Many women choose to breast-feed their babies for at least the first few months. They are aware that breast-feeding is the best way to build up a newborns immunity system and prevent allergies. In addition, nursing a child is an excellent way for mother and baby to bond while not having to fuss with the expense and time of preparing bottles and formula. Many new moms find that nursing causes contractions which help shrink the uterus back to normal size relatively quickly.

Initial milk

The first milk coming from the breasts after giving birth is a thin, yellowish liquid called colostrum. It contains more protein, salt, and antibodies than regular breast milk. It is extremely easy to digest and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. It is low in volume, but high in concentrated nutrition, for the newborn. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools and thus aiding in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helping prevent jaundice. Within a few days your milk will come in and you will often feel a heaviness in your breasts as they fill with milk. This is sometimes called the let-down reflex which is frequently stimulated by the cry of your hungry child. To establish an adequate milk supply it is important that your baby nurse frequently. If she’s not hungry enough to nurse for long or has difficulty getting started, it may help to express some of your breast milk. To do this place your thumb at the top of the areola, with your fingers underneath. Squeeze the edges of the areola as you press back toward your chest wall, almost as if you are milking your breast. Often this will help your baby get the milk more easily, encouraging her to suck more productively.

Helpful tips for breast-feeding

You will want to sit in a comfortable chair which supports your back and arms. Position your infant so her mouth can easily get to your breast. A quiet spot away from the turmoil of the household is ideal, but not always possible. Soothing music may help relax both of you. Alternate the breasts each time you begin feedings, since the first breast gets sucked more vigorously. If your infant has problems latching on to the breast, consult your pediatrician or local breast-feeding support group for help. La Leche is a nationwide group which continually offers support by phone for new mothers. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs, all of which can pass through the milk to your baby. Even prescription drugs should be taken with care; be certain to make your doctor aware that you are breast-feeding when you receive a prescription.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

Typically, during the first few days while the baby is receiving mothers immunity-boosting colostrum, he will wet only one or two diapers per day. Once the mother’s milk comes in, usually on the third or fourth day following birth, the baby should begin to have 6-8 wet cloth diapers or 5-6 wet disposable diapers per day. (An easy way to feel the weight of a wet disposable diaper is to pour 2-4 tablespoons of water in a dry diaper.) In addition, most young babies will have at least two to five bowel movements every 24 hours for the first several months, although some babies will switch to less frequent but larger bowel movements at about 6 weeks. You will know your baby is getting enough milk if:

• The baby nurses frequently, averaging at least 8-12 feedings per 24-hour period.
• The baby is allowed to determine the length of the feeding, which may be 10 to 20 minutes per breast or longer.
• Baby’s swallowing sounds are audible as he is breastfeeding.
• The baby gains at least 4-7 ounces per week after the fourth day of life. Periodic well baby check-ups are important for this reason.
• The baby is alert and active, appears healthy, has good color, firm skin, and is growing in length and head circumference.
• If you have any concerns regarding your baby, they should be addressed with your health care provider.

Breast Care

One hazard of breast-feeding is cracked nipples, which can become a problem if your baby is not latching on to the breast properly. The main cause is improper positioning. The baby should be face to nipple, and tummy to tummy with you. The baby’s chin should be just below the nipple, and the baby needs to open her mouth wide to take in a good mouthful. Some mothers find that rinsing their nipples after nursing and drying them with a hair dryer can be beneficial. It may also help to express a small amount of milk and let it dry on the nipple, forming a protective coating. Never use soap on your breasts; even creams and lotions can aggravate cracked nipples. Plastic lined nursing pads or plastic bra shields may exacerbate the problem; if discomfort persists, consult your doctor. A more serious problem is mastitis, an infection of the breast caused by bacteria within the duct system. Symptoms include swelling, pain, heat, and perhaps a fever. Apply hot compresses and massage your breasts before nursing. If a fever or discomfort persists, consult your healthcare provider.

Healthy diet

It is of extreme importance to drink extra water and nonfat milk while nursing. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least 8 oz. of liquid each time you nurse the baby.T rial and error will show which foods you consume pass through your breast milk to your baby andcause gassy discomfort. Common culprits include cabbage, garlic, onions, broccoli, and turnips. In addition, some mothers find that consuming caffeine can lead to an alert, fussy, sleepless baby, so be careful to limit your caffeine consumption.

Breast pumps

When you return to work or if you need to be away from your baby for another reason, it will be helpful to utilize a breast pump. There are simple manual ones, but the newer electric pumps are gentler on the breasts and far more efficient than pumping by hand. Breast milk must be refrigerated and can be frozen, so that it can be given to the baby by dad or a caregiver. It is important to get your baby used to accepting a bottle and being fed by someone other than mom well before the situation arises.

Many women enjoy the fact that their milk is so healthy for and digestible by their baby. Although not all women can or prefer to nurse, research points to the significant value which breast-feeding has to infants, mothers, and their families.