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Getting Off
to the Right Start: Breastfeeding Basics
By Michele Elkins RN
IBCLC
Many new moms assume breastfeeding will come
naturally, but it can require time and effort. Here
are a few things new mothers can do - and keep in
mind- to get things off to the right start.
You don’t need a lot of equipment to breastfeed. You
will need:
-
Nursing Bras -
You will need to wear them 24 hours a day in the
beginning. When shopping for bras remember you
will usually increase a cup size, based on your
third trimester cup size, with lactation.
-
Nursing Pads
-
Breast Pump - You
may want to wait to purchase your breast pump;
there are so many on the market and it's best to
make an informed decision based on your needs.
You cannot return breast pumps once they are
opened and, in the beginning, the baby is the
best breast pump.
Breastfeed as Soon as
Possible After the Birth
The 1st hour after babies are born they are alert
and often will feed well. After the 1st hour or so,
they go into a sleepy phase that usually lasts the
remainder of the 1st 24 hours; so, the 1st day you
may only get one good feeding. Don't stress if
breastfeeding doesn’t click right away; it takes 2-6
weeks for breastfeeding to become well established
and most of the hard work will happen once you
return home. Keep resource numbers available for
local support groups and lactation consultants.
Anything you invest in breastfeeding is well worth
it because breastfeeding will save you $1500-$3000
in your baby's first year of life.
Trust Your Body to Breastfeed
New mothers often don't trust their own bodies and
while you will never have ounce marks on your
breasts, it's important to know what to expect with
your baby's first feedings. Breast milk takes 3-5
days to come in, so your baby’s first feedings will
be colostrums. Though small in volume, it packs a
huge nutritional punch - think of it as a power bar
for your baby, meal replacement until the breast
milk arrives.
What Comes in Must Come Out
Your baby will lose weight in the hospital. Most of
the weight loss is extra fluid and me conium (your
baby’s first stool). It will take about 2 weeks for
your baby to regain his birth weight. Watch your
baby’s diapers. What goes in must come out. In the
first 1-3 days of life, babies will have 1-3 wet
diapers and at least 1 me conium stool. On day 4, as
the milk comes in, they will increase the number of
diapers to 6-10 wet diapers and 3-5 yellow stools.
Remember: breastfeeding is going well when baby is
urinating, stooling and gaining weight. If you are
worried, call your pediatrician and go in for a
weight check.
Take Every Opportunity in the Hospital to Practice
Breastfeeding
Don't delay feedings because of visitors and don't
put the baby in the nursery at night. Avoiding night
feedings can delay your milk coming in and possibly
affect your supply later. Also- don't limit the
baby; put the baby on the breast whenever he wishes.
In general, babies feed every 2-3 hours, but
sometimes more often. This behavior, known as
cluster feeding, is common in the newborn period.
Babies should eat 8-12 times a day. Avoid using
bottles and pacifiers until breastfeeding is well
established. Around 4-6 weeks is the time to
introduce bottles and purchase your breast pump. At
this point, breastfeeding is well established and
your baby will not get nipple confused.
A Special Word to Fathers and Support Persons...
You are invaluable to a new mother. She will need
your help and support as she recuperates and bonds
with her baby. She will not, in the beginning,
resume her normal household tasks, so have things in
place and assume that for at least the first two
weeks she will only be able to breastfeed and care
for the new baby. Accept meals, housecleaning, and
laundry detail from family and friends who are
willing to help. Support the breastfeeding mother by
taking over diapering, other infant care and
household chores. Mom will need rest and help in the
beginning; consider this time the fourth trimester.
Encourage Mom to eat well, offer her snacks and
fluids while she's nursing. Just try to make sure
she's comfortable while breastfeeding.
Don't Put So Much Pressure on Yourself
The first couple of weeks of newborn care can be
exhausting. Breastfeeding gets easier as the weeks
go by. After the first 4-6 weeks, you’ve made it!
There's no reason you can't successfully breastfeed
for a full year. Don’t put so much pressure on
yourself. Your baby didn’t read the book on
breastfeeding. Baby is part of the equation so give
yourself and Baby time. Eventually you will actually
enjoy breastfeeding; it’s a great excuse to put your
feet up. Be proud that you are giving your baby the
best start.
Michele Elkins is a proud mother of 5. She has been
a maternal child health nurse at Reston Hospital for
14 years. She currently works on the floor and as a
lactation consultant at Reston. She also owns Best
Fed Babies, specializing in consultation, classes,
breast pumps/supplies and doula services.
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