How to breastfeed a baby

Congratulations you have a brand new baby!.Having a new baby is hard enough but when you choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel that you made this experience even difficult. Breastfeeding is not as hard as it looks or as you may have heard from other mothers. It is actually quite easy and fulfilling way to nourish your baby once you get the hang of it.

During the first week of your baby’s life, your breasts will produce colostrum for your baby to drink.Colostrum is very rich in antibodies and aids the baby’s immune system.. It also aids him to pass his first bowel movement which is called meconium. Meconium is tarry looking and black and is in the first few nappies after birth.Then it begins to shift to a brown substance and after your milk comes in, it becomes a yellow, mustard stool that is loose and watery.

24 -48 hours after birth, your baby will begin to have wet nappies that will increase to two or three a day depending on baby.

• Laying down – Lay down on you side with cushions behind you to support your back. Lay baby facing you with her head on a pillow your breast should be level with baby’s mouth.

Sit down and tuck your baby under your arm almost like a handbag. Rest baby’s head on a firm pillow on your lap. Your arm will extend down baby’s back , pilot baby to latch on

• Sitting Up – Sit up either in bed or a comfortable chair or couch with pillows supporting your back and head. Bend your knees to make this even easier have baby latch on.

While your baby drinks colostrum and then milk, you should listen for a pattern of “suck, suck, suck, swallow.” This pattern will be rhythmic and there should be no “clicking” noises. If you start to hear this, you need to unlatch him and then reattach him. If you continue to hear this sound after reattaching him a few times, then you may want to consult a lactation consultant or your pediatrician.

After the first week of baby’s life, you should see 6-8 wet nappies per day and at least 3 bowel movements a day His urine should be clear and he should become more alert with each passing day. Your baby should be putting on weight and growing, as this is the best way to show that they are getting enough nutrition. If you observe two days in a row that deviates from the above indicator, you should contact your pediatrician immediately

Breastfeeding issues, such as poor milk yield, are not as common when using this feeding method, but they can occur.Even if you are eating well, well rested and have a routine life, and your baby is growing and getting enough food, you can still have a milk production issue. Many things can cause production problems. Common things that can affect your milk yield are:

• The age of mom
• Mom’s state of mind
Your desire to breastfeed
• Baby’s latch on capacity
• The number of children you have