Breastfeeding Basics

#2: The formula feeding baby should not be used as the measure of normal for a breastfeeding baby. There are differences in weight gain and feeding patterns between formula and breastfed infants, but breastfeeding is the “biologicial norm” for human babies. For growth charts that reflect the growth curve of a breastfed baby, see the World Health Organisation site here

#3: Frequent feeds are normal for a newborn. Breastfeeding newborns can feed every 1-3 hours - this is absolutely normal. As he gets older, he will start to go longer between feeds.

#4: A baby who is wetting and soiling 8-10 nappies a day, gaining weight and is generally happy and alert is getting enough milk. If it isn’t going in, it wouldn’t be coming out either.

#5: Breastfeeds do not need to be timed. Some babies are fast efficient feeders and will only feed for 10 minutes. Others like to linger and may take an hour. Either is normal as long as your baby is showing the signs above that he is getting enough. Allow your baby to feed for as long as it wants to. Marathon feeds will settle with time.

#6: Baby does not have to take both breasts at every feed. Offer the second one, if he doesn’t want it – he probably isn’t hungry anymore. So start with that one at the next feed. Feeding this way has the added benefit of ensuring baby gets to the hindmilk - the richer milk which comes later in the feed.

#7: Breastfed babies will usually have multiple soiled nappies in a day which are soft and yellow in colour and “seedy”, almost like mustard. This is not diarrhoea and is normal for the breastfed newborn.

#8: Newborns often go through “growth spurts” at around one week, three weeks, and six weeks when they may feed almost constantly for a day or two and be quite unsettled. This does not mean you are losing your milk or that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat. The baby is just telling your body it needs to “up production”, so that you will have enough milk to meet his needs as he grows (see #1!).

#9: No matter how poor your diet is postpartum, your milk is still nutritionally sound and the best food for your baby. Just as in pregnancy, your body will take what it needs for your milk, and leave the rest for you.

#10: Seek breastfeeding advice from those who are qualified in breastfeeding. It may surprise you to learn that many GP's and Child Health Nurses have no specialised training in breastfeeding and often give outdated and incorrect advice. If you're having a problem that is making it difficult to continue breastfeeding, seek advice from the Australian Breastfeeding Association, or a certified lactation consultant.

Labels: breastfeeding