The first days of feeding a newborn baby - for each mother a very difficult and critical period. Not all babies immediately begin to correctly grab the chest or bottle. Some mothers do not have enough milk, and they have to resort to artificial feeding, but I really want to preserve natural lactation.
Feeding schedule
How to feed a newborn with breast milk? Many mothers are interested in this, having encountered motherhood for the first time. It is worth noting that the baby is still unconsciously committing his actions. They are driven by reflexes and instincts. Therefore, some things mom has to adjust to the newborn on her own. For example: the correct grip of the nipple, the position of the baby during feeding, and more.
From the first days after birth, the baby is given the opportunity to feel hunger and satiety. Therefore, to feel when the baby wants to eat, absolutely for any mother is not difficult.
Watch the baby carefully, and soon you will easily be able to understand when he is sucking a breast or a bottle for pleasure, and when - to satisfy hunger. Do not let the baby suck just to calm her down. If you try to reduce such moments to a minimum, then it will be much easier to establish a feeding regime, and the child will show when he wants to eat with his behavior.
On average, babies need breast milk every four hours, and you can teach your baby to use the regimen in just one week. Moreover, a properly established schedule will help in the future to deal with colic and regurgitation.
Feeding poses
As you know, breast milk passes antibodies from mother to baby, which help the baby’s body to fight bacteria and viruses. It has been established that breastfeeding reduces the risk of allergies and asthma. Children who eat mother’s milk in the first six months of life are less likely to get sick and less susceptible to respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
If you are a supporter of prolonged hepatitis B, you need to read information on how to properly breastfeed a newborn. The recommendations of pediatricians and experienced mothers are similar. The only proper feeding position for an individual baby does not exist. Here you need to focus on the comfort of mom and baby.
How to properly feed a newborn with breast milk while lying down? Specialists in the field of breastfeeding recommend that mothers change their poses as often as possible, so it will be much easier for a baby to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from milk.
Feeding a baby lying down is the most comfortable posture that meets all the parameters for proper breastfeeding.
Application Rules
Before proceeding to the first application of the crumbs to the breast, the mother should know how to properly feed the newborn:
- The baby’s nose should be pressed to the mother’s breast so that it does not interfere with the even and proper breathing of the baby.
- Mom should not experience pain during feeding, and the baby should suckle in a calm state. If this does not happen, then it is necessary to pay attention to the correct grip of the nipple during feeding.
- The child should completely capture the areola with his mouth, and the lips should be turned out.
Burping air
It often happens that a baby, along with a mixture or milk, swallows air, which can cause “false” saturation. Therefore, the mother should take small, but regular breaks between feedings, so that the crumbs have the opportunity to burp the air. Such changes will help the baby to feel hunger again and finish his prescribed portion. Timely burping of air also reduces the risk of colic.
During breaks, try to carry the baby in the “column” position - a semi-direct or straight position with the back to the mother’s stomach. You can take the crumbs on your shoulder so that his arms lie on your back. Do not forget to put a napkin, as the baby with air can burp part of the food.
What to consider
Even with excellent amounts of milk in the mother’s breast, it’s important to follow some guidelines.
Lactation depends on how soon the mother put the newborn on the breast. After the birth of the crumbs, the midwife must bring the baby. First, colostrum is secreted from the mother’s breast, and the baby only needs a couple of minutes of sucking to fall asleep. Such a laborious process tires the baby. The first fluid from the mother’s breast transmits to the newborn many antibodies that can protect the baby from infections, bacteria and viruses.
HB should be as comfortable as possible for mom and baby.
- Choose a comfortable pose.
- Mom can feed while lying, and the baby should lie sideways.
- The body position of the baby should be straight.
- In no case do not exert pressure on the head of the crumbs. Try to hold him by the back or shoulders.
If the baby is naughty, then first calm him down, and only after that start feeding. Experimenting with different poses, you will soon find convenient for you. Moreover, attention should be paid to information on how to properly feed a newborn lying down.
And what about night feeds? Do not wake the crumbs, if it is time for him to eat by the clock. Follow the on-demand mode. As soon as the baby wants to eat, he will independently inform about it by a hungry cry. This mode has a positive effect on the development of emotional stability.
Is pumping necessary? Stagnation of milk in the chest can cause serious problems and troubles.
Therefore, mom needs to express herself on time. True, in this matter, the opinions of experts are divided.
Such a procedure can be performed both manually and with the help of special devices.
Need a bottle
Among pediatricians there is an opinion that if the baby is on mixed feeding, it is not recommended to use a bottle. The baby is able to quickly get used to a comfortable nipple and abandon her mother’s breast. Therefore, it is customary to replace the bottle with a syringe or a spoon.
Today, a system with a tube is very popular, capable of replacing natural feeding as comfortably as possible. First, mom should give the baby a chest, and then feed them using a special device.
When the baby feeds only on the mixture, and the return to the GW is not planned, this rule does not apply. The kid can easily use the bottle. How to feed a newborn from a bottle? Parents should pay special attention to the quality of this item when buying. Dishes should be made of safe materials marked “0+”.
Glass bottles are very easy to clean and sterilize with boiling water. They have a long service life. The disadvantage is very significant - such dishes beat, which is extremely unsafe for the baby and not only. Plastic bottles made from quality material are the safest to use, but they have to be changed very often. This is due to the fact that the plastic wears out, and in the process of boiling loses its attractive appearance and shape.
Preparation for feeding
After reviewing the recommendations on how to properly feed the newborn with the mixture, you can proceed to the next step. Preparation for feeding the baby should be carried out in advance. You should have clean bottles and nipples ready. Before starting to prepare the mixture, mom should wash her hands thoroughly with soap.
Before preparing the mixture, carefully read the instructions on the packaging. Do not make mistakes with the addition of fluid, otherwise the baby may get dehydrated or not enough vitamins and minerals.
Although there is an opinion that the finished mixture should be stored in the refrigerator for a day, try to cook a fresh food product for the baby every time. If for any reason you are an opponent of this point of view, then heat the milk in a water bath.
Most infant formulas are diluted with boiled water at an average temperature of 36-37 degrees. This is an important nuance of the process in how to properly feed the newborn with the mixture. Before you offer milk to karapuz, drip yourself on the back of your hand. If the temperature is comfortable, you can safely offer the child.
Wear a protective collar or bib for the baby, and lay a towel on yourself. If you regurgitate during feeding, you and the baby will remain clean. When choosing a bottle, it is very important to pay attention to age restrictions: from 0-3-6-12 months, etc. The fact is that this information implies the pressure of milk from the nipple. The smaller the baby, the weaker the leakage should be. Normally, for a newborn, when the bottle is tilted, it should just drip.
A few minutes before the next feeding, you can spread the crumbs on the tummy, but only under constant supervision. If the baby is naughty, dissatisfied or annoyed with something, then you should not immediately offer a bottle. The baby needs to be reassured and wait when he is hungry.
How to feed newborns with mixed feeding? The schedule should be observed on average every 4 hours between meals, but try to give preference to the "on demand" mode. In this case, the risk of overeating is reduced.
To feed the bottle as comfortable as possible, mom should follow a certain technique:
- When feeding, keep the bottle at a slight slope so that the nipple spout is filled with the mixture.
- Milk should completely fill the nipple.
- Avoid the upright position of the bottle. This increases the pressure, and the baby may choke or choke.
- Do not screw the nipple ring tightly. Air must not enter the bottle. Although in the modern market of children's goods a lot of dishes with a well-thought-out system are already presented.
- During feeding, the baby must be kept horizontal with his head slightly raised.
- Take regular breaks so that the baby spits up air and can continue the “comfortable” milk absorption process.
- In no case do not leave the crumbs alone with a bottle.
As soon as the crumbs are full, take the bottle and take the baby on the arms in an upright position - “column”, and give the baby to regurgitate for 5-10 minutes.
Extension of lactation with mixed feeding
Many young mothers are wondering about how to properly feed the newborn mixed. There is a proven relationship between the amount of milk in the mother and the applications. Accordingly, if you apply crumbs to the chest as often as possible, then lactation will be better.
To prolong the possibility of natural feeding, the mother should breast-feed the baby only after breast milk. For this purpose, modern HS simulation systems can be used. This works on a very interesting principle. The baby sucks mom’s breasts, but receives milk from the system. The plus is that the baby maintains an emotional connection with the mother, and the mother receives additional stimulation for the lactation process.
If the mother works, then lactation can be supported by decantation, but at least every two hours, and feed the crumbs in the morning, evening and at night upon request.
Signs of lack or excess of mixture
If the baby overeats, he:
- often spits up;
- sleeps poorly and is naughty regularly;
- pulls the legs to the tummy, thereby giving a signal of bouts of pain in the abdomen;
- experiencing gas formation and flatulence;
- he is sick after feeding;
- gaining weight quickly.
If the child eats little, he:
- weak and inactive;
- sleeps poorly;
- walks little "big" and "small";
- crying and acting up during the feeding process;
- sucks fingers or the edge of a diaper;
- the baby lags behind the norm in weight or does not gain it at all.
Emotional connection
How to properly breastfeed a newborn while lying on its side and what role in the life of a baby who has recently been born, is mother's milk, we have already examined. But do not rely on the fact that GV is the main foundation in building a trusting relationship with the baby, because there is still a very significant aspect: tactile contact. It is very important for newborn babies to feel their mother's care, tenderness and love. When the mother is nearby, the baby always feels safe and secure. Touching and stroking the mother is very important, and breastfeeding helps create a strong emotional connection with the baby.
It can not be argued that applying to the chest contributes to a more rapid establishment of close contact. But when feeding a bottle, you can also achieve a positive effect. It is enough to gently hold the crumb to yourself while feeding. The baby will feel warmth and tenderness. Moreover, when feeding with a bottle, an emotional connection can be established not only with mom, but also with dad, and even grandmother.
Breast milk is, of course, the best that nature has come up with for a newborn baby. But if mom does not have enough, you should not torment the baby with hunger, it is better to choose mixed feeding of newborns. How to properly feed the newborn with milk, the above article will tell. Moreover, most mixtures today are made taking into account all the needs and characteristics of a small organism.
For the correct process of feeding breast milk or a mixture, mother only needs to know a few rules. HS is completely invented by nature, it is inherent in every woman. Therefore, there should not be any problems.
Do not forget that a warm and gentle relationship with the child can be built not only through breastfeeding, but simply with regular tactile contact.