![]() turn their head and open their mouth (rooting).It's not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby. It's fine to feed your baby whenever they are hungry, when your breasts feel full or if you just want to have a cuddle. They'll begin to have fewer, but longer feeds after a few days.Īs a very rough guide, your baby should feed at least 8 to 12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks. It could be every hour in the first few days.įeed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. In the first week, your baby may want to feed very often. Sometimes you'll notice your milk letting down in response to your baby crying or when you have a warm bath or shower. Ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter to check your baby's positioning and attachment. If your baby seems to be falling asleep before the deep swallowing stage of feeds, they may not be properly attached to the breast. Your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter can help with this. Occasionally this let-down reflex can be so strong that your baby coughs and splutters. Babies often pause after the initial quick sucks while they wait for more milk to be delivered. Their quick sucks will change to deep rhythmic swallows as the milk begins to flow. You'll see your baby respond when your milk lets down. Some women get a tingling feeling, which can be quite strong. Your baby's sucking causes muscles in your breasts to squeeze milk towards your nipples. The more you breastfeed, the more your baby's sucking will stimulate your supply and the more milk you'll make. They'll begin to have fewer, but longer feeds once your breasts start to produce more "mature" milk after a few days. Your baby may want to feed quite often, perhaps every hour to begin with. It's a very concentrated food, so your baby will only need a small amount, about a teaspoonful, at each feed. It's thick and usually a golden yellow colour. The fluid your breasts produce in the first few days after birth is called colostrum. If your baby is delivered by caesarean, you should still be able to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight after delivery. They can also help you have skin-to-skin contact with your baby as soon as it's possible. If necessary, your midwife will show you how to express your breast milk until your baby is ready to breastfeed. You'll still be able to bond with and breastfeed your baby if skin-to-skin contact is delayed for some reason, for example if your baby needs to spend some time in special care. It also helps your baby attach to your breast using their natural crawling and latching-on reflexes. It will help to comfort you and your baby over the first few days and weeks as you get to know each other. ![]() Skin-to-skin contact is good at any time. If you need any help, your midwife will support you with positioning and attachment. It's also a great time to have your first breastfeed. Skin-to-skin time can be a bonding experience for you and your baby. Skin-to-skin means holding your baby naked or dressed only in a nappy against your skin, usually under your top or under a blanket. ![]() Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight after giving birth will help to keep them warm and calm and steady their breathing. Or visit your local Children's Centre.įind a Sure Start Children's Centre on GOV.UK. You can find out more by asking your midwife, health visitor, local peer supporter or GP. There are lots of groups and drop-ins, some specially designed for pregnant women who want to know more about breastfeeding. You can find out about breastfeeding from your midwife, family and friends, and useful helplines and websites. It may help you feel more confident when you start breastfeeding your baby.Īntenatal classes usually cover the most important aspects of breastfeeding, such as positioning and attachment, expressing, and how to tackle common breastfeeding problems. It's good to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding before you have your baby. But nearly all women produce enough milk for their baby. This happens faster for some women than others. It may take time for both of you to get the hang of breastfeeding. In the first few days, you and your baby will be getting to know each other.
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