How To Feed A Newborn Baby By Breast?

Breastfeeding is highly recommended as it has a host of benefits for your baby. A mother's breast milk is replete in nutritional value - from containing required minerals and vitamins to antibodies, consumption of breast milk helps babies remain protected from catching diseases and infections. Breast milk is also known to prevent the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Generally, it is recommended that mothers feed their babies breast milk because such babies are less likely to develop allergies, diabetes, or issues like asthma. Feeding babies breast milk also helps mothers manage the baby's weight and keep it controlled.

As a new mother, you may be unsure about how to feed a newborn baby at first - but it's easy, and one naturally catches on to the technique. It is important to hold the baby in a way that supports their neck and shoulders and allows them to lean or tilt back so they can easily swallow breast milk. When breastfeeding, bring the baby to the breast and allow it to latch onto your breast instead of leaning forward to aid the baby to attach itself.

General Tips Before Breastfeeding Your Newborn Baby

As a new parent, you may be looking for the best ways to breastfeed your newborn baby. Here are some tips to be mindful of -

• Understand your baby's needs through signs like the baby opening & closing its mouth, tilting its head in anticipation of food, or sticking its tongue out.

• Allow your baby to understand how long it needs to nurse instead of setting specific times.

• Avoid waking up a sleeping baby just to feed it; let the baby wake up and ask to be nursed.

• Breastfeeding is a process that may go on for months, so it's important for you to feel comfortable doing it. Use a feeding bra and baby wipes to ensure that the process remains smooth for you and the baby.

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• Give your baby the allowance to find a position that is comfortable for breastfeeding. Help your baby breastfeed in a way that is not uncomfortable for them, and allows them to hold onto a mouthful of the breast.

How To Hold Your Baby While Breastfeeding?

Wondering what the best position to hold your baby while breastfeeding is?

Try this - put your baby in the crook of the opposite arm from the breast that you are feeding it from. For example, if the baby is feeding from the right breast, then hold it on the left crook of the arm. Give the baby enough support by holding the back of its head using an open hand. Use your other hand to cup the breast from under, much like a U-shaped hold. Through this process, guide the baby to put its mouth on the breast. Avoid leaning forward to give the breast to the baby; instead, let it latch onto the breast.

Best Position For Moms While Breastfeeding Baby

As a mom, it can be challenging to find the right and most comfortable position to breastfeed your baby from. One of the best positions is sitting upright on a comfortable chair that has armrests. This position will make it easy for you to put the baby in front of your body, in a way that the baby's tummy is facing your tummy.

How Often You Should Feed Your Baby?

When mothers begin breastfeeding, typically there is a 2-4 gap between every feed. Young mothers need to constantly wake up to ensure the baby is getting fed. It takes some time for the baby to become accustomed to breastfeeding, and for the mother to understand the feed timings. For some babies, the feeding time may be more frequent, with a feed requirement almost every hour. This is known as cluster feeding. Some babies might have a longer feed time if they sleep for at least 4-5 hours without a feed. Depending on the day and as the baby grows, the feed timings might vary.

How To Know If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?

One of the best signs to understand if your baby is getting enough milk, is to notice how calm and relaxed they appear during the feed. Try to understand how well the baby latches onto the breast by itself, or comes off the breast once the feed is done. A baby's mouth will be moist after it is done feeding, and you will notice a look of contentment on the baby's countenance. This will help you understand that your baby is getting enough milk.

How To Know If Your Baby Is Latched On?

Wondering if your baby is latched on tight? The signs of a good latch include a pain free and comfortable feeding cycle. Your baby should ideally be in a position where their chin touches your breast, and its mouth is open wide around the breast instead of just on the nipple.

Conclusion

A happy and healthy baby is a sign that you are breastfeeding the baby well. It takes young mothers some time for their baby to get used to breastfeeding; if at first, you don't succeed, don't worry. You might feel some tenderness at first, and your baby might take some time to get used to latching onto your breast, but once it does, the overall breastfeeding process becomes smooth.

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