By: Greta O’Steen RN, CCE

• breast milk is the ideal food for your baby because: it is always the right temperature, it’s always fresh, it changes as your baby grows to meet his/her every need, it is the only food that is formulated especially for your baby
• your baby will be sick less often, and if illnesses occur they are less severe
• Breastfed babies:
• are hospitalized less often and have lower mortality rates
• have lower rates of diarrheal disease
• have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal illness
• have a lower risk of urinary tract infections
• have a lower incidence of respiratory disease
• have lower incidence of otitis media (ear infections)
• have lower incidence of allergies
• have lower rate of pneumonia
• have lower rates of obesity
• have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• have fewer learning and behavior difficulties

BREASTFEEDING ALSO:

• confers passive immunity
• is protective against measles and other communicable diseases
• provides for optimal growth and neurological development
• prevents malocclusion & leads to better teeth & jaw development
• protects against hypothermia
• provides partial protection against necrotizing enterocolitis
• provides major protection against bacteremia and meningitis
• reduces the incidence of childhood lymphoma
• enhances visual development
• provides protection against neonatal sepsis
• is less risky for premature babies and low birth weight babies (it is even used as medical treatment and ordered from milk banks for preemies)

Formula-fed babies:

• have an increased risk for juvenile diabetes
• may have impaired antibody responses to vaccines
• who are premature experience apnea and bradycardia more frequently
• have higher risk of inflammatory illness
• have a higher risk of celiac disease, Chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cholera, and neonatal hypocalcemic tetany

BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS FOR MOTHER:

• bonds mother and child
• provides the mother with a hormone-induced (prolactin) contentment
• encourages efficient uterine contractions after childbirth
• allows mother to lose pregnancy weight & size faster
• is convenient (the milk is pre-warmed, clean, & always available)
• is cost-effective & saves money
• fosters confidence & promotes self-esteem
• is protective against cancer ( breast, cervical, ovarian)
• lowers the incidence of chronic hepatitis
• reduces the risk of osteoporosis
• reduces the requirements of insulin for lactating diabetic mothers

• results in less environmental waste & pollution
• frees up health resources
• saves money for hospitals & health clinics
• may decrease spending on imports

BREAST MILK AMAZING!

Breast milk changes through your baby’s life to meet his special needs. When he/she is newborn the early, clear milk is called colostrum. As your baby grows your breast milk will meet his needs at each stage. If your baby is born premature, your breast milk is especially formulated for your preemie baby. You need never worry that it isn’t right for your baby. It is always the right temperature, the right amount, and has the right content of calories, fats, and other nutrients the baby needs.

Breast milk has many components. It will take approximately 3 days for your milk to come in. After the first few days of your baby’s life you will have two kinds of milk, the foremilk, and the hindmilk. The foremilk is designed to quench the babies thirst. It is the first thing your baby gets when the feeding begins. The hindmilk is the more rich fatty milk that follows the foremilk. The hindmilk satisfies your baby’s hunger and provides more of the nutrients needed to gain weight and grow. That is why it is very important not time your baby’s feeds, instead allow him to finish one breast and then move him to the other breast. It is best if he can completely empty the first breast before moving to the second.

Breastfeeding is a supply and demand operation. Your baby demands by sucking. In response Your body supplies the milk your baby needs. The more your baby demands (sucks) the more milk your body supplies. I don’t know of any other feeding system that works that efficiently. Not only does breastfeeding supply your baby with the food he needs it also gives him a special gift of motherly contact. It makes him feel safe and secure. He smells, sees, and feels your closeness and love while nursing.

BREASTFEEDING BASICS

Please contact a lactation consultant, or breastfeeding coordinator at your local hospital or medical group for more information before and after delivery about your breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a learned art. Most women in other cultures learn to breastfeed from their mother or grandmother. If you don’t have a close relative who had a successful breastfeeding experience seek more information from someone who has.

POSITIONING:

There are many ways to hold your baby while nursing. Changing positions of your baby changes the pressure points on your nipples, and helps the breast to empty more evenly through out the day. You should first find a comfortable place to feed. If you enjoy using a chair, one with arms may help support the weight of your baby. Placing a pillow in your lap and laying the baby on it will also help raise the baby to the level of your breast. Always put your feet on a small stool so that your knees are at the level of your hips or slightly above. You should feel comfortable and calm and be able to hold your baby close.

The sooner you can get your newborn to the breast the better. It is best to get the baby to your breast within the first 2 hours of life. Talk with your health care provider to see if this will be possible at your hospital.

Remember to watch for early feeding cues from your baby. These cues include:

• hand to mouth
• lip smacking
• rooting

You should never attempt to put a crying baby to the breast. First console the baby and then offer the breast.

LATCH-ON

Correct latch-on is one of the most important steps to breastfeeding. It will prevent nipple soreness, help you to have a good milk supply, and ensure that baby is nursing well. Baby must have a wide open mouth, you should then touch your nipple to his lips quickly moving him in close so he can get the entire nipple, and most or all of the areola (the dark brown area) into his mouth. If he does not open wide he will only suck on the nipple. This can cause sore nipples which can lead to cracking, and bleeding. It may take a couple of attempts to get your baby properly latched-on. The main thing is to be patient, and wait for the babies mouth to open wide. Then rapidly move him in closer to the breast. His nose and chin should be touching your breast. His bottom lip should be flanged out and his tongue over his lower gums. The main thing to remember is that if you have no pain associated with his nursing, the chances are good that he has latched-on correctly.

STEPS TO LATCH-ON

• wash your hands, get into a comfortable position and position your baby at your breast
• align your baby so he is facing you, his tummy to your tummy, he should never have to turn his head to nurse, the nipple should always be straight in front of his mouth
• hold your breast in a "C" shape ( see diagram below) and support your breast throughout the entire feeding, a newborn’s chin can’t support the weight of your breast.
• gently stroke the baby’s lips with your nipple to stimulate the rooting response
• repeat stroking until baby opens his mouth wide, don’t allow him to latch-on to the nipple only
• when the baby opens wide, quickly pull him in toward your breast

Never remove your baby from your breast without first breaking his suction. Slide your finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth to break his suction and remove him from the breast. If you remove the baby without breaking the suction it may: blister your nipples or blister the baby’s tongue.

When the baby is allowed to determine the length of his feeding, his mouth will gently release the nipple when he is finished.

FREQUENCY OF FEEDINGS:

During the early sleepy days the baby may not seem to request many feedings. Be sure to look for feeding cues. Baby may be sleepy from delivery and an immature system. Therefore, he may not demand feedings which means that you will need to be especially alert to his feeding cues.

• Baby will usually request 8-12 feeds in a 24 hour period.
• Offer your baby the breast at least every 3 hours the first few days after birth
• Baby may also cluster feed (several feedings in a row) it is important to feed your baby whenever he gives feeding cues. Each cluster feed counts toward your 8-12 feedings per 24 hours.

Nurse until your baby shows these signs of being full:

• comes off the breast by himself
• sucks less vigorously
• becomes sleepy
• offer both breasts at each feeding
• if baby only nurses one side offer the other breast first at the next feeding

If your baby does nurse both breasts, alternate sides you begin with each feeding.

IS MY BABY GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT?

Here are a few ways to tell:

• baby is satisfied and falls away from the breast after feeding
• baby is content between most feedings
• baby sleeps no longer than 3 hours between feeds during the day
• should be back to birth weight by week 2 (he will loose weight initially after birth)
• 4-7 ounce per week weight gain after week 2
• breast feels less full after feeding (once milk has come in)
• audible swallowing (once milk has come in)
• at least one wet diaper the first 24 hours after birth
• 3 wet diapers the second and third day of life
• 5-8 wet diapers per day once milk has come in
• baby will be passing meconium (black tar like bowel movement) the first few days