It’s National Breastfeeding Week, ladies, so we’ve welcomed the Association of Lactation Consultants In Ireland to guest blog for us ALL this week. Stay on the site for everything and anything you want to know about breastfeeding.
We know, breastfeeding in the early days is such a special and important time for both you and your baby, but it can also be a time of worry. We chatted to Ciara Butler, IBCLC, Vice President, Association of Lactation Consultants In Ireland to get her ultimate guide to really getting it right from the get-go:
“It helps to remember that all babies are programmed to breastfeed, and with a little bit of guidance most will comfortably and easily find their way to the breast.
When your baby is born, try to avoid separation where possible. Often, in a hospital setting, this is difficult, but you can ask your midwife to put your baby skin to skin after he is born. The World Health Organisation recommends at least one hour of uninterrupted skin to skin immediately after birth. This can calm and relax both you and your baby, it regulates your baby’s heart rate, temperature, and breathing, its stimulates his digestion and his feeding behaviour and protects him from infection by allowing friendly bacteria from your skin to colonise his. Newborn babies need very frequent feedings as they have very small tummies;
- Day 1 your baby’s tummy is the size of a small marble and can hold five to seven mls each feed.
- Day 3 your baby’s tummy is the size of a walnut and can hold around twenty to twenty five mls each feed.
- Day 7 your baby’s tummy is the size of an egg and can hold between thirty to sixty mls each feed.
The other important reason for frequent feeds is the more your baby feeds the more milk you will make. It is important your baby has at least eight to ten feeds in a 24 hour period to allow for adequate growth and milk production; some babies will feed even more frequently than this anything from one to three hours is normal.
Recognising your baby’s feeding cues is very helpful for your breastfeeding experience. Crying is a late feeding cue. Trying to latch a crying baby can be difficult; therefore trying to offer the breast when your baby is calm is always helpful. Your baby will indicate he is hungry by lip smacking, putting his hand to his mouth and arm and leg ‘cycling’.
Trying to get to grips with latching your baby correctly onto to the breast can sometimes be a challenge for new mums. Getting into a comfortable, supported position is always a good place to start. Laid back positions are very beneficial and stimulate all of your baby’s feeding reflexes. When latching your baby to the breast try and ensure a deep latch. This will prevent sore nipples and help your baby to transfer milk effectively. Some mothers will feel some discomfort when their baby latches initially but if this pain continues for thirty seconds or more you should take your baby off and relatch him.
There is no time limit on each feed. Every baby is different, some will always feed from both breasts and others will feed from one. You will soon get to know your own baby’s needs. It is normal for newborns to cluster feed in the evening anytime from six or seven in the evening. Sometimes if you are prepared for this it can make things easier.
Most new mums are concerned if their baby is getting enough milk. Usually, what goes in must come out! Therefore your baby’s wet and dirty nappies are a good indicator of milk transfer. By about day five you should expect three or four dirty nappies and six wet nappies. Nighttime feeds are always challenging at the start but are very important for your baby’s growing needs and your milk supply. Night feeding is very normal newborn behaviour, keeping your baby close can make it easier.”
Join us here all week for loads of breastfeeding know-how. If you are concerned about breastfeeding, ask for help, contact your Public Health Nurse, La Leche League, Cuidiu or an IBCLC International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who have amazing lactation legends like Ciara Butler and Nicola O’Byrne (below, left and right) who can come to your home and help you from the very beginning.
