The ABCs of Breastfeeding
Proper technique is important to make sure the process goes smoothly and the baby consumes enough milk. In addition to techniques, you will have plenty of questions as to how much, when, and how long. Take the time to get the advice, support, education, and encouragement you need from a lactation consultant, pediatrician, family, friends, and support groups.
How Often to Breastfeed
If you have chosen to breastfeed, the process should begin as soon as possible after birth. Babies who are breastfed tend to feed more often than babies who are formula fed. Breastfed babies generally eat eight to twelve times per day. This is basically because breastfed babies stomachs empty more quickly since breast milk is so easy to digest. The baby should eat until she is full, usually ten to fifteen minutes per breast. At first, most newborns want to eat every few hours, both during the day and at night. Babies generally eat on demand when they are hungry. However, to make sure your baby is eating enough in the beginning weeks, wake her up if she has not eaten in more than four hours. Look for signs from your baby that she is hungry, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting around the breast. Crying seems to be more of a later sign of hunger. As your baby gets older and becomes alert for longer periods of time, you can more easily settle into a routine schedule of feeding every three hours or so with fewer sessions at night. By the end of the first month, babies will generally start sleeping longer throughout the night.
Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk
A worry for many breastfeeding moms is whether the newborn is getting enough to eat. With formulas, you are able to tell exactly how many ounces the baby has consumed, but with breastfeeding this is harder to identify. It may seem at first that the baby is hungry all the time, which makes some moms wonder if he has had enough. This is completely normal. Babies should be hungry quite often because breast milk is digested within a couple of hours after consumption. After the baby's first few days of life, he will want to nurse about eight to twelve times per day. The baby should be fed on demand, with no worry about schedules, until you have breastfeeding down pat and can begin to recognize your baby's own schedule. The baby's pediatrician will be able to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat by how much weight he gains at each visit.
There are other ways to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat. After the fifth day of birth, she should have at least six to eight wet diapers per day and three to four loose yellow stools per day. She is most likely getting enough if she is nursing at least ten to fifteen minutes on each breast. Your baby should show steady weight gain after the first week of age. Her urine should be pale yellow and not deep yellow or orange. You should find your baby wanting to eat at least every two to three hours or at least eight times per day for at least the first two to three weeks. In addition, she should have good skin color. If you become concerned about whether your baby is getting enough to eat, contact your pediatrician or lactation consultant. Babies who are not getting enough to eat can become easily dehydrated.
Fact: In general, most babies lose a little weight, 5 to 10 percent of their birth weight, in their first few days of life. They should start to gain at least 1 ounce per day by the fifth day after birth and be back to their birth weight by two weeks after birth.
Is Breast Milk Enough?
During the first six months of life, most babies who are breastfeeding will not require any additional water, juices, vitamins, iron, or formula. With sound breastfeeding practices, supplements are rarely needed because breast milk provides the infant with just about all the fluids and nutrients he needs for proper growth and development. By six months of age, it is generally recommended that babies be introduced to foods that contain iron in addition to breast milk.
While the water supply in most U.S. cities and towns contains plenty of fluoride, a mineral often found in tap water that is important for strong teeth and prevention of cavities, in certain rural areas the levels can be too low. Breast milk contains very low levels of fluoride. However, babies under six months of age should not be given fluoride supplements, even if levels in your water supply are low.