Breastfeeding Your Baby: the First Few Weeks

healthy living Breastfeeding Your Baby: The First Few Weeks

Allow your baby to nurse for as long • If your baby is upset, place the as he or she wants. If your baby is baby on your uncovered chest, still hungry after finishing the first skin-to-skin, in an upright posi- breast, offer the second breast. Some tion. Sing or talk to your baby newborn babies may nurse for about until calm. Baby may start to move 10 to 15 minutes on each breast. into feeding position. Others may nurse for 15 to 20 • Cradle your baby with one arm and minutes on only one side per feeding. hold your breast with the hand of You should wake your baby up to eat the other arm. if more than 3 hours have passed • Support your breast by placing your since the last feeding. thumb lightly above the areola (dark Feedings should be timed from the area around the nipple) and your beginning of one to the beginning of fingers under the breast. Do not the next. place your fingers on the dark area. • Make sure that your baby’s head is Unless your baby’s doctor tells you to, at the level of your breast and that don’t offer any supplements such as his or her nose is lined up with water or formula. your nipple. Your baby’s face, chest, reastfeeding is the natural way and knees should be turned toward to provide all the nutrition your How do I help my baby latch B onto my breast? you so that the two of you are baby needs. Kaiser Permanente tummy to tummy. Find a comfortable chair to sit in. endorses the American Academy of • Tickle the baby’s lips with your Place pillows behind your back and Pediatrics’ guidelines to feed your nipple and wait for the baby to on your sides to support your body baby only breast milk for the first 6 open wide. months of life. Breastfeeding works and another pillow on your lap to support your baby. Next, get your • Quickly bring your baby onto on a supply and demand basis: The your breast. more your baby nurses, the more baby comfortable: milk you will produce. It may take • Unwrap and undress your baby. • Make sure your baby is taking the some time for your body to get into Leave only the diaper on. nipple and a good portion of the a rhythm, so be patient and keep Swaddling is good for sleeping, but areola in his or her mouth. trying. Breastfeeding is a learned not for breastfeeding. Make sure your baby’s lower lip is skill. It takes practice! • If room is cool, cover both of you sticking out and that his or her chin is touching your breast. Getting a good start with a blanket. Breastfeeding should begin within the first hour of your baby’s life. WAYS TO HOLD YOUR BABY FOR BREASTFEEDING Nurse whenever your baby wants to eat (at least 8 to 12 times per day). This is called feeding on-demand. Put your baby to your breast at the first sign of hunger (i.e., stirring about in the bassinette, rooting, making sucking motions, or tongue CRADLE HOLD CROSS-CRADLE CLUTCH OR LYING DOWN WHILE movement). HOLD FOOTBALL HOLD FEEDING

HEALTH EDUCATION healthy living Breastfeeding Your Baby: The First Few Weeks

What can I do to prevent and How do I know if my baby is try to limit your caffeine intake to relieve engorgement (swollen getting enough to eat? 1 to 2 cups a day while breastfeeding. breasts)? Breastfed babies normally nurse very Most medications are safe to take Your breasts may become engorged frequently in the first couple of while breastfeeding, but there are a (swell) during the first few days of months. Because of this, many new few that can be harmful to your baby. breastfeeding, or when you cut back mothers worry about whether their Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and on nursing. Regular, frequent breast- babies are getting enough milk. Make ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are safe feeding is the best way to prevent sure to feed your baby whenever you to take while nursing, but aspirin and relieve engorgement. see signs of hunger. Your baby is should be avoided. You should let Here are some other tips: getting enough to eat if, by the third your practitioner and your baby’s • Take a warm shower or apply moist day of life, your baby: pediatrician know that you are heat to the breast before nursing. • Has 3 or more wet diapers every breastfeeding. Let your pharmacist • Express milk from the nipple and 24 hours. (Highly absorbent and your practitioner know about all areola area of your breast before disposable diapers can make it hard medications, including nonprescrip- nursing to help with latch-on. to tell if your baby has urinated.) tion, over-the-counter drugs and • Apply a cool compress to the breast • Has 3 to 4 loose, yellow stools herbal products that you take. Also, after nursing. every 24 hours, not meconium take medication just after you nurse • Take a pain reliever such as Aceta- (sticky, dark green stools). rather than just before nursing. minophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen • Has brief active periods. (Advil, Motrin). Avoid aspirin. • Makes swallowing sounds after Additional resources How can I prevent sore or every 1 to 3 sucking movements. cracked nipples? • American Academy of Pediatrics: You should feel some breast fullness aap.org Proper positioning will help you and may notice drippings from the prevent soreness and cracking. opposite breast while nursing. • The American College of • Vary your nursing position from Breastfed babies should be seen Obstetricians & Gynecologists: acog.org time to time to relieve the pressure by a medical professional between on your nipples. Try sitting up, 2 to 4 days of age and again at • La Leche League International: lying down, and switching between lalecheleague.org 2 weeks, to check for signs of The Nursing Mother’s Companion different ways of holding your baby successful breastfeeding. • while breastfeeding. by Kathleen Huggins (Harvard • When you are done nursing, break Are there foods or medications Common Press, revised 2005). the suction by putting your finger that I should avoid? Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven • Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers in the corner of the baby’s mouth In general, there aren’t any foods you by Nancy Mohbacker and between the gums. should not eat while nursing. It’s T • When using breast pads, make sure important not to diet while nursing Kathleen Kedall- acket (New they are clean and dry. Harbinger Publications, 2005) because you’re eating for both you kp.org • Wash your breasts with water only. and your baby. The best rule is to eat • Connect to our Web site at • Use only pure lanolin creams on and drink enough to satisfy your to access health and drug encyclo- your breast. The cream does not hunger and thirst. While you’re nurs- pedias, interactive programs, health need to be removed before feeding. ing, avoid drinking alcohol and using classes, and more. • Apply breast milk to sore areas. tobacco and drugs because they pass • Contact your Kaiser Permanente If sore nipples, engorgement, or poor into your milk and they can harm Health Education Center or latch-on persist, talk with your your baby. Since too much caffeine Department for health information, programs, and other resources. practitioner or a lactation consultant. can cause poor sleeping and fussiness, This information is not intended to diagnose or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse any brand name: any similar products may be used.