How often should I breast feed?

There are varying schools of thought on how often to feed, on demand or at a set time usually evey four hours, this is your baby and the choice is yours.

If you choose to feed on demand there are signs to pick up on before they cry with hunger. Look out for them putting a finger in the mouth, and turning the head from side to side looking for the breast, sucking through jumpers or at other peoples breasts. You will soon see the signs and avoid the tears. It can be very tiring to feed on demand many women say they now know how a cow feels but some people feel it is beneficial as it keeps milk supplies strong. But expressing milk and storing it in the fridge for some one else to feed can help to alleviate this feeling and allow you the freedom to get on with other things in you life.

Expressing the milk is a great idea and it has saved many a frantic mum who wants to leave the baby either to go out or to go back to work, or just have a break. It is best to avoid too much alcohol when you are brest feeding as it may affect the babies feeding,sleeping or digestion.

How to breast feed

During the first few days the nipple is getting used to being taken into baby's mouth and baby is learning how to feed from the nipple. It's important for both of you to be relaxed and comfortable; you may be feeding for an hour or so, so propyourself up before you start cause even small babies can scream if you take away their dinner. At this age a baby may not yet know how to open his or her mouth widely enough. If this happens, you can squeeze out a little milk from your breast, open baby's mouth with your clean finger, and put a little milk in to start baby off. Wait for the baby's mouth to open, then guide the breast in - not just the nipple.

Most people don't realise but in order for a baby to suck properly, the baby squeezes the area behind the nipple with his or her whole mouth. When the baby finishes sucking the first breast, put your finger into the baby's mouth to release the sucking, and offer the other breast. At the next feed, start the other way round. When the baby has had enough, he or she will just usually fall asleep.

It is important to use both breast equally as the child’s sucking stimulate the milk production. Each time you feed, you should stay on one breast until it feels empty that is usually at least ten to fifteen minutes. This is because the milk that comes at the end of a feed is much richer and more satisfying.

Breast feeding - why do it?

Health profesionals recommend that women who don't have any health
problems should try to give their babies breast milk for at least the first six months of life. Many woman breast feed for longer but most stop when baby starts biting!!

Breast feeding offers many benefits to the baby; breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect your infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections.

One of the main benefits for the mother is that breast feeding helps you to loose that pregnancy jelly belly, a good enough reason to try for us, even if there were no health benefits for the baby.

The most important period in establishing breastfeeding is the first week. The earliest days are the hardest, but with a little knowledge you can do it! The earlier you put the baby to the breast, the earlier the breast milk should come. Your breasts work on the simple principle of supply and demand.

In the first few hours and days your breasts produce a thin, cloudy, yellow substance called colostrum and it is of enormous value to your baby. There is absolutely no substitute for colostrum in doing good for your baby. It gives him or her protection against disease that will last for several months. Don't let it go to waste!