Breastfeeding Basics

1
Breastfeeding Basics
2
Will I Have Enough Milk?

• Calibrated in the first few days
• ? Based on how much milk is removed
• ? Early and often

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Steps for success

• Feed the Baby
• Move the Milk
• Keep Mom Baby together

4
Do I have to change my lifestyle?

• Mothers DO NOT have to have a perfect diet to
  successfully lactate.
• Listen and Respond to your bodies message.
• Eat when youre hungry
• Drink when youre thirsty
• Rest when youre tired

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• Alcohol
• Moderation advised
• If mother feels intoxicated breastmilk contains
  alcohol and should not be given to infant
• When mother no longer feels the effects of
  alcohol breastmilk has safe levels of alcohol

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• Nicotine
• Excessive nicotine intake decrease milk supply.
• Nicotine
• Mothers should not smoke during breastfeedings
• Increases secondary smoke exposure
• Secondary smoke increases incidence or URTI,
  bronchitis, pneumonia, SIDS, leukemia etc.

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Getting off to a good start

• Ideally, infant is placed to breast IMMEDIATELY
  after birth.
• Breastfeeding should be initiated within first
  hour after birth

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How Often to Breastfeed

• Guidelines
• Feed at least every 3 hours during the day (8-12
  feedings each 24 hrs)
• Feed at least 5-10 minutes each side
• Listen for swallowing
• Watch infant for satiety cues
• Avoid intense clock watching

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Dads Special Role

• Supporting decision to breastfeed
• Provide encouragement
• Bringing infant to a responsive state for feeding
• Supporting mother nutritionally by preparing
  nutritious snack
• Helping with household tasks

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How do I know if baby is Getting Enough Milk?

• 8 to 12 feedings each 24 hours
• Feed your baby at least 8 times each day. Notice
  that your baby swallows often
• At Least 4 Bowel Movements Each day
• After baby is 4 days old he should have at least
  4 bowel movements each day. (Bowel movements
  should be yellow by 5 to 7 days after birth)

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• Contentment After Feedings
• Your baby should be relaxed and satisfied after
  most feedings
• Your baby should not cry, suck her hands, root
  or need a pacifier after most feedings.
• Your babys fists and elbows should be relaxed
  (not clinched or tightly flexed) after feedings.
• It is better to minimize pacifier use until
  breastfeeding is well established and your baby
  is gaining weight (usually after two weeks)

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• Breastfeeding Should Not be Painful
• Some mothers notice mild nipple tenderness in the
  first week. If it is painful to breastfeed, your
  baby may not be latching-on correctly and your
  baby may not be getting enough milk
• Make sure that your babys nose tip and chin are
  touching your breast!
• Breastfeeding challenges are more easily solved
  if you get help early