ensure easy unfastening and fastening.
3. The bra should contain additional support so that the breast does not fall out during feeding, because with the help of a pocket only the nipple and part of the areola should be exposed.
4. If mommy has large breasts, then the straps should be wide and strong.
5. It is very good if the bra has a section for inserting a pad against milk leakage.
6. There should be no bones.

How to start breastfeeding?

What to do when a mother is unable to feed properly? Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky has his own opinion on this matter. Here are some tips from this wonderful pediatric doctor.

1. Relaxation. Rest helps milk flow. Surely many mothers have noticed that its amount depends on their mood. Nervousness can lead to a delay, so it is recommended that before you start breastfeeding, distract yourself from all negative thoughts, relax and take a few breaths. If you can lie down for a few minutes, that's great.
2. Comfortable position. Whatever position is chosen, it all depends on whether the baby is correctly attached to the breast, because incorrect latching of the nipple can lead to injury. Some feed only lying down, and some feed while sitting.
3. You should not allow your baby to put only the nipple in his mouth, otherwise he will not get milk. Try to get most of the areola there, then the baby will feel good and your nipples will not be harmed.
4. There is no need to hold the baby's head, pressing him to the chest. Children don’t like this very much, that’s why they break out.
5. Do not squeeze your baby's cheeks. The child turns in the direction that is being stroked or touched, so by squeezing them, you confuse him.
6. Don't get angry or nervous if your baby doesn't want to take the breast every time. Be calm but persistent.
7. During feeding, stay alone with your baby, otherwise the worry of the mother, who will listen every time to the advice of the “smart guys” standing nearby, will not end well.
8. Remember, the color of the milk does not matter; it should not look like cow’s milk, as many people think.
9. Feed your baby on demand, not on a schedule.

Mom's nutrition

Nutrition when feeding breast milk should be completely balanced and complete. Moreover, the mother simply needs to recover after childbirth and pregnancy. The quality and quantity of milk will depend on what diet you follow while breastfeeding. It is important that the mother adheres to the daily routine.

What foods can you eat while breastfeeding?

Do not forget that if a child feeds only from the breast, this takes away a lot of microelements and vitamins from the mother, so the loss should be replenished. In this case, you should eat more than usual. In addition, you need to increase the amount of liquid consumed (water, apple juice, tea, dried fruit compotes).

Food should be varied. Let the young mother eat dishes every day that are prepared only from healthy products, such as fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, and cereals.

It is necessary to ensure that the mother receives dietary fiber through a balanced diet when breastfeeding. For example, prunes, wholemeal bread, and raw vegetables can help with constipation, because this is a fairly common problem among nursing mothers.

It is very important to take vitamins when breastfeeding. But here you need to be careful and watch the baby’s reaction. If colic begins to bother him or redness appears on the skin, then taking vitamins should be stopped immediately. Try to choose a complex that is specifically designed for nursing mothers.

It is very important for a mother to eat foods high in calcium (celery, raisins, peas, squash, cabbage, and dried figs), since it is known that milk takes a large amount of this element from her body, which is necessary for the growth of the child’s bones.

What should a nursing mother not do?

It should be remembered that the diet when feeding breast milk must be followed regularly. Do not drink alcohol or smoke under any circumstances. You can not only harm the child’s health, but also significantly reduce his already unprotected immunity.

A nursing mother should definitely avoid foods that can cause allergies in her baby. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them, but for your beloved child you can be patient. Allergenic foods should be excluded: citrus fruits, smoked meats, seafood, chocolate sweets, as well as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.

You should also avoid products that contain large quantities of strong essential oils (onions, garlic), organic acids (cherries, sour apples, pickled and pickled vegetables, cranberries), food colorings, preservatives, high salt and sugar content, extractives ( meat and fish broths).

It is better to consume fermented milk and dairy products in their pure form, without additives. It is better to prepare yogurt or kefir with your own hands: learn in advance, this will be useful for your baby in the future during the introduction of complementary foods.

Feeding and pregnancy

If a mother is breastfeeding and suddenly finds out that she is pregnant again, then most often this leads to confusion. Some people think that feeding should be stopped. This is a completely false statement. Breastfeeding and pregnancy are completely compatible. Moreover, you can give birth to a baby and continue to breastfeed the older one.

In this situation, it should be remembered that the mother must eat well.

If your nipples begin to hurt during pregnancy and breastfeeding, this is not a reason to worry, because in the early stages they become quite sensitive.

Some women fear that the oxytocin released during breastfeeding, which promotes milk production, may trigger contractions. This statement has no basis, because the uterus reacts to oxytocin only in the last stages of pregnancy (at the 38th week).

If you are in good health and your pregnancy is going well, you can continue breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding should be stopped if:

• had a miscarriage;
• there was bleeding;
• there was a premature birth.

After the fifth month of pregnancy, the composition of milk changes, so the older child may feel the difference and refuse to breastfeed. There's nothing you can do here.

Monitor the weight of the first baby to be sure that as the composition of milk changes and colostrum appears, the older child gets enough of it.

When is pumping necessary?

You should not purposefully express breast milk in order to get it to come in. It is enough that the child will latch on regularly. The mammary gland itself will adapt to the baby and produce exactly as much milk as he needs to be completely saturated.

However, there are exceptions in which expressing is simply necessary.

1. If the baby cannot be put to the breast due to the health of the mother or the child himself. In this situation, this will help not to lose breast milk and subsequently resume feeding.
2. If mom urgently needs to leave. In this case, you can express the milk and put it in the refrigerator. There it can be stored for about two days, and in the freezer for 3 months.
3. If the baby's condition does not allow him to latch on. In this case, bottle feeding with breast milk will help. The baby will definitely get stronger and will be able to eat mother’s milk on his own.

When should feeding be stopped? These are the following:

• natural weaning;
• termination at the request of the mother;
• self-exclusion of the child;
• forced cessation of feeding.

Most mothers are unable or unwilling to breastfeed until their baby is ready to cup feed (6-9 months).

If a child is capricious, cries from hunger and is not gaining weight well, then bottle feeding in this situation is the only saving option.

If you notice that there is not enough milk or for some reason you urgently need to wean your baby from the breast, you should prepare a daily supply of milk formula and distribute it into as many bottles as you usually had. Give your baby a bottle after each feeding. Let him drink as much as he wants. Next, you should skip the one feeding that provides the least amount of milk. After a couple of days, skip another one, following the same principle. Then reduce feedings every two to three days.

The same method should be followed if the mother wants to stop feeding herself. The optimal age for weaning at will is 3 months. At this time, the child’s digestive system stabilizes, colic stops, and the baby rapidly gains weight.

After the cessation of breastfeeding has occurred completely, unpleasant chest pain may appear. In this case, you should pump, but only until the pain disappears.

Every mother has the right to decide whether to feed her baby or not. The main thing is to be aware that for a child at the initial stage of his life this is very important, because only with mother’s milk does his body receive vitamins, microelements and nutrients that are so necessary for a newborn to grow and develop. No formula can compare with breast milk in either composition or taste. Nothing brings mother and baby closer together than breastfeeding. This is a very important stage in the baby’s life, and the sooner the young mother understands this, the faster a special connection and complete mutual understanding will appear between her and the baby.

Proper feeding of a newborn in the first days of life is as important an element of growth and development as mother’s care and baby care. The ideal option is breastfeeding. If for various reasons it is not possible to breastfeed, high-quality infant formula will help out.

It is important for a young mother to know how to organize the nutrition of a tiny person. Study the material: you will find answers to many questions related to the organization of nutrition for the youngest children. The most important thing is to ensure maximum comfort for mom and baby.

How to feed newborns correctly

At the maternity hospital, staff will talk about the benefits of early breastfeeding and provide conditions for close contact between mother and baby immediately after birth. Now the children are in the same room with their mother, which allows them to feed the baby “on demand.”

If there is a lack of milk, do not despair, try to establish natural feeding. Drink enough fluids, try to calm down, put your baby to your breast more often. Even a minimal amount of milk will be beneficial. Supplement your newborn with formula, monitor behavior, weight, and stool quality. If there is no milk, switch to artificial formula.

Breast-feeding

The benefits of early breastfeeding have been proven by neonatologists and pediatricians, confirmed by satisfied mothers and well-fed, peacefully snoring babies. Close emotional contact is one of the advantages of natural feeding.

Breast milk benefits:

• baby (the child receives fully digestible food, develops well, and gets sick less often);
• mother (the uterus contracts more actively under the influence of the baby’s sucking movements, the body recovers more quickly after childbirth).

First stage

In the first hours after childbirth, the mammary glands produce a valuable product - colostrum. The volume of useful substance is small, but the rich composition and high fat content satisfy the baby’s need for food. An important detail is that colostrum saturates the small body with biologically active substances and strengthens the immune system.

Most maternity hospitals practice early breastfeeding. An exciting moment for mother and baby entering an unfamiliar world. The warmth of the breast and the smell of milk calm the newborn and allow him to feel protected. The more colostrum a child can receive, the better for his immunity.

Homecoming

Many young mothers get lost and panic when they find themselves at home with a newborn. There is a caring dad nearby, a familiar environment, but there is still excitement. If a woman listened to the recommendations of the maternity hospital staff, there will be fewer difficulties with breastfeeding.

Features of feeding newborns with breast milk:

• The diet in the first week takes more into account the interests of the newborn. The mother will have to adapt to the baby’s needs;
• It is useful to observe when the baby is really hungry, to note the interval between feedings that the child can withstand. The optimal option is 3 hours, but in the first week, babies often cry loudly for milk after 1.5–2 hours;
• Pediatricians advise: feed your baby “on demand” when he greedily seeks the breast with his mouth. Gradually, the child will get stronger, will be able to drink more valuable liquid at a time, and will remain full longer. Active breastfeeding will increase lactation, the baby's nutritional needs and the mother's capabilities will gradually coincide;
• After a couple of weeks, accustom your baby to the diet. If in the first days you fed your baby every one and a half to two hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night, gradually switch to feeding seven times a day. The regimen improves the functioning of the tiny intestines and gives the mother rest.

Suitable poses

Choose a specific position that suits you best. Remember: Each feeding in the first weeks of a newborn’s life lasts a long time.

Please note that you are unlikely to be able to sit for half an hour or more beautifully, bending over the baby (as nursing mothers pose for photos in magazines), especially after a difficult birth. If it is uncomfortable or difficult for a mother to hold her baby, she is unlikely to have pleasant thoughts or tender feelings.

Try several poses, choose the optimal one, taking into account the condition of the breast, weight, and age of the baby. As the baby grows, an uncomfortable position may become suitable and vice versa.

Basic positions for feeding newborns:

• supine position. The baby leans against mommy with her arms, legs, and head. A woman's shoulders and head are raised with a pillow. The position is suitable for copious milk production;
• lying on your side. This convenient option is chosen by many mothers, especially for evening and night feedings. Be sure to alternate lying on each side so that both breasts are emptied;
• classic sitting position for feeding. Mom holds the child in her arms. Pillows under the back, on the knees and under the elbow will help reduce arm fatigue and “reduce” the baby’s weight;
• hanging pose. Recommended for poor milk flow. The newborn lies on his back, the mother feeds him from above, leaning over the baby. Not very comfortable for the back, but effective for emptying the chest;
• posture after caesarean section, when nursing twins. The woman sits, the baby lies so that the legs are behind the mother’s back, the head looks out from under the mother’s hand. This pose relieves the manifestations of lactostasis - stagnation of breast milk, accompanied by soreness and pronounced thickening of the lobules of the mammary gland.

Infant formula

Artificial feeding is a necessary measure, but in the absence of breast milk you will have to adapt. Properly organize the newborn’s nutrition and listen to the recommendations of pediatricians.

Features of feeding newborns with formula:

• Unlike breastfeeding, when the baby eats and falls asleep, the nutritional formula has a certain dosage. It is important to know how much breast milk substitute to give to an “artificial” baby per day;
• From the first days, feed the baby 7 times, every 3 hours. Later, you can switch to six meals a day with an interval of 3.5 hours;
• choose a high-quality mixture that provides satiety and maximum nutrients. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to feed the baby on demand: the formula cannot be given “whenever you want”, it is important to maintain a certain interval;
• occasionally it is allowed to shift the time of the next intake of the beneficial mixture, but not by much. Violation of the rules causes stomach/intestinal problems in the baby;
• choose infant formula from well-known manufacturers, without palm oil, sugar, or maltodextrin. As a last resort, there should be a minimum amount of components that support a feeling of fullness;
• If there is little breast milk, you have to constantly feed the baby. First offer the breast, then baby food in a spoon. Avoid bottles: it’s easier to get milk from the nipple; after a while, the baby will probably refuse the breast;
• Be sure to give the “artificial” newborn boiled water. The volume of fluid depends on age;
• artificial feeding will help produce healthy twins or triplets. The mother does not have enough milk for two/three children; she has to give a nutritional formula. As babies grow, breast milk is replaced with formula milk.

How much should a child eat?

How much should a newborn eat at one feeding? When breastfeeding, the baby himself feels when the ventricle is full. The baby stops suckling and calmly falls asleep.

To feed the “artificial baby,” the mother must pour a certain amount of formula into the bottle so that the newborn does not remain hungry. Pediatricians have developed a formula for calculating the amount of baby food for each day.

The calculations are simple:

• the newborn weighs less than 3200 grams. Multiply the number of days lived by 70. For example, on the third day the baby should receive 3 x 70 = 210 g of formula;
• the newborn weighs more than 3200 grams. The calculation is similar, only multiply the number of days by 80. For example, on the third day a large child should receive a large portion - 3 x 80 = 240 g of baby food.

Note! The calculations are suitable for the little ones. From the 10th day of life the norms are different. You will find a detailed calculation of the amount of formula for feeding “artificial” babies in the article, which describes the selection rules and features of the use of popular infant formulas from 0 to 6 months.

Nutrition table by hour

It’s easier for young mothers to navigate if they have a clear idea of ​​the baby’s diet. During the first month, the newborn will sleep most of the time (up to 18 hours a day), and be awake for the rest of the day.

Remember: When the baby is not sleeping, half the time he sucks on his mother’s breast or receives infant formula instead of breast milk. Pay attention to the newborn feeding chart. It schedules feeding hours for babies of normal weight.

• If the newborn spits up after feeding, a simple trick will help: carry the fed baby in a column for 10–15 minutes;
• The neck of a newborn is still very weak, how to act so as not to damage the bones or stretch the muscles? Place your head on your shoulder, hold the baby upright, lightly press him towards you, supporting him by the back and butt. This position will ensure the release of excess air, reduce the frequency and volume of regurgitation;
• After eating, you should not disturb the baby; it is not advisable to put him in the crib. Active games, tickling, and shaking are prohibited. Change the newborn's clothes also after 10–15 minutes, when the air leaves the ventricle;
• If your newborn hiccups after feeding, he may have overfed or is cold. Stroke the tummy, warm the baby, let the excess air escape (hold it in a column). If the volume and pressure of breast milk is too large, feed the baby intermittently so that the previous portion has time to get into the tiny stomach.

How to maintain the emotional and physical health of a nursing mother

Helpful Tips:

• upon returning home after the maternity hospital, a woman should also get at least a little sleep, devote time to other family members and herself, otherwise psychological problems and a crisis in the relationship with her husband cannot be avoided;
• constant fatigue accumulates, mommy gets irritated for any reason and gets nervous. The result is a decrease in milk production, an eternally hungry, crying baby, again nerves and new worries. The circle closes. That is why it is important to take care not only of the baby, but also to maintain the health and psychological balance of a woman who has undergone a natural birth or a cesarean section;
• The realization that with the birth of a baby, a successful businesswoman has turned into a “milk-producing machine” depresses many young mothers. The closest people should help here. Praise and pride for the person who gave the gift of a son (daughter)/grandson (granddaughter) must be expressed in warm words. A woman feels much more confident if she feels supported;
• An important point is assistance in caring for the baby. It’s good if the husband, grandmothers and young mother share the chores around the house. A woman needs to rest, often feed her newborn, and restore her strength. In the first two to three weeks, the lack of real help negatively affects the physical and psychological state of the nursing mother;
• unfortunately, it often happens that the husband stays late at work (not to mention how difficult it is to “get” vacation after the birth of a baby), and grandmothers, due to various circumstances, cannot help with household chores. It is important to preserve breast milk and not fall off your feet from fatigue;
• what to do? You will have to ask for help from good friends, relatives, and neighbors. Surely, someone will agree to help you: go grocery shopping, buy diapers, or wipe the dust at home. Involve people you trust, don't refuse help. Even half an hour of rest will be useful for a young mother;
• prepare simple dishes, buy a multicooker that minimizes labor costs for cooking. The device does not require constant monitoring, which is important when tired, frequent feedings, or when the mother thinks only about the baby and sleep.

Now you know how to start breastfeeding, how to give special formulas. Pay maximum attention to the baby, remember about your health and the existence of the rest of the family members. A proper diet will ensure maximum comfort for the baby and adults.

More useful tips about breastfeeding in the following video:

Many young mothers are concerned about the question of how to properly feed their newborn with breast milk. How successful breastfeeding will be largely depends on whether it can be established in the first week after birth. For a long time, it was generally accepted that breastfeeding is a natural process, and a woman should know how. However, the reality is that most new mothers have many questions about breastfeeding.

Milk does not appear in a woman’s breast immediately after the baby is born, but after 1-3 days. Before this, the mammary glands produce colostrum - this is a special secretion formed in the last days of pregnancy or immediately after childbirth. Colostrum contains a lot of useful substances - easily digestible proteins, antioxidants and vitamins. At the same time, it has a high energy value and a rather low percentage of liquid compared to mature milk, which protects the baby’s kidneys from overload.

The need for feeding occurs in a newborn a few hours after birth. In the first day, the baby’s stomach barely reaches the size of a cherry, and the digestive tract is not yet adapted to digest milk or formula.

However, the newborn must be put to the breast immediately after his birth. Firstly, drops of colostrum will give the child immunity and stimulate intestinal function. Secondly, when the baby takes the breast, the woman’s body, under the influence of the hormone prolactin, begins to actively produce milk. Thirdly, the psychological aspect is very important: skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth helps to establish special closeness between mother and child.

How to properly put a baby to the breast?

How to properly attach a baby when feeding? Following a few rules will protect the baby from colic and excessive regurgitation, and the mother from pain, cracks and lactostasis. A woman should be explained in the maternity hospital how to properly breastfeed a child. At the same time, the doctor checks the sucking reflex of the newborn and the presence of milk in the young mother.

The technique for putting a baby to the breast is as follows:

1. Before starting feeding, a woman must choose one that is convenient for herself. The most common feeding is on the side, since in this position the mother rests, and stagnation of milk does not form in the breast.
2. Before you put your baby to your breast, get his attention. Gently touch your baby's cheek with your nipple or fingertip. Under the influence of instinct, the baby turns his head towards the stimulus, opens his mouth and sticks his tongue out slightly. When the baby is ready to feed, you can give him the breast.
3. How to properly put a baby to the breast? Make sure that the baby grasps not only the nipple, but also the areola. Otherwise, the baby will not receive the normal amount of milk during feeding and will begin to cry and chew the nipple. Because of this, a woman may develop cracks on her breasts. If the baby does not latch onto the breast correctly, you need to interrupt feeding. Some babies are unable to open their mouths wide, causing them to extend their lips with a tube in search of food. You can help your child by gently pressing your finger on his chin. After this, offer the breast to the newborn again and begin proper feeding, which will be comfortable for mother and baby.

Properly established breastfeeding will help prevent cracks and abrasions of the nipple area. In addition, if the baby is uncomfortable during feeding, or he does not receive enough milk, he may soon refuse to breastfeed altogether.

There are several signs that allow a young mother to understand that the baby has correctly grasped the nipple:

1. When feeding a newborn, a woman after childbirth should experience cramping sensations in the lower abdomen, possibly increasing the discharge of lochia. This is caused by the active production of the hormone oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract.
2. The baby does not make sounds with his lips and breathes through his nose. Correct latching of the breast creates a vacuum in the baby's cavity, necessary for the outflow of milk.
3. A woman should not feel pain. If the mother experiences discomfort during feeding, and then finds severe redness on the mammary glands, it means that the baby was not suckling properly.
4. If you attach the baby to the breast correctly, then in his mouth he will have not only the nipple, but also the entire areola.

Following these rules will relieve both mother and baby from any discomfort during feeding. To understand how to establish breastfeeding, it will be enough to practice several times.

Feeding positions

According to current recommendations of the World Health Organization, infant feeding should occur on demand. However, immediately after giving birth, a young mother is faced with the fact that the baby can suck constantly, even while sleeping. To prevent these hours of feeding from becoming torture for a woman, you need to know how to feed a newborn with breast milk in a comfortable position. Having found a comfortable position for herself, the mother will be able not only to admire the baby, but also to have fun or relax. There are several most common feeding positions:

1. “Cradle”: the mother sits on a chair or armchair, holding the baby’s head in the crook of her elbow. When a woman remains in this position for a long time, her muscles become very tense. Today, there are special pillows for feeding that allow you to remove most of the load from the mother’s back and arms.
2. “Relaxation” is a comfortable position. This position allows the baby to be properly attached during feeding and allows the mother to rest during breastfeeding. In this case, the woman lies on her side, her head is on the pillow and her shoulders are lower.
3. Feeding in a sling is especially loved by many mothers, as it allows them to breastfeed their baby and do household chores at the same time.

A young mother should pay attention to the fact that during feeding, only the part of the mammary gland towards which the baby’s chin is directed during feeding is emptied. Therefore, to prevent milk stagnation, it is worth changing positions throughout the day.

How often should you feed your baby?

Many young mothers wonder: by the clock or according to the child’s wishes? In the first months after birth, children need the breast not only because of hunger, but also to quench thirst, calm down, and feel close to their mother. Therefore, modern experts recommend feeding the baby when he himself shows a desire to suck.

Correct attachment to the breast involves the mother's reaction to the signals that the baby gives. A hungry baby begins to groan, show restlessness, fiddle with his fingers in the air, smack his lips or cry.

The baby may eat hastily and greedily or, conversely, suck slowly, interrupting periodically. It depends on the child’s character and his activity. If the baby swam in the bathtub, crawled and walked with his mother, then he would become much hungrier than the baby who woke up at night.

On average, proper attachment of a baby to the breast takes at least 20-25 minutes. During this period, the baby manages to receive both foremilk, which is watery, and hindmilk, which is thicker and rich in nutrients.

In the first weeks after the baby is born, feedings can last several hours. This is explained by the need of a newborn child to constantly maintain contact with the mother. The older the baby is, the less time it will take to feed him.

Hiccups and regurgitation after feeding

Regurgitation accompanies almost every breastfeeding of a newborn. In some babies, after sucking, milk comes out of the mouth and nose in a strong stream. Normally, the volume of regurgitation is 10-15 ml.

Belching in a baby occurs due to air entering the stomach during sucking. Therefore, you need to ensure that the baby takes into his mouth not only the nipple, but also the skin of the areola. This will prevent him from swallowing excess air. In addition, you need to follow a simple rule: after feeding, so as not to provoke, hold the baby upright or let him lie quietly on his side for at least 15-20 minutes.

Hiccups in a baby usually worry parents more than the baby itself. The child has not yet established a stable connection between the brain and the diaphragm, which is why such rhythmic muscle spasms may periodically occur. If hiccups do not cause your baby much concern, then there is nothing terrible about them. Breastfeed your newborn, pat him on the back and cover him warmly. After some time, the diaphragm muscles will relax and the hiccups will go away.

Problems with breastfeeding

The longer the nursing period continues, the better. Experts recommend maintaining breastfeeding for at least the first year of a child’s life.

However, how to breastfeed correctly if the baby does not want to suck? A baby may refuse milk if it is bitter or has an unpleasant aftertaste. In this case, the problem can be solved by following a diet. A young mother should eliminate spicy and smoked foods from her diet and add more fruits and high-protein foods to the menu.

In addition, if the baby has difficulty sucking the required amount of milk, he may cry from hunger, have trouble gaining weight and, in the end, refuse to latch on at all. This can be corrected by placing the baby for feeding so that the breast hangs over him. This position will increase the flow of milk, and it will be easier for the baby to suck.

Lack of milk

If a baby is attached to the breast and sucks greedily, but after a few minutes drops the nipple and starts crying, then the mother probably does not have enough milk. When lactation is reduced, the baby may not eat enough, constantly reach for the breast, chew on the nipple and cry often. What to do to increase your milk supply?

In order not to provoke hypolactation, a young mother should protect herself from unnecessary stress and anxiety. Milk is secreted from the alveoli of the mammary glands under the influence of oxytocin. When a woman is nervous, hormone production decreases.

Proper attachment during breastfeeding is of great importance. Breast milk contains a lot of useful substances, gives the baby a strong immune system and the basis for healthy development. Properly organized breastfeeding serves as the key to a strong emotional connection between mother and baby and gives the child strong immunity.