In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, lactation consultant and midwife Katie James answers by far the most common questions new mothers have.
Your breasts make milk based on a system called supply and demand. The greater your baby breastfeeds (demands) the greater number of milk your breasts produce (supply).
Sometimes a parent may ask, “Can my baby in reality be hungry again?”
The solution is yes.
In their first month of life, but if your baby is awake they can be awake for food. Babies could quite possibly have times when they prefer to be held or moved around but usually if they are awake in your first month it is good to offer them the breast.
As they grow and acquire into their second and third month of life you may find your baby’s feeding pattern changes and settles down. They will need longer periods for being awake to try out and connect to you; employing this early phase feeding is essential.
Breastfeeding patterns of young babies
A recent study looked over the breastfeeding patterns of babies 1 to 6 months old. The results showed big variations in how often babies’ breastfeed you can stage.
The results showed, mostly:
Comparing how frequently baby feeds to anyone else’s baby often causes stress. Every person has different volume of milk producing cells, resulting in our breasts hold different quantities at every feed. Plus, breastmilk often has different quantities of fat at any one single feed, which also impacts on what often bub has got to feed.
No two women are indifferent and nor are their?babies’ feeding patterns.
Instead of counting feeds to calculate how much milk your little one is getting, be aware of how your baby is acting, and how your body feels.
If it’s quite yes, then make a difference your baby feeds frequently or maybe breasts have settled down and without longer feel full, you may have great milk supply.
If the answer then is no, it’s best to visit your Maternal Child Health Nurse or Lactation Consultant to get more detailed support and helpful tips.
A friendly reminder
Remember you can always find days where the feeding ‘pattern’ you and your baby have settled into usually fly out of window with your baby suddenly seeking to feed all enough time.
These days occurs and go. Babies browse through many developmental growth spurts, and frequently this may mean the whole world appears overwhelming for many years as their brain develops. The simplest way for a baby to feel safe and nurtured, so to settle down will be to seek out a breastfeed.
This is usual human development.
It does not you are doing anything ‘wrong’ in regards to breastfeeding. Truly means a baby is breastfeeding not only to satisfy their hunger, but more to feel safe, nurtured, and boosted with those wonderful happiness inducing hormones.
The most important is aim to go with the flow. Breastfeed around your baby needs and be aware that this is just an everyday phase. With a few days things will subside again.
Brought for you personally by Medela Australia
Written by Katie James, RM, MMid, IBCLC
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