How to feed a newborn with breast milk. Breastfeeding newborns and infants

14.10.202327.05.2017

Most mothers try natural feeding while in the hospital. It is advisable to give your baby breastfeeding within the first 60 minutes after birth. Experienced midwives help attach the baby and talk about the peculiarities of feeding. If you haven’t immediately figured out how to properly feed your newborn with breast milk, there’s nothing wrong with that. You can master breastfeeding with simple tips.

Before you put your newborn to your breast for the first time, you need to find a position in which you can spend half an hour without discomfort. You have 3 options:

sitting;
standing;
lying on your side.

Most women choose a lying position for the first feeding, since after childbirth it is almost impossible to remain in an upright position for a long time. Until complete recovery, you need to feed the baby while lying on your side to protect yourself from unpleasant sensations. If you choose this option, then check out how to properly position your newborn for feeding while lying on his side:

Release your chest on the side you are lying on.
Place your baby with his stomach facing you so that his head is against his chest.
Bring the nipple to the baby's mouth, he will immediately try to take it. When sucking, the entire areola should be in the baby’s mouth, which means that the grip is done correctly.

A sitting position is comfortable. This position allows mothers to feed two babies at the same time. In the maternity hospital, this position can be uncomfortable, since you will have to keep your arms suspended on the bed, and there will be no support for your back. If you have a spacious chair at home, then feed the baby while sitting in it, placing your hands on the armrest.

While sitting, two infants can be fed at the same time, placing them on a special pillow in the “under-arm” position.

The standing pose is rarely used, as it puts too much stress on the spine and arms. It is used only by women who have had stitches in the perineum after natural childbirth. They need to lean on the table to reduce the load on the spine and legs. At the first opportunity, the position is changed. It is also recommended when the baby does not latch onto the breast correctly while lying on a bed that is too soft or uncomfortable.

A light massage of the mammary gland using circular movements will ensure a flow of milk.

Breastfeeding experts give some tips on how to properly position your baby for feeding:

place it on its side facing you;
the chin and cheeks must be pressed to the chest, and there must be free space between the gland and the nose;
bring the nipple to the newborn - he will take it himself;
there should be no pulling sensations (their appearance means that the baby is too low);
If there is a nipple without an areola in the newborn's mouth, immediately release the breast (gently press the corner of the baby's mouth with your little finger, adjust the breast and offer it to the newborn again).

Evaluate the result: if the baby has enough air and he has latched onto the nipple correctly, leave it until he is full. The first seconds of feeding can cause unpleasant sensations in a young mother due to the fact that the skin on the nipples has not yet become rough enough. Until this happens, the woman will experience pain when the nipple is grabbed. The application is done correctly if there is no discomfort. When feeding, only the baby's swallowing should be heard.

Learn in advance how to properly latch your baby to the breast, as mistakes in this process can lead to:

capturing tiny bits of air;
colic in a baby;
the appearance of cracks in the nipples;
injuries to the milk ducts.

If you feel pain throughout the feeding session, the cause is often poor grip of the areola. The baby's lips should be located on its edge.

During one feeding, do not give the second breast. Ideally, you should offer the baby a different mammary gland each time. If you follow this rule, then the baby is guaranteed to eat fore and hind milk, which will allow him to eat fully and balancedly, and receive a full set of vitamins and useful microelements.

There is an exception to the rule of using one breast per application. It can be neglected if not enough milk is produced.

How can you tell if your baby is full?

In addition to knowing how to properly attach a baby to the breast, mothers need to receive information about the signs of satiety of the baby. After all, it is very easy to overfeed a baby, for whom every feeding session is an opportunity to feel the protection and support of the mother.

The baby is full if he:

behaves calmly;
cheerful after the process is completed;
gains sufficient weight according to WHO standards;
released the breast on his own;
After feeding, he falls asleep soundly or goes on to active activities.

If a newborn is often capricious, anxious, or crying, then before giving him both breasts at one feeding, it is necessary to carry out a control weighing. It is held once a week. If, after a seven-day period, the child’s weight has become higher, it is necessary to look for another reason for crying.

Signs of overeating are:

regurgitation after feeding;
rapid weight gain exceeding established norms;
increased gas formation, leading to colic and abdominal pain.

Regurgitation can be a sign of a neurological disorder, so it is important to monitor the child’s health and visit doctors in a timely manner. If your pediatrician notices signs of overeating in your baby, release the nipple 15-20 minutes after the start of feeding. When overeating, do not try to reduce lactation, this often leads to its complete loss.

Baby feeding time

The question of the time of each meal cannot be resolved unambiguously. The duration of one feeding session depends on the individual characteristics of the child. Some babies eat actively and quickly, so only 10 minutes are enough for them to be satisfied. Other kids enjoy the process for a long time; it takes them more than 40 minutes. In the first month of life, you should not interrupt feeding yourself. Gradually, the newborn will adjust the duration of sucking.

Experts consider a feeding session lasting up to 30 minutes to be correct. It may last longer if the baby is premature or weakened. If the baby falls asleep with the breast in his mouth, then you just need to release the nipple and transfer it to the crib. For newborns, sleeping after feeding is considered normal.

If you are interested in the total duration of breastfeeding, then it is selected individually. You should stop breastfeeding after one year. After the first 6 months of life, you can gradually replace feedings with complementary foods, which will prepare the baby’s digestive system to accept normal food, and the mother will gradually reduce lactation.

It is important not only to know how to breastfeed, but also to learn how to maintain time intervals. Doctors recommend applying the baby hourly, but it is best to do it on demand. Breaks can be from 15 minutes to 2 hours, and during night sleep the interval increases. If the baby is calm and does not require breastfeeding, then after 3-4 hours you should independently offer him something to eat. Don't wake your baby to breastfeed. A well-fed baby will not sleep peacefully; he will independently demand food.

What not to do?

If you know how to attach your baby when feeding, this does not mean that you do not have other questions. The process of breastfeeding is very difficult, and young mothers often make mistakes that negatively affect the lactation process.

Another mistake is frequent weighing. If the baby slowly gains weight, the mother begins to give him an artificial formula. It acts as additional nutrition or completely replaces natural nutrition. Find out your child’s body weight no more than 4 times a month, then you will be able to objectively assess the changes.

Solving difficult situations

Before you properly attach your baby to the breast, you need to prepare for possible problems with lactation.

Small inverted nipples usually change their shape before childbirth. If this does not happen, then you can change the feeding position, stretch out the flat nipple yourself, and use silicone pads. Many people believe that small, tight breasts can become an obstacle. This is not a problem: it is enough to express for 1-2 weeks so that the baby can get his own food. During lactation, the mammary glands can increase by 1-2 sizes - just a couple of weeks after giving birth, small breasts will change, and it will be convenient to feed.

Before giving birth, you should not solve the problem of excessively tight breasts and incorrect nipple anatomy, since touching the breasts can cause the production of the hormone oxytocin.

Cracks are not a reason to refuse natural feeding. Until they heal, use silicone pads for feeding, and between applications, apply Bepanten ointment and take air baths. Make sure that the medicinal composition does not get into the child’s mouth. Sometimes, in order to get rid of cracks, you need to learn again how to properly breastfeed, since improper grip of the areola leads to nipple injuries.

In the first 3 months after the start of lactation, every young mother faces the problem of random leakage of milk. Any woman will not like walking around with milk stains on clothes in the chest area, so use special disposable pads that fit into your bra.

More frequent breastfeeding or pumping can help prevent breast engorgement. Take a warm shower and do a light massage before feeding. As a folk remedy, you can use cabbage leaf compresses. After feeding, apply a cold compress to relieve swelling.

Lactation crises do not mean that it is time to stop feeding the baby. There is less milk, but this situation can be overcome: drink tea with cumin and fennel, eat right, and rest. During the first year of a baby's life, you will encounter crises at least 3 times.

Mothers often independently program themselves for failure. It is worth understanding that feeding is a natural process that is available to every woman after childbirth. You should not neglect it, even if you want to restore your figure faster. Losing weight can be combined with feeding the baby. Do not use diets: the diet of a nursing mother should be complete. It is worth excluding only sweets, products with chemical dyes and those that can cause an allergic reaction in a child. If you are used to creating a menu for yourself, keep in mind that its calorie content should be slightly higher than the norm for adult women. The diet must include fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.

Karina is a regular expert on the PupsFull portal. She writes articles about games, pregnancy, parenting and learning, child care and the health of mother and child.

Articles written

Often, a young mother does not yet know all the intricacies of feeding a baby, so the question of how to properly feed a newborn with breast milk is the most important for her.

Breast milk is a natural food that provides the baby with good digestion, stimulates mental development, can protect the baby from many diseases, and also promotes the formation of immunity.

Features of GW

Breastfeeding newborns can cause a lot of fear and anxiety in the early days and weeks.

But believe me, everything is simple here.

Put in a little effort and time, understand the basic laws of breastfeeding, and then you will watch with a smile as your baby gains weight, grows and develops.

Let's agree right away: immediately before feeding, there is no need to carry out hygiene procedures, which include rinsing the entire breast with cool water, with or without soap. I also don’t wash the nipple.

Important: The protective glands of Mangomery are located on the areola. They produce a protective secretion that prevents infection of the breast, protects it from drying out and cracked nipples.

Application rules

The preparatory stage has already been completed, and now you need to figure out how to properly attach a newborn baby when feeding.

The first thing to do is get comfortable. Feeding a newborn in the first weeks after birth is a long process. The baby can spend from 10 to 60 minutes at the breast, perfectly combining feeding and sleep.

An equally important problem is the formation of cracks, due to which feeding becomes a rather painful process.

To prevent their formation, you can use your own milk, which has antibacterial properties, and lubricate your breasts after each feeding.

Thanks to the special substances contained in breast milk, the healing process proceeds much faster, and new inflammation is also prevented.

Favorable positions for feeding

Choosing a feeding position is no less important for a young mother. There are a lot of options for the arrangement of mother and baby, the main condition is convenience and comfort, because the process can take up to 15 minutes, as a result of which, instead of pleasure, the mother will get a bad mood and painful sensations in the back or arm.

Each mother has her own ideal position in which she feels comfortable feeding her baby while enjoying the process. But while there is no experience in this matter, you can experiment a little and try feeding in a lying or sitting position.

So, how to properly position a newborn for lying down feeding?

You need to start feeding by lying on your side. The child is located next to the mother in the same position. The prepared breast is directed into the baby's mouth.

This feeding option will be very convenient while the mother has not yet fully recovered from childbirth. Only the mother decides which side to lie on, especially since during the feeding process the breast is given alternately: right or left. If the previous feeding ended on the right breast, then the next feeding should begin on the left.

You can use the pose in a sitting position. This feeding option is popular among many mothers, but to do this you need to know how to properly position a newborn for sitting feeding?

Mom can sit either on the edge of the bed, with her legs hanging down, or rest her back on the wall. In this case, your feet must be placed on a pillow. This will allow you to comfortably attach the baby, placing him right under the chest.

In addition, this position allows you to experiment with the position of the baby. You can place the baby with his legs along his stomach or armpit.

This feeding is especially convenient for mothers of twins, due to the simultaneous feeding of two babies at once.

Baby feeding frequency

In order not to make a mistake and not leave your baby hungry, you need to know how often to feed your newborn with breast milk. Following modern trends that practice “feeding on demand”, it is necessary to attach the baby at his first request and not take him away until he wants it. In this case, milk production in the breast will be exactly the amount needed for your baby.

Important: This feeding principle is only suitable for breastfeeding, since artificial formulas have a longer absorption period.

Also watch my video on on-demand feeding:

Does the baby have enough milk?

It is necessary to remember that all children are individual, so the mother should answer the question of how to determine that the child is getting enough breast milk by watching her baby.

You cannot overfeed your baby with breast milk; he will eat exactly as much as he needs to be full.

The break between feedings can be from 15 minutes to 2 hours. The signal for feeding will be a whim, crying, opening of the baby's mouth (as if he is looking for a nipple). By putting your baby to your breast as soon as you want, you will save your nerves and make your baby’s life easier.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the baby’s weight, or rather, its increase over the month. If the child has gained 500 grams or more, it means the child is eating enough milk.

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).

Initial 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.

Returning home

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 milk

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 your “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.

Pay attention! 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 you are tired, have 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 other family members. A proper diet will ensure maximum comfort for the baby and adults.

More useful tips about breastfeeding in the following video:

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova

Reading time: 10 minutes

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Article last updated: 04/28/2019

Loving parents are always concerned about the health of their baby, and in infancy, nutrition is undoubtedly the most important thing. Pediatricians recommend that all women breastfeed their children naturally. Studies show that breastfed children suffer less from allergic reactions, obesity and diabetes, they have higher immunity and are less likely to have speech defects. The composition of human milk is unique; even the best formulas have not become its complete analogue. Nature made sure that it was ideal for a newborn. Lactation problems that occur in mothers are often associated with a lack of knowledge about how to breastfeed correctly.

First breastfeeding

For several days after giving birth, the mother does not have milk; only a small amount of colostrum is produced. Don't worry that there is too little of it and the child will be hungry. For a newborn, only 20-30 ml is enough. Colostrum is much superior to milk in the concentration of proteins, vitamins and microelements. But the content of fats and carbohydrates in it is reduced. This helps populate the baby’s intestines with beneficial microflora and clear it of meconium, reducing the likelihood of newborn jaundice.

The immune system of a newborn is in its infancy. Immunoglobulins contained in colostrum will become the baby’s first defenders against infections.

Nowadays, maternity hospitals practice early latching of a newborn to the breast. In addition to preventing possible problems with lactation, early application causes contraction of the mother's uterus and accelerates the separation of the placenta.

Contraindications to early breastfeeding

Early application is impossible if:

The woman had a caesarean section under general anesthesia;
There was a lot of blood loss;
The mother has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted or serious infectious disease;
The pregnant woman was treated before giving birth by taking a course of antibiotics;
The condition of the newborn is serious, the test result using the rapid assessment method is below 7 points.

In order to be able to fully breastfeed when the problems disappear, it is necessary to regularly express milk with a breast pump or manually.

It is recommended to perform the first pumping no later than 6 hours after birth, then perform the procedure every 3 hours with a night break of 5-6 hours. This will help maintain lactation at an acceptable level and avoid mastitis.

Causes of insufficient lactation

Insufficient lactation occurs in a woman during the postpartum period if:

she suffered toxicosis in the third trimester of pregnancy,
there was an obstetric operation,
she had a hormonal imbalance
age over 35 years.

How to put a baby to the breast

Important practical tips from lactation consultants on how to breastfeed your baby correctly:

The baby must independently grasp the areola along with the nipple. When he is hungry, he looks for the breast with his open mouth, makes sucking movements with his lips, and turns his head. Mom can help him by holding the areola between two fingers so that the baby grasps more than just the tip of the nipple. At the same time, the lips turn slightly outward. The deep grip of the nipple protects it from cracks.
Mommy should get comfortable so as not to get tired, because... Feeding usually takes quite a long time. There should be no unpleasant painful sensations during the sucking process.
The baby should be positioned with his stomach facing his mother, his mouth should be against the chest, his neck should not be turned, and his head should be firmly fixed. The baby should be able to adjust the position of the nipple in the mouth and turn away when he is full. He should not make any effort to reach the nipple, as this may cause insufficient latching. You need to make sure that the baby’s nose is not covered.
If the baby cries and does not take the breast, you can gently touch his cheeks or lips and squeeze a few drops of milk into his mouth.
If a superficial grip occurs, the mother can pull away by lightly pressing the baby’s chin.
You have to control the grip depth all the time. The baby can latch onto the breast correctly, but during the sucking process it gradually moves to the tip of the nipple; it is not difficult for mommy to understand this from the painful sensations. Take the breast away from the baby and reattach it.

Feeding positions

The mother is sitting, holding the child in her arms, with her head resting on the crook of her elbow - this is the most common position. While the baby's weight is small, it is convenient to hold it in one hand, and with the other you can help to grasp the nipple correctly.
If a newborn is having problems, additional head control can be obtained by holding the baby with the hand opposite the breast offered to the baby. In this case, the head, slightly tilted back, is supported by the palm of the hand, which allows the child to more comfortably grasp the areola. The disadvantage is that the mother's hand gets tired quickly, so it is recommended to place a pillow under it.
It is also a good position for monitoring latching and high-quality emptying of the mammary gland when the baby is positioned on the arm and on a pillow under the armpit on the side of the mother. Since there is no pressure on the abdomen, this is a suitable position after a caesarean section.
The most comfortable position for the mother is lying on her side. The baby is laid side by side, raising his head with the help of a hand or a blanket folded several times.
Feeding is possible when a woman, lying on her back, places the baby on her stomach.

Breastfeeding rules

A newborn should be fed on demand; this is one of the conditions for successful lactation. Milk production is directly proportional to how much the baby sucks.

Mother's milk is easily digested, so frequent feeding does not harm the baby's digestive system. After about six weeks, the child himself will have established a fairly stable schedule.

If the child is restless, then mothers perceive feeding on demand as a situation where the baby literally lives in the mother’s arms. This does not suit all women. Many doctors recommend a free schedule, when meals are not tied to a specific time, but a two-hour break is still observed. If the child is sleeping, they do not wake him up. If he is calmly awake, not demanding food, then it is not offered.

The duration of one feeding depends on the personal qualities of the baby. Some babies eat more actively and quickly get full, others suck slowly and fall asleep, but when they try to remove the nipple, they wake up and continue to eat. It is considered normal when sucking lasts about half an hour.

You can determine that a child is eating enough by the following signs: he calmly lets go of the breast, is in a good mood, sleeps normally, and gains weight in accordance with his age.

It is recommended to give one breast per feeding, alternating them. Let the child empty its contents completely. This will allow for sufficient lactation, and the baby will receive both initial liquid portions, the so-called foremilk, and thicker hind milk, containing a significant amount of nutrients. If there is not enough milk, then it is possible to use both breasts in one feeding, but avoid overfeeding.

The most effective method of preventing insufficient lactation is to regularly put the baby to the breast, because it is the irritation of a woman’s nipple that triggers the process of milk production.

If a woman has problems that she cannot solve on her own, then you can find out how to breastfeed correctly from a pediatrician, an experienced midwife or a lactation consultant.

Timing and frequency of feedings

Breastfeeding is necessary for a newborn until six months of age, and it is advisable to continue it for up to a year. Further preservation of natural feeding depends entirely on the desire and capabilities of the mother.

In the first week, the child requires food up to 10-12 times a day, then the number of feedings decreases. The process may be uneven. During periods of active growth, which are 7-10 days, 4-6 weeks, 6 months, the baby’s appetite increases. The increase in milk production may lag for 2-3 days and at this time food may be required more often. But the general trend toward increasing intervals and decreasing the number of feedings continues. By the age of one year, a child is usually given breastfeeding 2 times a day.

When feeding on demand, the question of night feedings often arises. This can be quite tiring for a mom.

Pediatricians advise that during the first six months you must respond to requests, since night feeding increases the overall production of milk and provides the baby with additional useful substances.

Later, when the baby’s diet becomes more varied due to the introduction of complementary foods, you don’t have to get up at night. Creating a humid and cool microclimate in the sleeping room will help with this. You can also practice late evening bathing before the final feeding of the day.

The nutrition of an infant differs significantly from the intake of adult food in various respects: the food itself, its quantity, and the frequency of meals. How to properly feed a newborn is an important question to find out, because how successfully one can “start” in the race called “breastfeeding” will depend on how long the mother can and wants to feed the baby with the best food - breast milk.

How does lactation occur or why is there no milk?

We are uniquely created: the body of the expectant mother, long before giving birth, begins to tune in to breastfeeding (BF), because this is the same natural process as bearing a fetus, inherent in a woman at the DNA level.

Immediately after birth, the formation of lactation begins with the production of colostrum. Despite its small amount (about 30 ml), it is high in calories, rich in immune bodies and complete protein, so it is quite enough for a child in the first days of life. In addition, colostrum has a mild laxative effect, which facilitates the passage of original meconium stool.

Colostrum helps the newborn adapt to a new way of feeding; thanks to this period, he needs to expend less energy on sucking, which is not much at first, because both mother and baby rest after childbirth.

Also, within 2-3 days, the mother has the opportunity to learn the technique of putting the baby to the breast, and this is one of the most important secrets of successful lactation.

About posture and application technique

Before you start breastfeeding your newborn, get into a comfortable position. Each woman has her own, the main thing is that it is comfortable for both you and the baby.

It is good to master 2-3 poses, for example, the “cradle” pose, when the baby is in the mother’s arms with his tummy facing her, lying on the elbow. It is important to learn to feed in the “lying down” position: on the arm, from under the arm, from the upper chest. Many women note that it is convenient to use a special nursing pillow, which reduces the strain on their arms.

Some comfortable positions and an example of proper nipple latching

Proper feeding involves proper nipple latching. It looks like this:

the baby grasps the nipple with a wide open mouth along with the aureole, while the baby’s lower lip turns outward;
the nose is pressed tightly to the chest, but it remains possible to breathe normally;
during the sucking process there should be no smacking or other sounds other than swallowing;
Feeding a newborn should be a pleasure, if you experience discomfort, then something is wrong.

What to do if nipple cracks appear

Due to improper application, cracks may form in the peripapillary area. They need to be treated, because, firstly, it is an open gate for infection, often leading to mastitis, and secondly, feeding becomes almost unbearable due to the pain. During treatment, you can use special silicone pads and lubricate the bust with 5% synthomycin emulsion.

Third day - did you order milk?

When the third day approaches, the breasts become noticeably fuller - the so-called transitional milk arrives, which in a couple of weeks will be replaced by full milk. Now an interesting process begins, which can be understood if we remember physiology.

About the influence of hormones on milk flow

The hormones prolactin and oxytocin are responsible for lactation. The latter is released directly during sucking, due to which a reflex contraction of the periductal cells occurs and milk begins to flow. The role of prolactin is different. During sucking, a signal is sent to the brain, more precisely to the pituitary gland, about an existing need for the future. In other words, under the influence of prolactin, the brain analyzes how much milk needs to be produced next time.

An important conclusion follows from this: during lactation formation, the baby should be put to the breast more often, even if it seems that it is “empty”.

From the outside, this may look like abuse of the baby; relatives may insist on the need to supplement feeding with formula. Don't panic. If the baby was born with normal weight, without pathologies, 3 days to adjust the flow of milk will not harm him, and this time, as a rule, is enough for the brain to give the command to increase lactation. We'll talk about when supplementary feeding should be introduced a little later.

Feeding regimen

How often to feed a newborn? There are two styles of breastfeeding:

On demand. Its essence is that as soon as the little one begins to cry, declaring his feeling of hunger, the mother “hurries to the rescue.”
By the hour. In this case, wait 3 hours from one feeding to the next, accustoming the child to the regimen.

It must be admitted that the character of the toddler often influences the process of eating, because not every mother can withstand half an hour of screaming, and it’s not worth annoying the baby to such an extent. The same can be said about the duration of one feeding: it can last up to 30-40 minutes, it seems that the newborn is “hanging” on the chest, but for the first meals this is absolutely normal.

Feeding on demand seems to make the most sense in the first two to three weeks as both parties adjust to each other. Next - how it goes. But after how many hours? The free feeding style is popular, in which the baby is fed on demand, but not earlier than 2 hours after the last meal.

Do I need to pump?

If you choose the on-demand option, there is no need to pump - the baby will empty everything to the last drop. However, there are situations in which you need to help get rid of milk:

A breast pump makes expressing easier

If for various reasons the mother is separated from the baby in the first weeks of life (the premature baby is placed in a hospital), but there is a desire to preserve breastfeeding.
If the baby has eaten and you feel that your breast milk supply has not been depleted.
If the mother leaves the child with one of the relatives, and she goes to work or study, but at the same time wants to continue breastfeeding. In this case, the “food product” is stored frozen in a clean container. Do not worry about freezing and defrosting - it does not affect the composition and taste of the milk.

Until what age should I continue breastfeeding? It is believed that the first six months of life a baby especially needs breast milk. Further developments depend on the wishes of the mother and the needs of the family. Some feed for up to a year, others for up to a year and a half or more.

Is there enough milk?

How to understand whether a child is full or not? There are several signs that everything is fine:

the baby fell asleep next to the baby or let you go;
normal weight and height gain;
he sleeps well and is active when awake;
The baby pees a lot.

A few words about hygiene

Before you start feeding, you need to wash your hands with soap. There is no need to wash your bust every time; it is enough to take a hygienic shower without soap once a day.

A special bra is a necessary thing for a nursing mother

It is recommended to buy a special bra that does not compress the breasts. These models have unfastened cups for more comfortable latching of the baby. Keep in mind that clothing in general should provide quick access to the “dairy kitchen”. For example, on a walk, a mother may not be able to feed her baby in every dress.

How to switch to mixed feeding?

With mixed feeding, the baby receives both milk and artificial formula. This process in medicine is called supplementary feeding and it occurs for various reasons:

a nursing woman needs to go to work;
there is a need to take medications that are contraindicated for breastfeeding;
lack of milk;
underweight in a newborn.

A competent transition to a mixed diet involves calculating the missing amount of food, which a pediatrician will help you do in a children's clinic. In addition, it must be appropriate, that is, you fall into the situations described above, and the doctor recommends that you supplement your baby's feeding.

You can read the article on our website about how to choose a formula for a newborn and not get lost in their assortment.

It is worth mentioning the fact that when mixed food is given to a baby from a bottle, a small problem arises: the baby very quickly understands that sucking from a bottle is much easier than getting milk through hard work, so there may be whims around the boob that need to be overcome. For this reason, you need to remember the basic rules:

first, the newborn is applied to the breast, and only after it is empty, the intended portion of the mixture is given;
It is better to feed from a spoon, but if this is not possible, the hole in the bottle nipple should not be too wide, it is advisable to have a nipple with an anti-colic valve.

Bottle feeding sometimes creates difficulties for further breastfeeding

About night feeding

The benefits of breastfeeding at night, especially in the morning, have long been proven, so there is no need to give up night vigils. Another thing is how often this happens. It happens that the baby confuses day with night and the whole family takes turns running around with him.

Late bathing and feeding at night a little later than usual will help solve this problem: our goal is for the little one to get tired and hungry. Cool, fresh air also promotes good sleep. Ideally, feed once at night, gradually, closer to a year, refusing such midnight meals.

Problems associated with GW and ways to solve them

The child does not fall asleep after feeding

Often babies fall asleep right at the breast, but there are exceptions. What to do if the baby does not sleep after feeding? Perhaps your baby has simply grown up and begun to sleep less. But sometimes he waits for additional assurances of love and affection: carry him in your arms, sing a lullaby, if the crib or stroller has a rocking mechanism, use it.

Belching is something you should definitely wait for before going to bed.
If a newborn has swallowed air, it will be uncomfortable for him to sleep, as gas bubbles put pressure on the walls of the stomach. Hold the baby upright, as people say, “in a column,” until the belching makes itself felt, and then put the baby to bed.

Baby crying at the chest

If you give your baby the breast, and he bursts into tears when he tries to suck, it means that something is bothering him. Below are the reasons why your baby cries during feeding:

Stomach hurts. The legs tucked to the tummy will tell about this pain. To avoid this situation, the mother should stick to a diet and not eat foods that increase gas formation. The baby is given a massage with warm hands and given anti-colic medications based on simethicone.
Ear pain problem. With otitis media, swallowing movements cause ear pain. If, in addition to crying, there is an increased temperature and when pressing on the tragus of the auricles, the crying intensifies, you should urgently see a doctor.
My head hurts. If there are neurological disorders, headache may be one of the symptoms. Get examined by a neurologist.
Air capture, as mentioned earlier, brings discomfort. The problem can be solved simply - the baby is held upright for several minutes until he burps air.
Milk has changed taste. The taste of milk depends on the mother's eating habits. Your toddler may not like the fact that his usually sweet food has suddenly acquired a strong taste. Conclusion: watch your diet.
The oral mucosa is inflamed. Thrush, laryngitis, pharyngitis - with all these diseases it is painful for a child to swallow. Treatment begins as early as possible.

If the baby hiccups

What to do when your baby starts having hiccups after feeding? Basically, the reasons for this phenomenon are physiological, and we have already discussed some of them:

air trapped during food intake;
overeating;
hypothermia;
Due to the large flow of milk, the baby chokes on it.

All these reasons can be easily eliminated: do not overfeed the child, give the air a chance to escape, give him something to drink. And only in rare cases can hiccups indicate neurological problems.

These are just some tips regarding breastfeeding. This topic can be discussed endlessly, since it is in demand, because what mother would not want to give her precious child all the best, especially when it comes to breast milk.