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Breast Feeding

Breast Feeding

Being a mother is the most beautiful feeling. And you want to do everything just right. Let's start with nourishment and feeding your baby. What to do and what not to do?

Breast-feeding is the gold standard of infant feeding. It gives babies important immune protection, as well as overwhelming health and emotional benefits. Your decision to breast-feed is a personal one, dependent on many factors. Here are some breast-feeding basics to get you started.

Baby's first feeding
The best time to start breast-feeding is within 20 to 30 minutes of the baby's birth if there are no complications with delivery. In addition to the benefits of bonding and immune protection, breast-feeding also releases oxytocin, a hormone that helps shrink the mother's uterus back down to its normal size.

For the first few days, feedings may last about 10 minutes on each breast. Later, feedings will last about 10 to 20 minutes at each breast. It's normal for a baby to nurse every 11/2 to 3 hours for the first few weeks. Newborns need to eat often because they have small stomachs and breast milk is easily digested. Eventually the time between feedings may lengthen to 3 or 4 hours.

Every baby and nursing mother is different. With time, most mothers and babies find a feeding style and schedule that are uniquely their own.

Building up a milk supply.
Your milk supply is a matter of "supply and demand" -- the more your baby demands, the more your body will make. So you can feel comfortable nursing as often as your baby wants.

During the first few weeks at home, caring for the baby will take up most of your time and energy--as it should! You will need to take care of yourself, too: get plenty of rest, sleep when your baby sleeps, eat well, and drink plenty of fluids.

You can keep your milk supply evenly distributed between both breasts by alternating the breast you offer to the baby first. Mark your bra strap with a safety pin as a helpful reminder of which breast you offered first at the last feeding.

Is my baby getting enough?

You can be sure your baby is eating well if baby has 6 or more wet diapers and 2-3 stools each day (after your milk comes in), shows a steady increase in weight (check baby's weight at 1 to 2 weeks following birth), has an alert, healthy appearance, and you can feel baby sucking and hear baby swallowing while feeding.

Fuel for mom
Your fuel supply for milk production comes from two sources: energy stored as body fat during pregnancy and extra energy from food choices. Adding an extra serving or so from each food group during the day provides the extra energy and nutrients you need. Use the Food Guide Pyramid for Breast-feeding Women (shown below) as your guide to healthful eating.