Feeding should ideally begin soon after birth. However, the process of starting to feed has to begin much earlier.
When feeding issues should be first discussed?
The period of time just before and following soon after the process of giving birth can a very stressful one for some parents. This will not be the right time to make decisions on baby feeding.
Perhaps the best time to begin the discussion on this issue is at the time when one comes to know about pregnancy or sometime within the early months of pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a time period when all parents are very receptive to counseling and discussions. This state of receptiveness is the ideal time to initiate a discussion on the baby's feeding.
Decision on what to feedThis is a decision that needs to be made by the couple. The options available are breastfeeding and artificial feeding. Most mothers express a strong desire to breastfeed, however this is not universal.
Every couple should gather information on feeding options and make a decision based on the information obtained.
Breastfeeding is the recommended ideal feeding practice and this needs to be discussed and support provided.
Preparing to breastfeed
The preparation begins early in the pregnancy. This is done by acquiring knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding [this will increase the level of commitment from the mother], discuss with experienced mothers and breastfeeding counselors [to help understand the common problems with feeding and their solutions and also get a feeling of the rewards from the experience].
Some women would like to prepare by purchasing maternity clothing that helps with breastfeeding [clothes and under garments].
Nothing needs to be done to the breast during pregnancy to improve breastfeeding. The breasts would need to be examined by the Obstetrician or Nurse after the 6th month of pregnancy to help identify the possibility of difficulty with feeding. Prior to this there is no need for such an assessment as the breast changes related to pregnancy are still ongoing. Interventions before 6th month of pregnancy have not been known to affect feeding.
The first feed.
This should happen as soon after birth as possible; ideally within the first half an hour of birth.
This is important because the baby has a period of alertness during this period lasting about 30 to 45 minutes [approximate]. This alert period should be used for feeding, as following this period baby has shorter cycles of alertness on the first few days.
The early feeding would also prevent the baby developing low blood glucose. Feeding soon after birth has advantages to the mother too. It helps to contract the uterus helping both in the delivery of the placenta and in controlling the bleeding after birth.
Babies are born with an inherent reflex to suckle even from this early period and need no teaching to feed or suckle.
What should happen after the first feed?
That was a good beginning. Following the first feed, the baby should be fed as and when he wants to. This may be every half an hour or 2 hours. It is up to the baby, his hunger is the impulse that should control the frequency of feeding. It is wrong to enforce a timed schedule.
Frequent feeding is important to help increase the volume of milk produced. The total volume of milk and its character would change with each passing day. Suckling and emptying of the breast at feeds is the stimulus in the mother to increasing milk production.
Breast feeding should be an enjoyable experience. It is essential that all new mothers receive support from trained counselors and or experienced mothers.
When feeding issues should be first discussed?
The period of time just before and following soon after the process of giving birth can a very stressful one for some parents. This will not be the right time to make decisions on baby feeding.
Perhaps the best time to begin the discussion on this issue is at the time when one comes to know about pregnancy or sometime within the early months of pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a time period when all parents are very receptive to counseling and discussions. This state of receptiveness is the ideal time to initiate a discussion on the baby's feeding.
Decision on what to feedThis is a decision that needs to be made by the couple. The options available are breastfeeding and artificial feeding. Most mothers express a strong desire to breastfeed, however this is not universal.
Every couple should gather information on feeding options and make a decision based on the information obtained.
Breastfeeding is the recommended ideal feeding practice and this needs to be discussed and support provided.
Preparing to breastfeed
The preparation begins early in the pregnancy. This is done by acquiring knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding [this will increase the level of commitment from the mother], discuss with experienced mothers and breastfeeding counselors [to help understand the common problems with feeding and their solutions and also get a feeling of the rewards from the experience].
Some women would like to prepare by purchasing maternity clothing that helps with breastfeeding [clothes and under garments].
Nothing needs to be done to the breast during pregnancy to improve breastfeeding. The breasts would need to be examined by the Obstetrician or Nurse after the 6th month of pregnancy to help identify the possibility of difficulty with feeding. Prior to this there is no need for such an assessment as the breast changes related to pregnancy are still ongoing. Interventions before 6th month of pregnancy have not been known to affect feeding.
The first feed.
This should happen as soon after birth as possible; ideally within the first half an hour of birth.
This is important because the baby has a period of alertness during this period lasting about 30 to 45 minutes [approximate]. This alert period should be used for feeding, as following this period baby has shorter cycles of alertness on the first few days.
The early feeding would also prevent the baby developing low blood glucose. Feeding soon after birth has advantages to the mother too. It helps to contract the uterus helping both in the delivery of the placenta and in controlling the bleeding after birth.
Babies are born with an inherent reflex to suckle even from this early period and need no teaching to feed or suckle.
What should happen after the first feed?
That was a good beginning. Following the first feed, the baby should be fed as and when he wants to. This may be every half an hour or 2 hours. It is up to the baby, his hunger is the impulse that should control the frequency of feeding. It is wrong to enforce a timed schedule.
Frequent feeding is important to help increase the volume of milk produced. The total volume of milk and its character would change with each passing day. Suckling and emptying of the breast at feeds is the stimulus in the mother to increasing milk production.
Breast feeding should be an enjoyable experience. It is essential that all new mothers receive support from trained counselors and or experienced mothers.
التسميات: breast feeding, starting feeds
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