Guide to Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding: It's Not Always Easy

Breastfeeding benefits you and your baby but it does take a bit of know-how. Don't feel guilty if your breastfeeding experience isn't perfect at first. A breastfeeding educator -- and these tips -- can help you over some of the more common breastfeeding hurdles.

Breastfeeding ABCs

• Awareness: Breastfeed whenever baby seems hungry. Watch for hunger signs like sucking noises, hands moving toward mouth, or baby turning toward your breast.
• Be patient: Babies usually feed for 10 or 20 minutes on each breast.
• Comfort: Prop up your feet, support your arms and head with pillows.

Soothing Sore Nipples

To soothe sore nipples, use warm moist compresses, rub a bit of fresh breast milk on your nipples and then let it dry, or dab on a bit of lanolin made for breastfeeding. A little pain and tenderness is normal at first. Pain usually goes away once you find a good breastfeeding position and baby latches on comfortably. Be sure to see your doctor if soreness increases or lasts several weeks.

Avoid Nipple Confusion

Nipple confusion occurs when a baby is bottle-fed too soon, and then forgets how to nurse on mom's nipple. It's not very common, but you can easily avoid it. If you're planning on introducing bottles or a pacifier, wait until baby is between 2 to 4 weeks old. But don't wait too long after that to introduce a bottle or you may have trouble getting baby to accept one.


How Often Do Babies Nurse?

Newborns should nurse every two to three hours, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. That's eight to 12 times in 24 hours.

Baby may feed from both breasts during one nursing session. And you can switch from side to side to avoid exhaustion. Baby is full when sucking has slowed or he turns away. After the first month, feedings may start decreasing to seven to nine times a day.

Should You Wake Baby to Nurse?

Yes, in the first weeks. Newborns need to nurse about eight times a day, with no more than four hours between feedings. To help baby wake, try removing blankets, changing baby's diaper, massaging baby softly, or placing your little one against your skin.

Should You Use Both Breasts?

After breastfeeding for a few weeks, start letting baby drain one breast before switching to the other. The reason? There are two types of milk during each feeding: the thinner, thirst-quenching fore milk, followed by the creamier, fat-rich hind milk. Your baby needs both. If baby finishes only the first breast during a feeding, offer the other breast at the next feeding.


Is Baby Drinking Enough?

So long as your baby is gaining about a pound a month, nursing every two to three hours, and has about six to eight wet diapers a day, you can feel sure your little one's eating all she needs. Good news: By the second month, some babies no longer need night feedings, and may even sleep through the night.


Suddenly You're Nursing More

Babies have growth spurts when it’ll seem like you're nursing 24/7. Don’t worry -- not only will your body produce more milk, but these super hungry periods are temporary. Growth spurts usually hit around baby's second week, then again at two, four, and six months. More good news: Most babies are ready to try solid food between four and six months.

  Does Your Diet Affect Baby?

What you eat affects your breast milk, but usually not as much as most new moms think. Generally you can eat and drink what you enjoy, so long as you strive for a healthy, balanced diet.  But steer clear of very spicy or gas-producing foods, and watch for allergy symptoms in baby -- which should appear in the first four to six weeks

.Bonding Without Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is just one way to bond with your baby. The connection between parent and child grows every time you hold and cuddle your infant, each time you talk and sing to him, and with every bath and playtime. If mom plans on pumping for use in bottles after two to four weeks, others can do baby feedings, too.