Since it is my first time to be a mom, yesterday I attended a lecture about Breastfeeding. Here are the things we discuss about Breastfeeding.
1. Put the baby to the breast as soon as possible.
2. Baby needs to nurse 10-12 times in 24 hours. The more you nurse the more milk you will have.
3. Warm showers or compresses before feeding.
4. Use gentle finger pressure around the base of the nipple to move some of the swelling slightly backward and upward into the breast.
5. Easily digested human milk passes quickly through the digestive system. This is why breastfed babies wake at night to eat.
6. After milk comes in: 5-6 wet disposable diapers in 24 hours. And 2-5 bowel movements per day mean baby is getting enough milk.
7. Milk changes throughout the feeding. Express one drop of milk before and after a feeding and see the difference. Foremilk is watery to satisfy thirst. Hindmilk is creamy to satisfy hunger.
8. Ensuring adequate milk supply, finish the first breast first. Offer the other breast if baby is still hungry.
9. Use breast compression to keep baby interested and awake during feedings.
10. Remember correct positioning and latching are the most important for preventing sore nipples.
11. Break suction before taking the baby off the breast. Offer the least sore breast first. Use only plain water for washing.
12. Use ultra pure modified lanolin, like HPA® Lanolin, or hydrogel pads without cloth backing to speed healing.
13. If milk becomes blocked a tender lump may appear in the breast. Make sure to apply heat, get plenty of rest, nurse frequently and check positioning.
14. Baby may nurse more often at times to build milk supply. “Frequency days” pften occur around 3 weeks of age.
15. If you are back to work, find out about facilities at work for expressing and storing your milk. It is best to wait until milk supply is well established.
16. Pump or express milk at work. Take milk home for the next day’s feedings.
17. Babies who are feeding well do not need bottles.
18. If using bottle while separated from baby, use a slow-flow nipple. Fast-flow nipples may confuse baby and cause him to reject feeding at the breast.
