Feeding infants. Features of feeding a newborn baby. Should I breastfeed after a year?

The Madonna and Child is an eternal theme in art, causing delight and tenderness. But in life, breastfeeding is associated not only with the joy of motherhood, but also with various difficulties and myths. Every nursing mother should be aware of all the nuances of lactation so that the baby grows healthy and the new responsibility is a joy.

The axiom about the benefits of natural food for infants today is accepted by many without controversy. But for the sake of preserving their figure, a certain percentage of women in labor try to quickly switch their babies to adapted formulas.

Scientists have long proven that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for babies. And it’s not just about the special biochemical composition of mother’s milk - an excellent building material for the baby’s rapidly growing tissues and the formation of the circulatory system. Much more valuable is the presence of immune bodies, amino acids and other complex molecules that create the immune and central nervous system of newborns.

Babies up to 6 months old, with breastfeeding (breastfeeding), receive all the necessary nutrients and biologically active substances from mother's milk. Breastfed babies grow up healthier than formula-fed babies. It has been proven that breastfeeding reduces the likelihood of metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal disorders in children in the future. Mother's milk also has a slight hypnotic effect, so when babies are full, they fall asleep better than when fed with adapted formulas.

A young mother should not only know everything about breastfeeding, but also understand that this process is the only opportunity to maintain non-verbal contact and emotional connection with her child. But you shouldn’t teach your baby to literally grow in your arms. This harms his character; often such children, growing up, insistently demand to be held in their arms as often as possible. Breastfeeding an “overage” baby is also not worth it. The older the child, the more painful the separation from infant feeding.

If we talk about the benefits of feeding for the mother, then here too natural factors only benefit health. Although some women refuse this process “for the sake of their figure,” weight gain is a temporary phenomenon. This is due to the body’s accumulation of water, protein and fat - building material for the baby. After the lactation process is completed, the body itself stops storing all this, and the weight returns to normal if you lead an active lifestyle.

But this is not the main thing. When maternal functions run their course, it prevents female cancer. Breastfeeding after 40 years leads to healing and rejuvenation of the body at the hormonal level. During breastfeeding there are no periods: the likelihood of pregnancy is negligible. When feeding, the uterus contracts faster and falls into place.

How to hold your baby correctly while breastfeeding

A nursing mother should not only know everything about lactation and breastfeeding, but also understand how important a calm environment and comfortable conditions are. In peace and quiet with soft lighting, the baby digests food better, and the mother produces milk. Therefore, at all times, people subconsciously left a nursing woman alone with a child, giving them the opportunity to feed the baby without being distracted by external stimuli.

The classic position is breastfeeding while sitting, the baby should eat with his head raised, the mother slightly presses him to herself. It is important to sit as comfortably as possible, and do not forget to apply the baby to the right and left breasts for 15-20 minutes (and longer if you are feeding twins).

Signs that mom is sitting incorrectly:

• nagging pain in the lower back;
• severe discomfort;
• unmotivated irritation;
• numbness in the limbs or muscles;
• fatigue before finishing feeding.

Many mothers, even before giving birth, are interested in how to properly hold their baby while breastfeeding? Is it possible to feed lying and standing? Should I use a pad and a baby bandage for breastfeeding? These are all relevant questions, the answers to which will be provided by practical experience.

Half asleep, when feeding occurs at night, you want to take a little nap, lying on your side or half-sitting. This is convenient when you feed in a chair or on the sofa, placing pillows under your head and behind your back. A newborn, while he is small and light, can be held with a pillow to form the most comfortable position for his spine.

It’s wonderful when both participants in breastfeeding feel comfortable: the baby catches the sounds of the heartbeat and hears the mother’s smell. But half-asleep feeding contains a great danger: a mother, tired from daily worries about the baby, may not notice how her breasts block the baby’s nose as she falls asleep. There are many tragic cases in history when the mother or nurse “slept the child to sleep.” This happened even in royal families. Therefore, it is important to sit while feeding your baby so as not to fall asleep. The free breast should not be squeezed: ensure a natural flow of milk.

Some mothers use special bags and bandages to move around the city with their baby - an idea borrowed from the indigenous ethnic groups of Asia and Africa. At the same time, your hands are not busy, the child can be fed on the go, and some have also been noticed smoking while the baby is trying to eat. All this is unacceptable!

Any doctor will confirm that these devices cannot be used immediately after birth, but only after 3-5 months, when the baby’s spine becomes stronger. You can feed in a bandage, but not on the go, not standing in the subway, but sitting on a comfortable city bench, in a secluded corner of the park, where it is quiet and not crowded. This is possible in exceptional cases, occasionally, and not daily on walks, in order to save time by combining important components in the daily schedule.

In a sitting position, it is also convenient to place a small stool under your foot, as classical guitarists do. She will support the baby in a comfortable position at the breast that is involved in feeding. The mother, leaning on the handrails of the chair or the side of the sofa, holds the baby's head with her hand so that he does not throw it back.

When you have to feed two newborns at once (twins, twins, a second adopted baby), they are placed on their sides, slightly leaning forward. If one baby is sleeping and the second is awake, then they are fed alternately, but each from one breast, leaving the remaining milk for the second twin.

If we talk about the position of the child’s face, then there are also some nuances here. It should lie as close to the nipple as possible, while visual contact with the mother is important, and the chin should be in contact with the breast. The baby will not immediately learn to grasp the areolas by opening his mouth wide and moving his lip down. Correct grip does not lead to pain and injury to the tissue of the mother's breast.

Which breast should I start feeding my baby with?

There is an opinion that at the next feeding the baby should be applied to only one breast. People have long said that there is “front” and “hind” milk. In this case, “hind” milk is formed in the breast that was not given (enriched in fat and protein). Foremilk is less rich and contains more liquid and lactose. But in practice, it does not always turn out that the baby is full from one breast, so he is “supplemented” from the other. Then, at the next feeding, you should start from the breast where you finished.

If this advice is true, you can regulate the baby’s “menu”. Some babies are prone to being overweight, and it is advisable to “dilute” the fattier mother’s milk with foremil at one feeding, and express the remaining milk. Other mothers have a genetically less nourishing “natural product”, so it is better for the baby to withstand “hind” milk.

Keep in mind that real “mature” milk is formed only 2-3 weeks after birth. When the milk is too rich, the baby is given boiled water in the nipple between feedings: he gets thirsty and becomes capricious, pushing out the breast. But it is advisable to discuss this issue with a doctor if it seems that the baby needs to be “diluted.”

Upon completion of the breastfeeding process, it is recommended to lift newborns briefly, holding them upright. This is necessary so that the air that babies swallow with milk comes out. It provokes intestinal colic. But over time, children get used to the correct grip of the nipples, swallowing less and less air. Belching is audible, but sometimes a small amount of milk is regurgitated - this is normal. Afterwards, it is advisable to rinse the breasts and let them dry.

Feeding on schedule or on demand?

Most pediatricians, when discussing breastfeeding problems, give advice to a nursing mother that breastfeeding requires a certain order. They are inclined to believe that it is advisable to accustom the child to a certain feeding regimen - at regular intervals. But with one caveat - without fanaticism! Any doctor will tell you that if a baby is hungry, he needs to be fed.

On the other hand, the correct process stimulates the production of mother's milk. It arrives at the next feeding in sufficient quantity. Some children eat more often, waking up on a “schedule” during the day and at night. Other babies sleep almost all night without waking up to eat. Most infants eat 8 to 12 times a day, especially after maternity hospital.

Young mothers do not yet know how to distinguish the whims of a baby from his “hungry cry.” But their maternal instinct works in an amazing way - when the baby cries, milk flows more actively.

The main signs that a child is hungry:

• smacks lips;
• makes sucking movements;
• turns his head (in search of his mother’s breast);
• cries or acts up more persistently;
• waving his arms in search of his mother.

When there is not enough milk, mothers try to feed the baby less often, switching to complementary feeding with adapted formulas. This practice is considered normal before weaning, but not at the beginning of the lactation period.

Sometimes a child does not want to suck on a tight breast on his own, preferring a pacifier. And the mother has to pump so that he receives such a valuable “natural product”. Frequent feedings are beneficial for stimulating milk production. It is especially important to establish this process in primiparas who have difficulties with breastfeeding.

When a nursing mother and her baby get used to a certain regimen, a kind of balance is formed:

• the saturation of milk with fats, proteins and lactose (the percentage is individual for each mother);
• intervals between feedings are approximately 2.5-3.5 hours;
• number of breastfeedings: 6-12 times;
• Duration of feeding until satiation: 10-20 minutes;
• need for night feedings or lack thereof.

The sleep-wake schedule also varies: some children “walk” at night and sleep during daytime walks. All this affects the rest time of the nursing mother, and some are very exhausted by the “all-night vigil” of the little person. They say that “indigo”, “academician” or “owl” grows, and these biorhythms are very difficult to change. Other babies fall asleep very early, even in winter, but the mother has to reckon with this schedule.

Important components of breastfeeding technique

Breastfeeding has a beneficial effect on the health of mother and child. But there are many difficulties that periodically overshadow happy motherhood. A newborn has a lot to learn, he only has a swallowing and sucking reflex, and he distinguishes his mother by smell and heartbeat.

When enough milk is produced in the breast, feeding the baby is not difficult, but breastfeeding consists of different components:

1. Feeding frequency (fluctuates throughout the lactation period). Babies over 6 months can be weaned and transferred to complementary foods and adapted formulas.
2. The duration of a baby's meal depends on the composition and quantity of milk, the child's activity and his desire to work on sucking the coveted product.
3. A way of grasping the chest, which is partly reflexive, partly from experience. The mother must help the weak creature grasp the nipple correctly so that feeding is comfortable for both. It is important to ensure that the breast tissue does not block the baby's nose.
4. Choosing a feeding source. You should start with the right or left breast, give alternately or feed from one, then after sleep start with the other. Every decision has its own reasons.
5. Feeding position (use of pillows, benches, armrests, bandage), which was discussed in detail in one of the sections.

Some babies suck weakly and quickly fall asleep at their mother's breast, so you have to pat him on the head or pat him on the cheek. After this, he begins to eat more actively. In all this, a young mother needs to be knowledgeable enough to make it easier to solve problems.

There are not many difficulties with breastfeeding:

• pathology of the nipples (concave);
• baby's refusal to breastfeed;
• painful cracks in the nipples;
• lactostasis and mastopathy (milk stagnation and inflammatory processes in the breast).

Feeding during mother's illness can only be done after consulting a doctor, especially when there are painful cracks around the nipples (this needs to be treated immediately). For viral infections, it is better to postpone feeding. Sometimes the baby bites the nipple, so you need to be patient and wise rather than irritated.

It is advisable to start feeding from the first day after birth. You can feed for up to six months without complementary foods and water, if the milk meets all the parameters. It is important to adhere to the regime, but it is advisable to feed the baby at the first request.

When should you not breastfeed?

Contraindications to breastfeeding are some diseases of a nursing mother:

For seasonal respiratory diseases, use a gauze bandage, be careful, and wash your hands more often. As a rule, the crib is moved to another room, but feeding is not canceled. The list of seasonal diseases includes: sore throat and flu, mild forms of inflammation of the respiratory tract.

It is better to entrust close relatives or family members with basic care for the baby during the “virus quarantine”. It is advisable to minimize contact with the baby - pick him up only during breastfeeding.

When a baby has severe genetic disorders associated with impaired absorption of protein and lactose, it is also impossible to feed him. Only a specialist can select specialized imported mixtures for this problem. In cases of severe prematurity, when the child’s organs and tissues are underdeveloped, only a doctor should allow feeding.

Properties of breast milk

Breast milk is a product of the mammary gland. It is produced under the influence of the hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which appear after childbirth. The intensity of production depends to some extent on the activity of the baby (empty breasts). The characteristics of the most active milk production are observed up to 4-5 months - the peak of breastfeeding of a newborn, then the intensity decreases.

The biochemical composition of breast milk changes over time:

• Colostrum (a thick, sticky yellow mass with a large number of immune bodies) is concentrated, fatty, and produced in small quantities.
• Transitional milk appears 4-5 days after birth, it is more liquid, the color is whiter, there is more of it.
• Mature milk is formed at 3 weeks. It has a classic (white) color, liquid, sweet, not as fatty as colostrum, and its composition best suits the needs of a rapidly growing body.

Mature milk consists of 88-90% water, so there is no need to “supplement” the baby without the need. Fat content varies depending on the mother's diet and genetic predisposition to obesity. If a woman produces almost no subcutaneous fat, then regardless of diet, breast milk will also contain much less than the standard minimum - 3-4%.

Foremilk, produced at the beginning of feeding, is less rich in proteins and fats, but is high in lactose. The “back” is formed in the intervals between lactation, it is quite high in calories, the baby gets full quite quickly.

Lactose, which is up to 7-8% in breast milk, makes the taste of the “baby product” more pleasant. And if you breastfeed a child for a long time, then a craving for sweet food is laid in his subconscious. Lactose is very beneficial for intestinal microflora and gastrointestinal function.

Milk contains various vitamins and biologically active substances in microscopic doses that cannot be synthesized artificially. These are exactly what the baby lacks in adapted mixtures, which are balanced in percentage terms in all respects.

Karina is a regular expert on the PupsFull portal. She writes articles about games, pregnancy, parenting and learning, child care and the health of mother and child.

Articles written

For a baby in the first months of life, the healthiest food is breast milk. The components included in its composition allow the baby to fully develop and grow. To prevent the feeding process from becoming a painful procedure, young mothers should not make common mistakes. They should know how to feed a child, when it is best to do it and what mistakes to avoid.

Now let's look at this in more detail.

Features of the first attachment of a newborn

The first placement of the baby on the mother's breast is the final process of childbirth. This manipulation is mandatory, because this is the only way to establish and enhance lactation. Let's take a closer look at why it is so important to put the baby to the mother's breast in the first minutes of birth?

The first application of the baby should occur immediately after its appearance in this world. It is important that the meeting between mother and baby occurs no later than 30 minutes. As soon as the baby was born, the doctor cut off his umbilical cord, and he was immediately sent to his mother’s breast.

The pediatrician present at the birth should help the baby find the nipple with his lips and grab it. This is exactly how the first application occurs.

Why so little? This time will be enough for him to feel his mother and receive the necessary portion of colostrum, the beneficial properties of which we will talk about later. In addition, the baby is laid naked on the mother’s chest, but he cannot remain undressed for a long time, as he will simply freeze.

The purpose of the first application is to feed the baby with valuable drops of colostrum. In this case, it is possible to form reliable immunity to protect the body. The reason is that colostrum contains valuable components. Thanks to them, the baby’s body is protected from various infections that tend to infect the still weakened body of the infant.

The first application is a kind of vaccination of a newborn baby against various ailments.

Valuable properties of colostrum

Colostrum is a secretion of the mammary glands, the production of which occurs before childbirth and in the last days of pregnancy. A secret arises against the backdrop of the expectant mother’s body producing a hormone called. It is he who influences the formation of milk in a woman’s breast.

Colostrum is a liquid with a thick consistency. Its color is yellow or gray-yellow. The composition contains a large amount of:

• proteins,
• mineral microelements,
• vitamin A,
• vitamins B, E.

All these components are contained in large quantities, but sugar and fats are present in low concentrations.

The chemical composition of colostrum is quite complex and differs in many ways from the composition of milk. This secret contains more than 30 components. Each woman has a different composition of colostrum, which is associated with individual characteristics of the body.

Duration of feeding in the first days and weeks of life

Most inexperienced mothers are concerned about the duration of breastfeeding in the first days and weeks. Doctors recommend feeding the baby until he releases the nipple on his own. How to prepare nipples for feeding. There is absolutely no need to set a specific feeding schedule, adhering to a specific time.

The baby should stay at the breast for as long as he wants. Typically this lasts 25 minutes. During this time, the baby manages to get enough of watery milk, and then fatter milk.

Mom should not remove the nipple from the baby's mouth if she begins to fall asleep. Feeding should be extended. Only in this case you need to make sure that the newborn does not choke. By sucking during sleep, the baby feeds on milk, which contains the most valuable fats and proteins.

It is necessary to show concern when a month-old baby sucks at the breast for only 10 minutes and then refuses it.

The duration of feeding is determined by the age of the baby. The older he is, the faster and less often he eats. Already at 3 months, the baby’s body becomes strong, strong, and the child himself is able to absorb large amounts of milk. This is also the age when a baby in acute form experiences psycho-emotional discomfort and the need for reassurance.

How often to feed a baby in the first month

If breastfeeding is carried out by healthy and full-term babies, then the number of feedings per day will be 6-7 times. The break between feedings is 3 hours. It is important that the baby consumes a sufficient amount of the product.

To feed a one-month-old baby, you need 600 ml of milk per day. During one feeding he eats 100 ml.

Common Mom Mistakes

Very often, due to her inexperience, a nursing mother makes a number of common mistakes:

1. When a woman experiences discomfort or pain while breastfeeding, then this is not worth tolerating. Sometimes the cause of discomfort is that the baby has not completely latched onto the breast. To fix the problem, you just need to adjust the breasts and attach them correctly.
   will teach the correct position and breastfeeding.
2. Breastfeeding should occur on demand. There is no need to take away your breasts. The baby will let her go when he is satisfied.
3. Mommies wake up their baby, who fell asleep after 5 minutes of sucking. This is wrong, although in such a short period the baby does not yet have time to be fully satisfied. In this case, you need to wait until the baby releases the nipple on its own.
4. You should not give your baby two breasts at once at one feeding.. He is not yet able to suck one breast completely. When milk leaks from one breast during feeding from the other, it is worth putting a pad in your bra. Recommended for breastfeeding women. They feel more comfortable in special underwear.
5. Don't pump after feeding. The mammary gland is designed in such a way that the more milk is taken from it, the more it will give.
   After feeding your baby and expressing milk, you stimulate the mammary glands to produce a large amount of milk, which can lead to stagnation. We described what this painful condition is in a previous article.

Feeding a baby lasts on average 25 minutes.

Useful information for nursing mothers and women preparing for motherhood about colostrum and breastfeeding in this video:

Feeding a child in the first month of life is a very responsible process that requires compliance with certain rules. If a nursing mother remembers them and sticks to them, then neither she nor the baby will have any problems during the feeding period.

The first problem a young mother faces is feeding. How to hold the baby, will it hurt, is he full or not, is there enough milk? Such thoughts come to the mind of every woman in labor when they bring her baby for feeding for the first time.

A woman should not be considered an alarmist. These are the right questions to ask a responsible and caring mother. It’s bad when these thoughts do not occur to a young mother. The health and growth of the baby directly depends on them, because improper attachment can easily lead to breast refusal or cessation of lactation.

How to breastfeed your baby correctly: basics and methods

The first feeding is the most important. Mother and child get to know each other, the woman begins the process of producing milk directly, and the baby receives the most important substance for his life - colostrum.

Colostrum is the key to immunity. It contains no carbohydrates and is rich in vitamins and calcium.

It is released in a woman’s body during the first 3 days after childbirth.

It is very important to apply correctly to the breast. If the baby is uncomfortable, he will not eat enough, his healthy growth will be disrupted, and the mother’s lactation process will be disrupted.

Highlights:

• the baby should always be under the mother’s breast;
• the head should not be fixed rigidly, so that the baby has the opportunity to regulate the nipple in the mouth, and move away when it is full;
• the halo around the nipple should be swallowed during sucking;
• During sucking there should be no sounds other than swallowing.

You can feed your baby:

• by the hour. Previously, it was customary to feed a newborn strictly according to the clock. In modern times, this theory is refuted. Due to strong changes in the environment, food, and human lifestyle, hourly feeding has become irrelevant, because the development of each individual child is very different from the development of his peers;
• on demand. A current technique based on breastfeeding on demand. It follows a certain regime based on rational thinking - a healthy child who receives a full portion will not want to eat earlier than after 1.5 - 2 hours. Depending on the fat content of the milk, time of day, age and natural activity of the baby, the time period can reach 4 hours at night. If a child has eaten and then starts crying half an hour later, the likelihood that he is hungry is extremely low. Look for another reason - colic, full diaper, wants to sleep, misses mom.

Attachment to the breast of a newborn: technique and rules

Sequence of actions:

• turn the child towards you with his whole body (put him on his side), his face is opposite the chest, slightly below;
• take the breast in your free hand, without squeezing the ducts - the thumb is on top, above the areola, the rest of the palm is below;
• touch the baby's lips with the nipple. The smell and sensation will activate the reflex, and the baby will open his mouth wide. Does not open - repeat the movement;
• Place the nipple with the aureole into the open mouth. The lower lip is turned outward and “swallows” the halo, the tongue touches the lower part of the halo, the nose and chin are pressed to the chest, the child’s body is pressed to the mother. Often the baby places his upper free hand on his mother’s chest.

The head and body should be in one straight line.

The head should not be clearly turned to the side or thrown back.

The best thing to do is to wait until the baby lets go, except in situations where the breast is sucking incorrectly - there are sounds of smacking, the mother is in pain, the halo is not swallowed.

How to properly breastfeed in different positions

You can breastfeed a newborn in at least three positions: sitting, lying and standing.

• feeding in a lying position. The mother lies on her side, the child next to her. The danger of this position is that it can suffocate the baby with the breast. The baby is unable to scream or push his mother away, but the woman may fall asleep or get distracted. A few seconds without air is enough for the baby. Conclusion - when feeding in a supine position, a woman needs to be very attentive and collected;
• feeding while standing. The position does not pose a danger to the child, but is very difficult for the mother. The entire weight of the baby rests on her arms and the woman quickly gets tired. In addition, it can be difficult to adjust both hands to carry a baby. As a rule, the child is carried on only one arm;
• feeding while sitting. It is convenient for mom and safe for baby. The baby lies on one arm, pressed against the mother, and the mother’s hand is additionally supported by a pillow/armrest/blanket/her own stomach.

How often to change breasts

Breasts change every feeding. The first time the baby eats from the left, then from the right, then again from the left, etc. The process of changing breasts while feeding has two pitfalls.

• The first is night feeding.

The young mother becomes very exhausted during the whole day and by nightfall she has no strength left. Just the thought that every 2-3 hours you will need to get up and feed your baby with a different breast leads to a quiet shock.

It’s easier to put it under your side and give only one breast at night, because the baby asks to eat less often than during the day. This is not true. The lactation process is disrupted. By morning, the second breast is filled with milk to the point of pain, and after a few days the daily milk volume decreases.

Moreover, when a child eats only one breast for 2-3 feedings in a row, it does not have time to accumulate the required amount of “distant”, nourishing milk. As a result, the baby does not eat enough and constantly wakes up and cries.

There are two ways out in such a situation. Be patient and wait until the baby eats 1-2 times a night, which will give mom a chance to sleep for several hours in a row, or involve dad. The second option occurs quite often.

The couple schedules the night and the father, at the allotted time, gets up, brings the baby to the mother on the right side, waits for the baby to eat, and takes him back to the crib.

If the baby sleeps next to mom, dad's task becomes a little easier - there is no need to go to the crib.

The father will need to learn feeding techniques and monitor the mother’s position so as not to crush the baby.

• The second is malnutrition.

For various reasons, children may not suck all the milk that has accumulated there from the breast. Remaining milk can lead to mastitis - an inflammatory process in the breast, in which microbes begin to actively multiply in stagnant milk.

The chest “burns” (at the site of stagnation the skin is very hot), the overall body temperature rises, there is pain and tightness in the chest.

The second unpleasant consequence of uneaten milk is a decline in lactation. If the baby has not finished milk from one breast, it needs to be expressed and given to the second breast at the next feeding.

You cannot supplement with leftovers from the first one and then change it to the second one. Too much milk will remain in the second breast, the body will take this as a mistake and produce a much smaller volume next time.

The lactation process is disrupted and milk is not produced at all.

How to tell if your baby is full

There are several signs that indicate that a baby is getting enough of its mother's milk.

Among them are immediate and long-term phenomena:

• The child released the breast on his own. The instincts of a newborn are “smarter” than a council of scientific luminaries. If the stomach is full, the necessary amount of energy has entered the body, the feeling of hunger dissipates, and the baby releases the breast on its own. He doesn’t reach out to her, doesn’t give in to provocations, doesn’t scream;
• the baby fell asleep. A well-fed body goes into energy processing mode, and for this it needs rest. The sleep will be sound and deep. There are situations when the mother does not have enough milk. In such cases, the child sucks, gets tired of it and falls asleep. He is not full, his sleep is light, with constant whimpering and attempts to grab the breast and continue to suck;
• The child is gaining weight steadily. This is a long-term symptom that can be observed at weekly or even monthly intervals. According to the USSR State Standard, a one-year-old child should gain about 1 kg per month. In modern times, these parameters are less clear, but generally very close. Much depends on heredity;
• The baby has regular and good bowel movements. Timely trips to the toilet are a clear sign of the proper functioning of the digestive system. And its work depends solely on the volume of food. The baby should have moderately loose stools, uniform in color, time-related with feeding.

Rules and methods for breastfeeding twins

You can feed twins at the same time or take turns. When children are very small and feedings are frequent, it is much easier to feed at the same time, otherwise life will turn into one continuous feeding. As babies grow older, the breaks between feedings will become longer; you can take turns feeding them to the breast.

Regardless of whether children are fed simultaneously or alternately, breasts must be changed at each feeding.

Sasha eats the left one, Petya eats the right one, at the next feeding they switched places. Children may not suckle equally, milk is delivered unevenly to each breast, therefore, to balance and maintain lactation, shifts are required.

There are two ways to feed twins at the same time: crosswise or on each side of the mother.

How to feed babies at the same time

• Criss cross. Relevant for newborns. The children are very small, it is easy for mother to hold them, they practically do not move and do not interfere with each other. One child is applied to the left breast, with its legs to the mother’s right hand and pressed against the mother’s belly. The second one is to the right chest, with its legs under the left arm and pressed against the brother/sister. The head level is adjusted with the elbows;
• On the sides. Mom sits on the bed/sofa and makes a pedestal for each arm on which the children will lie. Its height is selected so that the children's head is under the mother's breast. Use large pillows or blankets. Each child lies down on a pillow, head to chest, legs behind mother's back. Mom supports and regulates the heads with her palms.

Question - answer

• Can/should infants be given water to drink?

No! No way! Milk completely replaces both water and food for a child! Lactation in the mother, intestinal microflora and appetite in the child will be disrupted.

• Is it worth stimulating lactation?

If there is no evidence, it’s not worth it. This issue can only be resolved by a doctor. Correctly delivered breastfeeding in itself stimulates milk production.

• How do you know if milk has enough calories?

If mom has a full diet, and not just one carrot on her plate, everything is fine. The child is gaining weight, sleeping peacefully, not hysterical - there is no need to stress yourself out. If in doubt, try it yourself.

• How long should you breastfeed your baby?

From the age of one year, children are transferred to a full-fledged “adult” diet. The introduction of complementary foods to breastfeeding infants begins at six months. For underweight – from 4 months.

• How to stop breastfeeding?

Ideally, over 6 months, the child gradually weans himself from the breast, as new, tasty and interesting foods appear on his menu. If you don’t encourage his whims with your breasts, there shouldn’t be any problems. The milk will go away automatically if you drink it in smaller volumes.

There is nothing to drink - there is no need to suck. The circle is closed, the problem is solved. If the situation is different, it is better to contact a specialist. Active production of milk that is not eaten can lead to inflammation of the mammary glands.

• What if he moves?

If he overdoes it, he will regurgitate the excess on his own.

• Milk stagnation (mastitis)?

Put the baby to the breast more often, do a light massage under a warm shower and compresses of cabbage leaves with honey.

• How long should I feed?

Until the child gets enough to eat. Each mother has milk with an individual calorie content, and each child has individual needs.

For one, 10 minutes is enough, and for another, half an hour. The baby will release the breast on its own when it is full.

• How to take away breasts?

Press on your chin or insert your finger behind your cheek. The baby will reflexively release the breast. Pulling out is strictly prohibited!

For more information on how to properly breastfeed your baby, watch the following video.

Every mother wants to see her child healthy and from the first days of his life begins to give him everything he needs. This is breast milk, which contains useful substances and microelements necessary for the growth and strengthening of the child’s body.

However, in addition to the feeding process itself, other factors are also important - proper breast care, position comfort, pumping, the need for supplementary feeding, etc.

Find out all the nuances from our article: how to properly feed a newborn baby, the rules of feeding breast milk and formula, nutritional features during mixed feeding, how often and after what period of time to feed the baby (schedule and norm of food consumption for infants).

Natural feeding

In the first year Breast milk is a vital food for babies. In order for this period to bring only joy to the baby and mother, you should know about the basic rules of feeding.

What determines the amount of milk a mother has?

The amount of milk can be affected by:

• suffered stress;
• insufficient sleep;
• mother's nutritional characteristics;
• lack of physical activity;
• fatigue;
• hereditary predisposition;
• lack of rest.

Breast size does not affect milk supply. Neither the shape of the nipple nor the type of milk matters.



Breastfeeding rules and breast care

When feeding, there is only one rule - feeding should be carried out in a separate room, where there is no one except mother and baby.

It doesn’t matter what position you take during feeding - sitting, lying, standing; the main thing is complete relaxation and convenience.



Separately, we need to talk about pumping and breast massage. These procedures should be carried out in the first 3-4 weeks after birth. Then the milk supply returns to normal.

Before pumping and massaging, hands and breasts should be washed with soap. Do not use products containing alcohol.

Regular baby soap is an excellent antiseptic. It is also necessary to ensure that the detergent does not remain on the chest after washing procedures.

It is not recommended to use soap before each feeding. The product is able to remove the fatty film that protects the mammary glands from external influences.

Therefore, you only need to wash your breasts once a day. If necessary, warm running water is sufficient.

The massage itself is not difficult. However, make sure that the glands are of the same density. If seals are detected, the massage is performed in this area more intensely.

The chest is supported with one hand from below. The second, using 4 fingers, you need to massage the mammary gland in a circular motion, starting from the ribs and moving to the nipple. The hand that supports the chest from below should not be idle - the technique is similar.

At the site of compaction, movements do not intensify, only the duration of the massage increases.

Pumping is an important step for a nursing mother. If excess milk is left unattended, it will lead to the development of mastitis.

So, Only two fingers should be involved in pumping- index and thumb. It is important to press not on the nipple, but on the gland tissue. The most effective method of expressing is using a breast pump.

Many difficulties associated with natural feeding include the appearance of cracks and abrasions on the nipples. These phenomena occur due to:



• child activity;
• characteristics of the mother's skin;
• insufficient hygiene.

Preventive measures must be followed. This includes:

• the nipple should always be dry after feeding (to do this, blot it with sterile gauze);
• breast cleanliness;
• a nursing mother should not wear underwear containing synthetics - only cotton;
• the child should grasp the area around the nipple (halo), and not the nipple;
• if a crack is detected, treatment begins immediately;
• the mother’s nails should be short (so as not to get scratched during pumping);
• Do not hold your baby near your breast for more than 20 minutes;
• You cannot bring the baby to such a degree of hunger that he attacks the breast;
• perform massage and pumping;
• Keep your chest open if possible.

To treat abrasions and cracks, use oil-based vitamin A (sold in pharmacies), Bepanten, sea buckthorn oil, and special aerosols (without antibiotics).

If suppuration appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Meals by the hour or on demand

After how many hours should a newborn baby be fed breast milk?



Two options for natural feeding are being considered– feeding by the hour and on demand. Both options are equally relevant and acceptable.

Feeding by the clock is carried out strictly at a certain time every 3 hours. At night there is a break of 6 hours.

This regime lasts up to 2 months. Then the interval between feedings increases to 3.5 hours, and at night - up to 7 hours.

The advantage of this method is that it teaches the child discipline from early childhood. Otherwise, this method is a radical choice on the part of the mother, since not all children agree with the regime.

Feeding on demand is the most popular choice among modern parents.

After birth, the child experiences extreme stress, and the only effective way to get rid of it is physical contact with the mother. That's why it's so important to put your baby to the breast when he wants it. After all, sucking is not only a process of receiving food, but also an effective method of calming a child.

This method is a highly effective means of maintaining lactation.

However, frequent feeding will not allow the mother to do household chores, so the baby should be put to the breast not at the first signs of anxiety, smacking lips, grunting, sniffling, but when the baby really needs food - once every 2 hours with a 20-minute feeding duration .

Dr. Komarovsky will tell you a few words about the breastfeeding regimen and how to properly feed a newborn baby with breast milk:

Which option to choose

The basic rule is a healthy child knows when he needs food. You shouldn’t wake him up just because, in his mother’s opinion, it’s time for him to eat. Exceptions are the following cases:

• if mom needs to leave urgently;
• children who weigh little.

The optimal interval between feedings for children under 1 month is 2-3 hours. Then the baby himself will gradually increase it as he grows and develops.

An important condition is to apply only to one breast during one feeding. This rule is irrelevant if the baby has not eaten enough or if the mother has cracks in her nipples.

Make sure that the baby makes swallowing movements and not sucking while applying. If you don’t stop his desire to “hang” on his mother’s chest in time, then in the future it will be quite difficult to wean him from his favorite activity.

Feeding a baby from a bottle

Bottle feeding a baby is different from breastfeeding. In the latter case, he himself determines the volume of milk and the duration of feeding. Due to this, milk production adapts to the baby's needs and changes as he grows.



There are different ways to feed a baby with breast milk if the mother is not around. This situation is justified due to the mother’s inability to put the baby to the breast (severe pain, urgent departure, etc.).

Then It is allowed to feed from a bottle with a nipple. Today, this method is in demand for artificial and mixed feeding or if the mother is not around.

The advantage of a pacifier is that it is the safest and most natural process for absorbing food.

However, sucking from a bottle and from the mother's breast have significant differences. In the first case, the baby makes less effort. Therefore, after getting acquainted with the bottle, many infants refuse their mother's breast.

An alternative is to choose a special pacifier.

• When tilting the bottle, no drops of milk should come out of the nipple.
• When pressing on a wide area of ​​the nipple, a trickle should appear.

Remember to take care of your bottle. It is necessary to regularly wash and rinse children's containers with boiling water.

Expressed breast milk can be frozen. This will preserve all the vitamins and beneficial microelements, and the newborn will not remain hungry if the mother is away on business. It is not recommended to mix milk after several pumpings. Frozen liquid can be stored for no more than 2 months.

What to do if there is no lactation

What to feed a newborn baby if there is no milk? Often in medical practice There are cases when the mother does not have enough milk for complete nutrition of the baby. Additional measures agreed with the doctor can correct the situation.



• Mom should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
• You should apply crumbs in the first days of his life as often as possible.
• Do not replace breast milk with other liquids.
• Night latching is the main condition for good lactation.
• Proper nutrition for mom is also important.

10-15 minutes before feeding, mother should drink a glass of warm sweet tea with milk or dried fruit compote.

No stress or worries: with emotional disorders in women, lactation worsens.



Why can't you eat grapes while breastfeeding? You will find answers to questions about nutrition for nursing mothers.

Introducing formula into a baby's diet

If, despite all the efforts of the mother, there is still enough milk, then, willy-nilly, you will have to use additional nutrition - switch to mixed feeding. In the case of a complete transfer to infant formula, we can talk about artificial nutrition.

What to give

The baby should receive nutrition that is as close in composition to breast milk as possible. Such products are mixtures.

All mixtures are divided into 3 groups:



• partially adapted (children after one year);
• less adapted (after 6 months);
• maximum adapted (up to 6 months).

The best formula will be the one on the packaging that says: “Intended for feeding children from birth to 1 year.”

You should not change baby food often, as the baby may develop unpleasant reactions in the form of diarrhea, frequent regurgitation, allergic rashes, etc.

It is necessary to switch to another mixture in the following cases:

• if the baby is not gaining weight;
• if he has frequent constipation.

It is unacceptable to give diluted cow's milk as supplementary feeding (full feeding). This can lead to irreversible consequences.

The product does not contain those beneficial minerals and vitamins that are found in an adapted formula or breast milk.

Mixed feeding rules

• Give breast first, then formula.
• Only one feeding can be replaced with formula.

The product should be introduced gradually, starting with a small amount. The temperature of the mixture should not exceed the child’s body temperature. The product must be diluted only with boiled water.

Here is another interesting video with the participation of Evgeny Komarovsky, from which you will learn about the feeding regimen of a newborn, whether you need to feed him at night and how many times this can be done:

Feeding hours and dosage

How to properly feed a newborn baby with formula and do you need to do it over time?

With artificial feeding in the first months of life, 6-7 meals a day are recommended with an interval of 3-3.5 hours.

At night, you should do a 6-hour interval. It is important to consider the required volume, which is calculated depending on age and weight.

So, for the first six months of life, a baby needs 115 kcal per 1 kg, after 6 months - 110 kcal.

The daily amount of food required by a baby with normal weight indicators is:

• from 7 days to 2 months – 1/5 body weight;
• from 2 to 4 – 1/6 body weight;
• from 6 to 12 months – 1/8.



A new mixture is introduced according to the following schedule:

• 1 day – 10 ml once a day;
• Day 2 – 10 ml 3 times a day;
• Day 3 – 20 ml 3 times a day;
• Day 4 – 50 ml 5 times a day;
• Day 5 – 100 ml 4 times a day;
• Day 6 - 150 ml 4 times a day.

Start of complementary feeding

Learn to distinguish between “complementary feeding” and “supplementary feeding”. In the first situation, the baby receives additional food to prepare for adult life and food. In the second, in case of lack of milk, it is supplemented with formula.



Complementary foods are introduced at 6 months of age- with breastfeeding and 5 - with artificial nutrition. Until this time, nothing other than mother's milk, formula and water can be given.

Start gradually and with caution. For the first time, you need to give half a teaspoon of complementary foods, and then supplement with milk or formula. A “test” is possible before the second feeding, at 9-11 am.

Assess the child's reaction to a new product. If there is no rash, irritation, anxiety, constipation (diarrhea), then the next day you can give 2 times more.

Under no circumstances should you introduce an unfamiliar product during illness or after vaccination. If any reaction occurs, the start of complementary feeding is delayed for 1-2 weeks.

Don't force your child to eat. Perhaps the baby is not yet ready for a new stage in life.

Find out detailed instructions for use on our website for newborns! We will tell you how the drug works and what are the indications for its use.

How to properly give Espumisan Baby to a baby? you will find out how effective this remedy is against abdominal discomfort in the little ones!

Reviews have been collected about the Malyutka dry mixture and the composition of this product.

Where to start feeding

It's better to start with vegetables, this is zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli. Any vegetable is thoroughly washed and boiled (in a double boiler or in a regular saucepan). Then it is ground with a blender.



On the first day - half a teaspoon. Then the dose is increased by 2 times every day and brought to normal.

If there are no adverse reactions to the new product, after 4 days you can try another vegetable, and then prepare a puree from the previously proposed products. After 10 days, one meal of dairy food should be completely replaced.

For the 7th month you can offer porridge. This should be done at the very last dose - before bedtime. To begin with, the baby should be introduced to buckwheat, rice and oatmeal, then gradually expand the diet.

Use special baby cereals intended for 7 months of age. Giving semolina porridge at this age is not recommended due to the presence of gluten.

At the 8th month, two feedings are already replaced. Now you can introduce your child to fermented milk products - kefir. On the 4th day, offer low-fat cottage cheese.

Fruits are introduced into complementary foods when the baby's first tooth appears. The first is an apple. It is not recommended to completely replace feeding with fruits. They are given in addition to the main diet.

Meat is introduced at 9 months of age, and fish - at 10 months. You can add half an yolk and vegetable oil to your diet. From the age of 10 months, soup is prepared in meat and fish broth, to which bread crumb is added. The introduction of vegetable oil and cookies is allowed.

By the age of one year, all 5 feedings should be completely replaced. Although some mothers still put their baby to the breast at night.

Water must be included in the diet. Its temperature should correspond to the baby's body temperature.

The main thing during breastfeeding is to eat well. It is prohibited during this period:

• drink alcoholic beverages;
• eat spicy, salty, spicy foods.

Necessary:

• exclude cow's milk, peas, beans, and white cabbage from the diet;
• limit the consumption of caffeine and chocolate;
• exclude fast food and semi-finished products.

During the feeding period, you should avoid stress and adhere to a sleep and rest schedule.

From this video lesson you will learn a lot of useful information about positions when breastfeeding a newborn, how to properly feed a baby in a sitting position and lying on its side, in which position it will be best for you and your baby:

Breastfeeding is a healthy and correct form of feeding a newborn. It is worth understanding the benefits of breastfeeding, finding out how to help yourself with possible complications and how to choose the right diet for breastfeeding.

Composition and benefits of breast milk

Breastfeeding by a mother is a natural and wonderful phenomenon that connects a mother with her child; in addition, it brings health benefits not only to the child, but also to the mother. Breast milk saturates the child's body with nutrients and substances necessary for the child's body. Increases cognitive abilities, reduces the occurrence of chronic diseases, and helps strengthen the immune system.

Basic The components of human milk are:fats, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals . And also the main component iswater . Everything is in a balanced state, we can say that there is nothing superfluous in the composition of human milk.

Squirrels

Breast milk contains a special fraction of proteins that is practically not destroyed in the baby’s digestive system and has immune activity, being components of the body’s defense system.

• Lactoferrin– iron-containing glycoprotein. Due to its ability to bind iron, it can block this element in the bacterial cells of pathogenic microorganisms, thereby suppressing their growth.
• Immunoglobulins is a group of whey proteins. Their variety is immunoglobulin IgA, which is capable of enveloping the mucous membrane of the intestines and throat, thereby preventing the penetration of viruses and bacteria through it.
• Lysozyme– like lactoferrin, it has bactericidal activity, disrupting the integrity of the bacterial membrane. In human milk its concentration is 300 times higher than in cow's milk.
• Alpha-lactalbumin- promotes the formation of peptides with immunoregulatory and antibacterial properties, supports the growth of bifid flora in the child’s intestines. When it is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract, bioactive lipids are formed, the so-called HAMLET complex, which helps destroy cancer cells.

Milk can independently change its composition, determining from saliva which proteins the child needs now!

Oligosaccharides

About 130 types of oligosaccharides have been identified, the biological role of most of them is still poorly understood. Many of them are able to suppress the binding of toxins of viral and microbial origin to intestinal epithelial cells. All oligosaccharides are prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora.

Water

About 90% of milk is water. Therefore, for a child it is both drink and food. Moreover, its temperature is optimal, such as is needed for good absorption of liquid. Thus, breast milk proves another advantage over artificial formulas: itsno need to heat or coolin case of overheating. Be sure to give your baby breastfeed as soon as he or she asks, perhaps he is just thirsty, and dehydration is extremely dangerous for a rapidly growing body, as it disrupts the functioning of many organs.

Fats

The fats in human milk are not exactly the milk fats we are used to. In terms of their consistency, they are an emulsion of a very thin composition. These fats are easily digested by gastric juice and are 95% absorbed by the body. They have twice the content of polyunsaturated acids than cow's milk, and also have a very low melting point.Human milk fat, like most natural fats, has several main components: triglycerides; phospholipids; sterols.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates in human milk are represented by lactose . This milk sugar differs in structure from animal lactose. For a newborn baby, it plays an invaluable role, since lactose supplies beneficial biphytobacteria to the intestines. As they develop, they suppress pathogens, and therefore those babies who are breastfed are much less likely to suffer from diseases of the digestive system.

Minerals

Their composition is so optimal that it does not imply a lack of any microelements. If, for example, cow's milk contains the same amount of calcium and phosphorus, then in mother's milk their ratio is already 2:1. And also, compared to cow’s milk, women’s milk has a higher content of the following elements: zinc, copper, potassium and iron, sodium, chlorine, phosphorus, calcium iodine and others.

There is enough calcium in milk, it is less than in cow's milk, but exactly as much as your baby needs for development and it is absorbed much better than from formula.

Vitamins

In terms of the amount of vitamins A, D and E, breast milkexceeds cow's by 2-3 times. Moreover, these vitamins are in optimal condition for the child. The amount of vitamins can only be influenced by the mother’s diet.



Vitamin K- little in colostrum, much in mature milk. At 2 weeks of a child’s life, its own flora is formed for the synthesis of this vitamin.

Vitamin E- sufficient for the child's needs.

Vitamin D- depends on the mother’s diet, so you need to eat fish, eggs, butter and flaxseed oil.

Water-soluble vitamins (ascorbic acid acid, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, folic acid and vitamin B6, B12 and others) directly depend on the mother's nutrition.

In addition, scientists have noticed that during the absorption of mother's milk, the baby spends much less gastric juice than when drinking cow's milk.

Enzymes and hormones

The main function of enzymes is to accelerate biochemical reactions, and hormones to regulate their speed. Enzymes in breast milk facilitate the absorption of its components. Since the synthesis of its own enzymes by the child’s body is still insufficient. Thus, the enzymes pepsinogen and trypsin are directly involved in the breakdown of protein. Lipase facilitates the breakdown of fat due to its partial hydrolysis before entering the stomach.

Nucleotides. When they talk about the protein content in milk, they often mean total protein, determined by the calculation method based on nitrogen content. However, the nitrogen-containing compounds of milk include not only proteins, peptides and amino acids, but also other nitrogen-containing compounds. Such substances include nucleotides - nitrogen-containing compounds, precursors of DNA and RNA, the content of which in breast milk is 7-10 mg/100 ml. In the human body, their synthesis is limited and occurs only in certain tissues. Therefore, food is almost the only opportunity for entry into the body. Their functions are as follows:

• maturation of the immune system and formation of an immune response;
• a universal source of energy that promotes cell growth and division;
• participate in the formation of normal intestinal microflora and the metabolism of essential fatty acids.

Breast milk contains immune cells (macrophages and leukocytes), which provide protection against various infections. In addition, breast milk contains dozens of types bifidobacteria , necessary for the formation of an adequate immune response and play a huge role in the fight against infections and inflammation.



What are the benefits of breast milk for a newborn?



Strong immunity

So, with a constant flow of nutrients and beneficial elements that are present in breast milk, important antibodies are transferred from mother to child. Infants are generally quite susceptible to illness, and complications often arise. Scientists have proven that infants have a reduced risk of developing various types of allergies and asthma, and they are also less likely to experience respiratory diseases and stomach upsets.

Breast milk protects baby from infections

So if mom gets sick , then l eukocytes in her body produce protective antibodies to the disease. Individual white blood cells enter the mammary gland and produce antibodies there. Antibodies to the mother's infection pass into the milk and protect the baby.

If a child is sick : Mom inhales and absorbs pathogens from the baby's skin when she kisses, smells, washes, and cuddles the baby. The mother's immune system receives information about the infection and activates its lymphocytes. Activated lymphocytes penetrate the mother's breast and begin to secrete antibodies into the milk. The baby suckles and receives updated protection - antibodies developed specifically to fight the current infection.

Disease Prevention

Recent studies have established the fact that without drinking mother's milk, infants develop diseases such as obesity and even asthma, this is a very significant advantage of this process.

Normal height

The necessary composition of minerals and nutrients that breast milk contains is ideally accepted by the child’s body. Milk contains proteins, fats, antibodies and vitamins. The quality of the milk itself is also affected by the products consumed by the mother; during the first postpartum months, the mother should eat only high-quality and healthy products and adhere to a certain diet.

Enhance Cognitive Skills

Scientists have also linked breastfeeding with an increase in IQ scores in an already mature child. Even as it grows, cognitive abilities increase.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for a mother?



Losing weight gained during pregnancy

It is believed that it is especially important for women who have gained excess weight during pregnancy not to give up breastfeeding, since the child’s body absorbs nutrients from the mother’s body, the so-called proteins and fats. Because of this, a large number of calories are burned from breastfeeding, and this process also speeds up the metabolism.

Stopping uterine bleeding

Thanks to the hormone oxytocin, which the body produces during lactation, the uterus, being protected, returns without problems to its prenatal state. Heavy bleeding can cause postpartum complications. Breastfeeding can help reduce the chances of these complications.

Improved emotional state

Among women who have given birth, such a dangerous consequence as postpartum depression occurs. With the help of breastfeeding, in close contact with the baby, mothers experience a decrease in anxiety and an improvement in their overall emotional state.

Strong Bones

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the body's ability to absorb calcium increases, which is why a nursing mother is four times less likely to develop osteoporosis.

WHO rules on breastfeeding

Almost every woman is capable of breastfeeding her child, provided she has a sufficient amount of milk. According to statistics, only about 5% of women cannot breastfeed due to hormonal imbalances.

• It is necessary to feed the child “on demand” ", not by the clock. Feed your baby when he begins to sob, wakes up and looks for the breast, tries and cannot sleep. Remember that milk is not only food for your baby, but also drink. If feeding occurs in the winter, the baby may need frequent breastfeeding. In the first days, it will seem to you that you spend all the time with him “in your arms.” Gradually your regimen will come to ten to twelve feedings per day. A newborn baby looks for his mother's breast with every movement. He may be capricious, turn his head, open his mouth in search, all these signs indicate the child’s desire to attach to the breast, not always for food, sometimes for comfort, and sometimes just to feel the mother’s warmth.
• Feed from one breast at one feeding. To ensure that your baby gets enough to eat, do not rush to change breasts during feeding. Try to feed him only from one breast at one feeding, since with prolonged sucking of the mammary gland, the baby “gets” to the hindmilk. It is thicker than the front, it contains fats and nutrients that maintain satiety. With the first liquid milk, the baby is more likely to drink than to eat. But it is also necessary to quench the child’s thirst.
• Without supplementary feeding . Lack of supplementary feeding and additional water is the main factor in the question of how to properly breastfeed a newborn. Until he is six months old, he doesn't need anything other than your milk. Supplementation and additional feeding disrupt the natural intestinal microflora and prolong the maturation process of the gastrointestinal tract.
• No pacifiers . A nipple, bottle, and pacifier are the main enemies of full breastfeeding. They develop incorrect sucking skills in the baby, which negatively affects the level of lactation, prevents complete emptying of the breast, and creates a risk of injury to the mother’s nipples due to improper latching.
• It is necessary to put the baby to the breast in the first minutes of life.

When the baby is latched correctly, the breast is stimulated to the required extent for milk production, and the baby, by sucking, requests the quantity and quality of milk he needs.

Also, proper attachment will protect you from troubles such as cracked nipples and so on. You can take the advice of an experienced relative or friend, or consult with a breastfeeding consultant at the maternity hospital. After all, the first attachments are the key to successful feeding in the future.

• Breastfeed your baby at night.


The break between feedings should not exceed 4 hours. This must also be monitored at night. If the child does not wake up to eat on his own, he should be woken up in order to offer the baby the breast at the right time. Night feedings are important to stimulate lactation. They maintain sufficient levels of prolactin, on which breast milk production depends. The largest amount of prolactin is produced at night, between 2 and 8 hours. It is recommended to follow this routine before the introduction of complementary foods, that is, until the baby is six months old.

How to properly attach your baby to the breast

How to prepare your breasts for feeding and learn how to latch on correctly? The importance of proper attachment of a newborn to the breast is very great, because the health of not only the baby, but also the mother directly depends on it. An incorrect procedure can lead to stagnation of milk and mastitis.


On the left is incorrect, on the right is correct attachment to the chest

The basic rule for how to properly attach a baby to the breast is that the baby should be given the breast as deeply as possible so that he has both a nipple and an areola in his mouth. To do this, you need to get into the upper part of the mouth that is already open in search, after which you simply press the child closer to you.

Let's try to figure out in more detail what and how to do. For a successful attachment, the child must open his mouth wide, as if yawning. To do this, choose a comfortable position. Tilting your head slightly forward will not work, since the tongue in this position rises, being behind the gums, and for comfortable sucking it should cover the lower gum from above and cover the chest.



Raising your head a little, you will notice that the mouth opens quite wide, and sticking out the tongue does not cause problems. It is necessary to provide the child with a position in which he can be with his mouth wide open and his neck straight, also make sure that there is no pressure on the back of the head, and give support to the neck and back.

It is of great importance to have a comfortable position for both mother and baby during this procedure. Having settled well, correct attachment is ensured. It is worth considering the fact that the baby should be calm when feeding. After all, any person concentrates better and performs work better when in a good mood.

Lack of milk: how to determine and stimulate its appearance?

It is important to remember that it is necessary to stimulate milk production only after making sure that the baby really does not have enough of it. Deficiency can be determined simply by observing the baby's behavior. It is necessary to increase lactation if:

• the baby expresses irritation at the end of feeding without falling asleep;
• cannot maintain the usual time between breastfeeding, waking up earlier;
• the appearance of “hungry” stool – it is liquid and has a brownish color;
• the child urinates less than 6 times per day;
• does not gain weight well.

If the baby has more than two of the above signs, It makes sense to stimulate lactation. This process is supported by:

• eliminating stress;
• compliance with feeding techniques;
• the use of additional means to help improve lactation. There are natural lactation stimulants. These are teas to increase it, such as “Lactaphytol”, “Hipp” and other drinks and products that are recommended for nursing mothers.




• expressing milk;
• drinking plenty of water. Try to drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day. By increasing the liquid, milk production can be increased. It is not recommended to drink cow's milk; it does not increase lactation, but can cause allergies or colic in a child.
• nipple stimulation. By stimulating the nipples, you can deceive the body, simulating an increased need for milk and causing an increase in its quantity in the mammary gland.

In addition, a nursing woman's diet should be balanced and varied. This helps the body perform its natural functions, enriches milk with the necessary vitamins and microelements that are necessary for the baby. The diet of a nursing mother should consist of proteins, fats and slow carbohydrates. It is advisable to exclude spicy, smoked, canned and other foods that retain water in the body; they can provoke allergies and reduce the production of breast milk.

Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Mammal” for lack of breast milk



The joy of motherhood can be spoiled by such an unpleasant phenomenon as a lack of breast milk for various reasons. Prayer before the “Mammal” icon of the Mother of God can help cope with such a problem. Women who have given birth most often turn to this image, asking for a blessing to feed their baby. People turn to the shrine with a petition to ensure that breastfeeding of the baby is successful and long-lasting.

Accept, Lady Theotokos, the tearful prayers of Your servants who flow to You. We see You on the holy icon, carrying in our arms and feeding with milk Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if you gave birth to Him painlessly, and even more so, the weight of maternal sorrows and infirmities of the sons and daughters of men is zrishi. With the same warmth falling upon Your whole-hearted image and tenderly kissing, we pray to You, All-Merciful Lady: we, sinners, condemned to give birth to illnesses and nourish our children in sorrows, graciously spare and compassionately intercede, but our babies, likewise the one who gave birth to them, from the grave Deliver from illness and bitter sorrow. Grant them health and well-being, and their nourishment will increase from strength to strength, and those who feed them will be filled with joy and consolation, as even now, through Your intercession, from the mouth of a child and those who piss, the Lord has fulfilled t Your praise. Oh, Mother of the Son of God! Have mercy on the mother of the sons of men and on Your weak people: quickly heal the illnesses that befall us, quench the sorrows and sorrows that are upon us, and do not despise the tears and sighs of Your servants . Hear us on the day of sorrow who fall before Your icon, and on the day of joy of deliverance receive the grateful praise of our hearts. Offer our prayers to the throne of Your Son and our God, that He may be merciful to our sin and weakness and add His mercy to those who know His Name, for we and our children will glorify You , merciful Intercessor and true hope of our race, forever and ever . Amen."

When is it necessary to express milk?

Immediately during the postpartum period, milk enters the breast quite actively. If the baby is not attached to the breast very often or incorrectly, it can become very large, which will cause discomfort for the mother. In this case, the milk needs to be expressed, the main thing is not to overdo it, as you can cause hyperlactation. It is necessary to stop when the breasts become soft.

When the milk ducts are blocked, lactostasis, painful lumps may appear, which can cause an increase in temperature. Milk is expressed from such areas. When the lumps dissolve, you need to regularly apply the baby to the breast, and then finish pumping on your own.

If a woman in labor takes antibiotics that are dangerous for the newborn, the baby is weaned from the breast while taking the medications. At the same time, they express up to 10 times a day. After recovery, breastfeeding continues. Premature babies and children with pathologies are fed expressed milk from a bottle. If the baby is not put to the breast 6 hours after birth, it is also necessary to start pumping. Sometimes an overfilled mammary gland becomes very hard, this prevents the baby from latching on to the nipple, in which case pumping will help relieve swelling of the gland. We'll talk about how to do this a little later.

How to express breast milk correctly?

You can express milk manually or with a breast pump. Breast pumps can be electric or manual. They must be thoroughly washed and sterilized before use. Cannot be used by women who have cracked nipples. When using this device, you must follow the attached instructions. They have a good effect when the breasts are full. In this case, you can carry out combined pumping: first with a breast pump, and then manually.



Electric breast pump

Having chosen to express manually, you need to do a light massage of the breast. In this process, you need to ensure smooth movements so as not to injure the areola. This activity can take up to half an hour.

How to store breast milk?

So, you need to collect milk in a clean, sterilized container. For long-term storage it is placed in the refrigerator. Breast milk contains antibodies that protect it from pathogenic bacteria. Milk can remain out of the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours.

In the refrigerator. Expressed milk can sit in the refrigerator for more than a week. The average temperature on the shelves is +4-6°C, which allows you to keep milk fresh for up to 5-6 days. At 0 to +3°C, the shelf life of breast milk is extended to 8 days. It is recommended to place the product further away, to the back wall of the refrigerator, where the temperature is lower.

Do not place expressed breast milk on the door, as frequent opening of the door will cause temperature changes. Such jumps are unfavorable because they allow the growth of harmful bacteria. Immediately after expressing milk, do not put it in the refrigerator. It is necessary to keep it indoors for some time.



In the freezer. Freezing allows you to preserve breast milk for a long period, since the temperature in the freezer compartments averages -18°C-24°C. The optimal temperature in this case is -18°C. Such storage conditions allow you to maintain freshness for just over 6-8 months. If the constant temperature range is from -20°C, then the shelf life of milk increases to 12 months. If it is not possible to set a low temperature, it is permissible to store the frozen product at -5-8°C. It will remain usable for six months.

Mommy's nutrition while breastfeeding

As mentioned above, the diet of a nursing mother should be balanced and contain many minerals and vitamins. Choosing a diet is quite difficult, because some foods are poorly tolerated by children. Some mothers draw up special meal schedules and note in them the child’s reaction to a particular product.



• Be sure to eat meat (200g), poultry fillet, lean fish, cottage cheese (100g), cheese (30g), vegetables (500g), fruits (300g), cream (15g) and vegetable (30g). ) oil.
• Foods that are well tolerated by babies: low-fat kefir and yogurt, sour cream, buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, potatoes, beef, turkey fillet, baked apples.

The basic rules when feeding an infant are:

• 5-6 meals a day for the mother (3 main meals and 2 snacks). It is better to time meals to coincide with feeding - the best time is 30 minutes before it.
• Boiled and steam cooking methods, avoidance of fatty and fried foods.
• Eating only freshly prepared natural food, excluding semi-finished products, products with dyes and preservatives, and all types of canned food.
• Introducing large amounts of dairy products containing calcium.
• Eating lean meats and fish.
• Compliance with the drinking regime - 1.5-1.6 liters per day (purified water, still table water, compotes, fruit drinks). Fluid intake is one of the important factors in prolonged lactation. You need to drink a glass of water 10 minutes before feeding. At the same time, you should not consume fluids in excess of the norm, which can cause swelling, stress on the kidneys and excess milk production and subsequently lactostasis .
• During lactation, foods that enhance fermentation are excluded (legumes, sweets, baked goods, kvass, black bread, bananas, grapes, sweet apples, pickled vegetables, white cabbage, cucumbers, carbonated drinks, confectionery, sweet cheeses, curd pastes and sweet cereals).
• Limit the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits, as in this form they increase peristalsis and cause bloating. For this reason, it is better to bake or stew vegetables and fruits and start consuming them in small portions, since a large amount of fiber can cause loose stools and bloating in a child.
• Vegetables with coarse fiber and essential oils, which are strong digestive stimulants (radish, radish, turnip, celery, sorrel, mushrooms), and can cause bloating and intestinal colic in a child, are not allowed.

Other products should be introduced gradually and with great caution, as they can cause allergies.

Prohibited consumption: legumes, cabbage, smoked and pickled meats, sausage, canned food, beer, kvass, coffee, caviar, drinks containing sugar.

Possible problems with breastfeeding

It would seem that breastfeeding is a natural process, however, mothers often encounter problems due to which they have to complete breastfeeding. Even if the mother is experienced and has not had her first child, she is not immune from problems with feeding. So what are the problems?

Breasts are full, milk is difficult to express, baby cannot latch on (swelling)



When transitional milk arrives on the 2-3rd day, the breasts, not knowing the baby’s needs, fill up and become heavy, full and painful. If before the baby took the breast with ease, now it is difficult for him to grasp the hard nipple. Considering that the first milk is produced both by the baby and expressed by the mother, it is very difficult. Because colostrum and first milk are quite viscous. The milk comes in, the baby cries because he is hungry, and it is difficult for him to grab the breast. If the mother does not attach the baby to the breast correctly, then lumps may appear in the breast. Increases in body temperature are also not uncommon.

So, if you have most of the following: symptoms, then we have the so-called breast engorgement:

• The chest feels “stony” and painful. The areola is hard, inelastic, and overcrowded.
• Pressing on the areola is painful, which makes it difficult to feed the baby.
• The nipple becomes invisible and flat.
• The milk does not flow out - swelling interferes, blocking its path.
• It may be difficult for the baby to latch on to such a breast; he slips from the dense areola onto the nipple or cannot latch on at all.
• Feeding often does not provide relief due to the fact that milk does not come out.
• Expressing milk isn't very good either.



So what should you do in such a situation? There is a way out, don’t be afraid, it’s not hard spanking, slapping the chest and painful kneading of lumps. There is no benefit to them. First you need to relieve the swelling and soften the areola so that the milk can come out freely.

There are A very effective technique is the technique of softening the areola with pressure according to Jean Cotterman.

To do this you need to gently With your fingers, gently and painlessly press the areola towards the chest and hold the pressure for at least 1 minute. If the swelling is severe, then do the exercise for 2-3 minutes, repeating as necessary.

For a while, the areola becomes soft and elastic again, and the nipple becomes more pronounced. But most importantly, the ducts are freed - the path for milk. The baby can latch on and get milk.



If mom's nails are short enough, she can simultaneously press on the areola with the bent fingers of both hands, while her nail plates will almost touch the nipple. The goal is to create a ring of 6-8 small dimples or indentations in the areola around the base of the nipple.

If mommy has severe swelling of the areola applies two finger pressure method. This method allows you to achieve a more uniform distribution of interstitial fluid .

The essence of the method is as follows.

If mom has short nails, she should make a “pit” in the central part of the areola. Grabbing the nipple, she needs to press her fingers inward, towards the chest for 1-3 minutes. In this case, the bent first phalanges of the fingers increase the area of ​​pressure. If necessary, you can turn your hand at a different angle and repeat.







Why does this help? The reason is this. Any excess intercellular fluid is temporarily pressed inward, in the direction of the natural outflow of lymph.
Longitudinal compression of the ducts under the areola displaces some of the milk back into the deeper ducts. Relieving tension in the walls of the congested ducts under the areola reduces discomfort during application. The elasticity of the nipple-areola complex increases, and as a result, the baby can pull it deeper into the mouth.
Almost always, after three minutes or even earlier, it is possible to trigger the milk release reflex due to uniform stimulation of the nerves going to the nipple and areola. This reflex pushes milk forward towards the nipple.
After using this method, additional manual expression is easier to further soften the areola.

For greater effect, we soften with pressure like this:

• We lie down on our backs. Place a pillow under your shoulder blades so that your chest is even higher.
• We throw the arm on the side of the chest that we plan to work with to the side.
• Several times with the edge of the palm we gently stroke the breast from the nipple towards the subclavian lymph nodes - i.e. to the collarbone, and to the axillary - to the armpit. Movement is as if we are dispersing water. The goal is to preliminarily “disperse” the swelling. It is he who gives the pain and stoneness, and not the milk itself (technique and idea of ​​Jean Cotterman, Maya Bolman, Tatyana Kondrashova).



After this – actually softening with pressure – we place our fingers around the areola and hold the “daisy”. Minimum one minute, longer if swelling is severe. You will feel the areola becoming softer, your fingers seem to sink deeper.

When the areola is completely soft and painless when squeezed, you can apply the baby. Or express if he is not breastfeeding yet. Now the milk will flow out and the sucking will be effective, the breast will soften further. The best position for feeding is to place your baby on top of your chest. The nursing woman herself needs to take a reclining position.

After feeding, you can apply a cabbage leaf, after preliminary washing and softening with a rolling pin.

Remember, if you soften the areola, freeing the ducts from being compressed by edema, the milk will flow, and engorgement can actually be removed almost painlessly!

Cracked nipples during breastfeeding, what to do?

Approximately the fifth day after birth, if the baby is not latched to the breast correctly, cracks and abrasions may form on the nipples. At this point, consultation with a breastfeeding specialist is advisable.

Basic rules:

• The baby should attach to the breast, grasping the areola (more than one nipple);
• Take less time to suck on a sore breast;
• Lubricate the nipple with “Bepanten” or “Solcoseryl”, take a damp cloth and apply it to the mammary gland, cover it with polyethylene and put on a bra. Before feeding your baby, you should rinse your breasts with warm water.

To prevent cracks and pain in the nipples, you need to: master the correct feeding technique, do not use breast pads for feeding, remove the breast from the baby’s mouth with your little finger, after feeding the baby, lubricate the nipples with your own milk and let it dry, wash your breasts every day, at least once.