Why is breastfeeding best for your baby?
Why should you breastfeed your baby? Here are just a few of the many reasons: Breastmilk is designed to be the perfect food for your baby. Breastfeeding boosts your baby’s immune system, preventing and minimizing many sicknesses. It helps prevent allergies, especially if you breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months. Breastfeeding also helps prevent ear infections, childhood obesity, diarrhea and constipation, promotes proper jaw, teeth and speech development, and reduces the risk of SIDS. Breastmilk is sterile and always ready the moment your baby needs it, which makes it perfectly convenient! Breastfeeding is calming, comforting and promotes bonding between you and your baby. Studies have shown that the longer a mother breastfeeds throughout her life, the lower her chances are of getting breast cancer.
Breastfeeding is hard to get used to, but the benefits are more than worth it. Mothers should breastfeed as soon as possible after the child is born. Make sure there is no clothing between yourself and your baby as you breastfeed. Your child will latch on when they feel your skin. Making sure your child latches on at the start of breastfeeding is important, so do not be afraid to ask for assistance from a nurse. Do not allow yourself to be separated from your child. You should choose “rooming in” as an option that is more beneficial for both you and your child. Remove any artificial nipples from the program and allow your child to feed whenever they seem hungry. You should not need supplements as breastfeeding will give your baby all the nutrition they need. However, always consult a lactation specialist of you have any questions about the methods you’re working with.
Breastfed Babies and Milk Supply
How do you know your breastfed baby is getting enough of your nutritious milk? Many new breastfeeding moms experience some anxiety because they cannot measure the amount of milk their baby is getting. These feelings are very normal, and one of the best ways to assure yourself is to ask for help from experienced women such as your doula, midwife, or lactation consultant. Here are some guidelines to get you started.
During week one, your baby should have an increase of one wet diaper each day for about the first week. For example, on day one there should be one wet diaper. On day two, they should produce two wet diapers, until day 6 where they will wet 6 diapers on that day. Several diapers per day should then be the norm from this point forward.
From Week Two to about One Month, your baby should have 6-8 wet diapers per day, and at least 2-3 stools per day. Some babies pass BM with every feeding, but this pattern may begin to change after 21 days.
At One Month and Beyond, you can expect 6-8 wet diapers per day. Exclusively breastfed babies start having BM’s less frequently, 4 to 15 days or even longer between times can be normal as long as baby’s behavior patterns are normal and his abdomen is not hard.
Here are some weight gain averages to keep in mind. Babies can lose up to 7-10% of their birth weight, and are expected to regain it by 2-3 weeks of age. Thereafter, 4-7 oz. weight gain per week is considered normal. Keep in mind that current growth charts being used by many pediatricians are based on formula fed babies. They should be used only as a guideline.
This information is intended to be merely supportive in nature. Please contact your lactation consultant or a physician for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
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