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Reliable information on
pregnancy topics
by Heisje de Jong,
Certified Lactation Consultant
 Welcome
(home page)
Your
pre-conception diet
Home pregnancy tests
Early signs of pregnancy
Diet for your pregnancy
Things to give up
Lifestyle changes
Childbirth classes
Breastfeeding - preparation
Complications during
pregnancy
Prenatal testing
Pregnancy Week-by-Week
When to contact your doctor
What to ask your obstetrician
Hospital or home delivery?
And your Packing Guide!
Pain relief in labor
& birth
Medical intervention
during
labor and delivery
Post partum exercises
 Breastfeeding
About Heisje de Jong
Useful links
Contact Heisje
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GETTING STARTED WITH BREASTFEEDING
(For more information on breastfeeding
I recommend you check out my site Breastfeeding
Help! where you'll find all the tools you need for a happy
and satisfying breastfeeding experience without problems.)
When do I start breastfeeding?
The sooner the better.
Put your baby to the breast soon after birth, his sucking instinct
is strongest the first hour after birth. The baby's sucking will
contract your uterus and this will help to expel the placenta.
Breastfeeding soon and often from the beginning can help prevent
painful engorgement and your milk will come in sooner.
COLOSTRUM.
In the first few days after birth
your baby will drink colostrum. This is a yellowish fluid high
in protein and antibodies. It is the ideal food for your baby
this first few days. It is easily digested and works slightly
laxative so your baby will pass his first stool, the meconium,
faster which helps prevent jaundice.
NIPPLE CARE.
It is not necessary to clean
your nipples before a feeding. Washing with plain water when
you take your shower is enough. As with prenatal nipple care,
don't use soap or alcohol on your nipples. It is important to
let your nipples dry after each feeding, leave your bra open
for a few minutes. Wear a well fitting bra, preferable cotton
material. You may want to use breast pads in the first weeks
of breastfeeding when your breasts may leak sometimes. Buy the
ones without plastic lining and change them often.
HOW OFTEN DO I FEED THE BABY?
It is better not to feed your
baby on a nursing schedule or to limit the time baby nurses on
the breast. Breastmilk is easily digested and breastfed babies
usually want to breastfeed every 2-3 hours. Let your baby decide
when and how long he wants to nurse. Breastfeeding is a very
natural process, your breasts produce milk in answer to your
baby feeding at your breast. The more your baby nurses the more
milk you will produce. If your baby sleeps a lot during the day
you'll have to wake him up for a feed.
BOTTLES AND PACIFIERS.
Normally it is not necessary
to give your baby supplementary bottles with formula, tea or
glucose water. All your baby needs is your milk. By giving bottles
to your baby your milk supply will go down and it can also confuse
your baby. Sucking from a bottle teat (or pacifier)is different
than from your breast. Some babies who get bottles in the beginning
don't know how to breastfeed properly anymore or refuse the breast
altogether.
HOW TO POSITION YOUR BABY AT
THE BREAST.
Proper positioning of the baby
is very important, it can prevent you from getting sore nipples
and other breastfeeding problems. First, sit in a comfortable
chair supported by pillows if necessary. Have baby lying on a
pillow on your lap, place him on his side so he faces you with
his whole body. His mouth should be in front of your breast.
Hold your breast with your fingers underneath and your thumb
on top of your breast. Tickle baby's under lip with your nipple
until baby opens his mouth wide. Quickly center your nipple in
his mouth and pull baby close to you. Make sure your baby has
not only the nipple in his mouth but also a part of the areola.
To take baby from the breast later you can put your finger in
the side of his mouth to break the suction. Never pull baby from
the breast, this can damage your nipple.
HOW LONG TO BREASTFEED?
If your baby is positioned well,
breastfeeding shouldn't hurt and you can nurse as long as your
baby wants. Let him nurse on one side for 10-15 minutes, then
put him on the other side. You can burp him first if necessary.
Let him nurse on this side as long as he wants. The next feeding
you start on the side you last finished with. It is best to give
both breasts at each feeding to stimulate your milk supply.
IS BABY GETTING ENOUGH?
It is not necessary to weigh
your baby before and after each feeding. If he has 5-6 wet diapers
and 2 or more bowel movements per day he is getting enough. A
weight gain of 4-8 ounces per week is enough. Many babies lose
some weight in the first few days. This is normal and it may
take 2-3 weeks to regain their birth weight.
GROWTH SPURTS.
Sometimes your baby may suddenly
want to nurse more often than before. What is happening? Your
baby is growing rapidly and needs more milk for his growing body.
By nursing more often your breasts will produce more milk. Usually
this growth spurts happen around 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.
NIGHT FEEDINGS.
During the first months your
baby needs to nurse also during the night, at least once. If
you go 6 hours or more without nursing, your breasts may become
engorged and this can cause other breastfeeding problems. Night
feedings interrupt your sleep and you may feel tired during the
day. What can you do to make things easier?
* Put baby's bassinet next to your bed so you don't have to get
up.
* Have diapers, baby wipes and breast pads etc. handy on your
night table.
* Taking your baby in bed with you to nurse will make it easier
for both of you to fall asleep again.
* Wear clothing that opens easily for nursing.
* Nurse your baby just before you go to sleep yourself, like
this you'll have at least a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.
* Try to catch up on some sleep when your baby sleeps during
the day, or at least lie down and get some rest.
WHEN YOUR BABY CRIES.
Most of the time your baby will
be crying because he is hungry. But there can be other reasons
as well.He may be too cold or warm, or maybe he needs to burp
or pass stool. Maybe he is very tired or overexcited if there
have been many visitors. Maybe he just wants to be with you.
Babies need lots of physical contact, your smell, your warmth,
your voice and your heartbeat are very reassuring for him. Some
babies have a strong sucking need, many times all that is needed
to calm a crying baby is to put him to your breast. A baby sling
or carrier is handy to keep your baby close and still have your
hands free. Sometimes you don't know why your baby cries and
what you can do for him. This is very upsetting. Try to stay
calm, don't let your baby "cry it out" as sometimes
still is advised. When your baby cries he really needs you and
even though you feel that there is nothing you can do and nothing
seems to help, just being there for him means already a lot.
Don't be afraid for spoiling your
baby. Listen to your heart and instinct that tell you to pick
up your baby and calm him. You can't spoil a baby by loving and
comforting him when he cries.
For more information on breastfeeding
I recommend you check out my site Breastfeeding
Help! where you'll find all the tools you need for a happy
and satisfying breastfeeding experience without problems.
AscotReview, award-winning Shopping Directory
JCPenney Department
Store - the total resource for *all* your baby & family needs
Your most Reliable department store with a huge variety of quality
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Sears Room for
Kids, furniture, bedding and fun things for kid's rooms
The best place to shop for all things kids! Kid's bedding, kid's
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baby bedding, safety products. (90-HP-7)
Eddie Bauer,
fine kids' clothing, men's and women's apparel, footwear, travel
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Eddie Bauer offers casual lifestyle products for adults and kids.
Eddie Bauer products are for men and women who seek versatile,
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Jordan Marie
Baby Boutique, exclusive baby clothing from birth to 4T
Whether shopping for a child or purchasing a gift for a friend
you will absolutely love the unique product selection of layette,
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ve delighted parents and gift seekers alike with their picture
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Spiegel, home
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Spiegel creates products especially for the today's woman that
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Carter's fine collection of baby and
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Carter's excellent collection includes baby clothes, shoes and
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OshKosh B'Gosh
- quality stylish baby, toddler and children clothing, bedding
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MotherWear, fashion
for the young & nursing mother - nurse your baby anytime,
anywhere
Motherwear is your one-stop resource for nursing clothes that
help you breastfeed in style -- anytime, anywhere -- . Motherwear
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All about baby and toddler at Babystyle - fine
quality at prices you will love
Babystyle is an online retailer providing shopping solutions
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targets one of life’s biggest changes -- a new family member!
As a one-stop shop, their baby department offers everything including
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iMaternity, your
maternity everything store
iMaternity provides you with high quality products, excellent
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planner, baby name finder, pregnancy glossary and more
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