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Many may not realize it but feeding a newborn baby is more difficult than it looks. It can especially be overwhelming for a woman who does not have experience with babies. If you are expecting your first baby, then you should know the basics of feeding a newborn. Here are seven tips that can help new moms to make newborn feeding easier:
Breastfeed Right Away After Giving Birth
According to research, the most effective way for the mother to establish an easy feeding process is by breastfeeding right away. If possible, the breastfeeding must be done within the first few hours of birth. This is when the colostrum, which is the yellowish substance that comes out before the actual milk, is produced. Colostrum is something that can help the baby grow healthier.
This is also the reason why new mothers are encouraged to have immediate skin-to-skin contact with the baby right after delivery. It is crucial as it sends signals to the brain and body of the mom to produce milk. It also encourages the baby to start taking breast milk.
Make It A Priority And Leave Most Housework To Others
You are not a superhero. You should acknowledge that you went through an extremely painful situation, which is why you will have limited movement for the next few weeks. You are also still establishing breastfeeding habits with your baby.
Do not hesitate to request help from other people around with housework. It is the least they can do after the nine months you spent carrying the baby. Even if you are not breastfeeding, you need to rest well. You should also keep yourself healthy by eating lean meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
Moisturize Your Nipples
Your nipples are incredibly sensitive during the breastfeeding phase. It is important for mothers to keep their nipples moisturized so that it will not feel too sore and chapped. It will also prevent the skin surrounding the nipples from being cracked.
What you can do to moisturize your nipples is applying purified lanolin nipple cream or nursing ointment. Additionally, you can also wipe some excess breast milk on it and rub around the skin.
Get The Baby To Open Their Mouth Wide
Mothers need to realize that if the breastfeeding is to be effective, the baby must be attached not just to the nipple. This means that the baby must have a wide, open mouth so that the milk from the milk ducts around the nipple pour into the mouth of the child. If the baby’s mouth is not opened wide enough, they will not be getting as much milk and will be causing you pain.
Position The Baby For Good Latch
If done right, breastfeeding is actually not painful. It is all a matter of positioning so that the baby can best latch on to the breast. The general area of your nipple must be in the baby’s mouth, with the nipple feeling the back of their mouth. This will make it comfortable enough for both the baby and the mother.
As a general rule of thumb, you want the baby to latch on to the breast tightly. An indicator that you can look for is when their cheek and chin seem like they are attached to you. The lips must also not be visible when they are already sucking on your nipple. After breastfeeding, your nipples and the surrounding areas should feel a bit softer.
Keep Track Of The Dirty Diapers
One of the best indicators that the baby is getting enough milk is the number of dirty diapers they are producing. Generally speaking, a baby should be able to see four to five diapers that are covered with either stool or urine.
Monitor The Weight Of The Baby
You want to make sure that the baby is getting as much food as they can take. One of the easiest ways to track their food intake is by looking at their weight. For the first few days, if the baby lost more than 10 percent by the time you get to your first visit to the pediatrician, you should worry about it. This means that the baby is not eating enough.
Another thing that you should watch out for is when your breasts are not engorged with milk five days after you give birth.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding your baby should always a top priority for a new mom. If you ever find it difficult to produce enough breast milk for your baby, do not just go for a random baby formula. Always look for the formula closest to breast milk to ensure your baby gets the right kind of food for his or her health. Going for a baby formula should be only the last resort and not an immediate choice.
Consult your doctor about different ways you can produce more breast milk for your newborn. Consult moms of multiple healthy kids and you should get plenty of good advice to follow and ensure you are doing the best to keep your baby healthy and happy.
