Breastfeeding Part 4

Length of Feeding

Mothers used to be told to time their babies at the breast. We now know that babies will tell us when to change breasts. They are much smarter than a clock. If you let your baby feed at the first breast for as long as the feeding pattern is going well, the baby will get that high fat milk.

Babies may not feed for as long at the second breast. That’s fine—you can start at that breast at the next feed.  Babies are all different. Some feed quickly, some slowly.  As you learn to understand what your baby is telling you, you will fell more confident that the both of you know what you are doing.

Frequency of Feeding

Breastmilk is esily digested and new babies have small stomachs. They may ask to feed every hour and a half to every 3 hours during the day, perhaps every 3 to 4 hours a night. This pattern changes as the weeks go by. As the infant grows and as your breast become better at what they are doing, your baby will take more milk and last longer between feeds.

Signs that tell you that you Baby is Feeding Well

• you feel no pain when your baby latches
• you see the big jaw movement and you hear swallowing
• baby is really soaking 6-8 diapers daily by the second week.
• baby is having lots of stools, at least one big one day
• baby appears content between feeds
• baby’s clothes start to get too small

When Should You Get Help?

• if you are feeling pain or discomfort in your breasts or nipples
• if your baby wants to feed all the time or within an hour of the last feed
• if feeds are lasting longer than an hour
• if you are not getting many really wet diapers or stools
• if baby is fussy at the breast or between feeds
• if you have so much milk your baby can’t cope with the amount
• if you aren’t enjoying the experience yet feel you’re doing everything right.

It is important that you reach out for help when you need it as you are learning the skills of breastfeeding. Some mothers wait too long because they are afraid of looking foolish. Most problems can be solved with help and support. The first few weeks are a time to pull in all of your support people.