Did you know this about breastfeeding? - Breastfeeding - Parenting Forums - Madmums

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Lynie
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Posted: 16 May 2007 at 10:46pm \| IP Logged

Just a few wee facts seeing as it's national breastfeeding week! Please feel free to add more!

Breastfeeding can be difficult. At first both mum and baby have to learn how to feed. Run your tongue along the roof of your mouth. It's hard and boney! If your baby doesn't get the nipple right to the back of his mouth, to the soft palate then mum will get sore nipples.

You don't have proper breastmilk for the first few days. At first your breasts produce a sweet and sticky substance called colostrum. Colostrum absolutely meets your new-born baby's nutritional needs for the first few days. It prepares baby for the outside world by passing your anti-bodies to baby. Many people think that formula milk contains anti-bodies but no formula does. So even if you only managed a first few feeds baby will have benefited from these valuable anti-bodies. Many mums get a bit disheartened if they need to express in the first few days as they don't get lots of "milk". But baby only needs a little amount of colostrum frequently.

You will know if baby is getting enough...If you know what to look for. Too many mums aren't given this information and worry. The feed should go through a pattern. At first baby will have short sucks to start the feed. Then baby will settle into long rhythmical sucks. Finally the baby will almost "flutter" at the breast. He may even appear to have fallen asleep. But this is the most important part of the feed. It's when the baby gets the calorie- laden hind milk. Feeds shouldn't be timed as some babies reach this stage faster than others.

If baby is producing plenty of wet and dirty nappies, and seems to be thriving he is getting enough. Some days babies go through "growth spurts" as they try to make mum's milk production go up. This is when many mums feel they aren't producing enough, but it settles down in a couple of days if baby goes to the breast frequently.

Breastmilk is very easily digested and as a new baby has a stomach the size of a walnut they need more feeds than bottle fed babies. Formula is made of cow's milk and fills baby for longer as it isn't as easily absorbed by the babies digestive system.

They don't always need a breastfeed! Babies get loads of comfort being so close to mummy. But not every cry means "feed me!" Yes, feeding will quiet baby, but there could be another reason for the cry, nappy might need changing, or they might be overtired or bored! If you can sometimes pass baby to another adult!

Madzwalker
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Posted: 17 May 2007 at 12:13am \| IP Logged

Thats great Lynie.

I can add that having a section doesnt mean you'll lose the bond to breastfeed. I had a section, eds was but to the breast 30mins later (ish) and sucked a little then slept all day - but he still taught me how to breastfeed!

Also that the bond you have from breastfeeding is undescribable. It is worth every cracked nipple and engorgement pain (my opinion) when it starts to go right and your baby is satisfied.

Plus Breastfeeding is so easy. No steralising and making up bottles to go out. No asking resturants to warm bottles. No getting up in the middle of the night to make up bottles, just reach across, grab baby, pop him on and then doze as baby feeds!

Lina
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Posted: 17 May 2007 at 12:50am \| IP Logged

Thanks for the great and useful info lynie!!

i didnt realize how hard it was to b/f...and im glad i got a chance to bf kaitlyn while she was able to... thanks for your help and guidance as well lynie!

danidakin
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Posted: 17 May 2007 at 12:00pm \| IP Logged

Thanks that info is great. I really struggled with bf with my two. I think because they were twin and I found it hard to do it for them both, and also because I wasn't given enough info. I had a c-section and the hospital I went to wasn't very good, the girls weren't put to the breast until they were 3 days old. This was because they were tiny and needed feeding up, but I've since found out that there was no reason they couldn't bf straight away. Really useful info for the future though x

nickimas
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Posted: 15 July 2007 at 8:17pm \| IP Logged

I just wanted to add that a lot of people are under the impression that to be successful at breastfeeding and to bond well you must feed as soon as possible after the birth. One expectant Mum at the last group session with the MW even said that she had been told it must be within the first hour.

I can totally quash this rumour.

Firstly CJ, rushed off to SCUBU after the birth (which was a C-Section) and I didn't see her for 4 hours, she didn't want feeding until 7 hours after the birth however I breast fed her without any problems, if anything she just wanted too much from me but I managed to BF her for 3 months with a couple of top up bottles.

Seren was the real test. Gave birth, again by C-Section, and both of us were in intensive care. I didn't see her or hold her for 37 hours and so she had been given formula from a bottle (obviously). When I did see her for the first time the nurses in the Kinderklinic (who run a very strict routine with feeding) advised me that Seren was due a feed and they were going to get a bottle. I told them I wanted to breastfeed or at least try and although she needed a little top up (because my milk wasn't in properly and she needed a certain amount because of how ill she had been). She latched on straight away with no problems.

Seren is now 14 weeks and 4 days and is exclusively breastfed.

Sorry to waffle on but really wanted to share this info.

MrGreedylookalike
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Posted: 15 July 2007 at 8:49pm \| IP Logged

breastmilk tastes nice!

I tried mine when bf Ellie(much to Jopsy's horror lol)

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Dizie
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Posted: 15 July 2007 at 8:56pm \| IP Logged

Yes but you have it on your cereal too Greeds......

jopsy
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Posted: 15 July 2007 at 9:20pm \| IP Logged

omg omg

greeds thats just awful of you reminding me!

lynie thats v well put together-you should write another book

iwillinspire
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Posted: 17 July 2007 at 12:21pm \| IP Logged

Just wanted to add here that with my dd1 i had a major PPH and had to be transferred to another hospital without dd1, We were not reunited for 9 hours and during this time a MW had given her Formula via a cup. We still managed to BF successfully for 25 months

. Point im making is that it still can work if your determined enough

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Topic: Did you know this about breastfeeding?