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Breastfeeding
Help
Breastfeeding
is often a decision that a mother/parents make before the baby
is born. Inform
your OB-GYB doctor of your decision. Your doctor will help you prepare by examining the mother’s
breasts to ensure a good beginning for you and your baby.
Also,
be sure to let the staff at the hospital know your decision to
breastfeed your baby.
Request that hospital staff allow baby to stay with mom
for at least one hour after delivery. The baby is often alert after delivery and breastfeeding is
an instinctive drive in the first hours after birth. This often is a successful beginning to a great breastfeeding
experience.
If
you receive a lot of pain medication during your labor you may
need 2 hours or more with the baby after delivery.
The medication can cause a slower
instinctive latch-on by the baby.
If
you have a C-section and plan to breastfeed, ask hospital
staff to place baby at the breast during recovery time.
Even though you, as the mother, may be sedated, the
baby can have a successful first breastfeeding experience
during the time period when the instinctive drive to
breastfeed is strong.
Benchmarks
of a successful beginning
If
you and your baby have two successful nursing episodes in the
first 12 hours of life most mothers and babies continue to do
well with breast feeding after leaving the hospital.
If
by the 12th hour after birth the baby is not
breastfeeding well mom should begin using a breast pump every
2 hours to help establish the milk supply. Otherwise, a delay
in the breast milk “coming in” may occur.
Research
has shown that babies who spend more time skin-to-skin with
their moms nurse better than babies who spend most of their
time in the nursery. The baby’s heart beat is regulated by the mother’s heart.
The baby’s body heat is stabilized by the mother’s
warmth. Both
mother and baby experience a hormonal contentment by the close
contact.
New
mothers should instruct hospital staff
that they DO NOT want their babies to have water,
formula, or a pacifier in the nursery.
Instead, rooming in, and feeding the baby on cue (not
on the nursery’s schedule) are keys to early breast feeding
success.
For
more information and breastfeeding help, call our office.
Our nurses are happy to help you make breastfeeding a
rewarding experience for both of you.
Breastfeeding
at home
Sometimes
breastfeeding a newborn can be a very frustrating and lonely
experience. You are not alone!
Please
call our office if you have any questions or concerns about
your breastfeeding experience.
The nurses at Genesis Pediatrics LLC have experience with
helping new moms breastfeed successfully, as well a personal
experiences with the frustration and difficulties with the
first few days.
Most
newborns will breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours.
A baby’s stomach is about the size of its fist –
not very big – and needs frequent refilling.
It
is also true that babies nurse best at their best times.
Watch your baby for signs of hunger:
making smacking noises, mouthing hands, early waking
and stretching. Offering the baby the breast at these times is often a
successful feeding time – before the baby is too frustrated
and hungry.
Some
tips for latch-on
| Make
sure the nipple is pointed at baby’s nose - appears
a little off-center. This places the bottom portion of
areola in the baby’s mouth.
This increases milk production.
The baby’s mouth will move UP to the breast. Baby’s head should TILT, making the mouth gape open. |
| Another
way to make the baby’s mouth gape open is by moving
baby to and then away from breast, drawing baby
quickly in when mouth opens.
This takes
PATIENCE!! |
| Make
sure that the baby is place with its tummy turned
towards mom. |
| Tuck
the buttocks in towards mom to clear baby’s nose.
The baby always breathes through its nose. |
| “Flex
the hips to open the lips”. |
| Mom
should hold her breast with her hand shaped
like a “C”. |
| Studies
have found that offering the left breast first can be
helpful, perhaps because the baby hears the mom’s
heart beat. |
Reasons
to call for help
| If
you find it takes 40 minutes to nurse your baby it
make indicate the baby is not latching on well. |
| If
your nipples are sore, cracked, or bleeding the baby
may be latching on incorrectly. |
| If
your baby is consistently sleeping more than 4 hours
between feedings. |
| If
your baby is very fussy. |
| If
you are not seeing bright yellow stools or wet
diapers. |
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